Letter from the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Leaders of Jerusalem to Sir Moses Montefiore, Jerusalem ...

Letter from the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Leaders of Jerusalem to Sir Moses Montefiore, Jerusalem 1855

Rare letter from the great rabbinical leaders of both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi sectors of Jerusalem, addressed to Sir Moses Montefiore.

The letter thanks Sir Moses Montefiore for "the generosity of his pure heart for the good of the Bikkur Cholim and Hachnassas Kallah, " and is signed by the Rishon Letzion Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki and Rabbi Nissan Bek.

The letter boasts the impressive seals of Kollel Prushim and the Bikkur Cholim and Hachnassas Kallah Organization.

Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia (1798 - 1861) was a prominent Rishon Letzion, known by all as Rabbi H"ana. Born in Tveria, he served in the rabbinate for many years prior to his move to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem he was appointed Rishon Letzion and served in this capacity until his passing.

Rabbi Shmuel Salant (1816 - 1909) was a rabbinic leader of Jerusalem's Ashkenazi community for close to seventy years. He served in various positions alongside his tremendous charitable undertakings for Jerusalem's Torah institutions.

Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki (1790 - 1863) was a son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael Shklov, author of Pe'as Hashulchan, and a disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. He immigrated to Tzfas in 1809 and moved to Jerusalem following the Galilee earthquake of 1837. In Jerusalem, he served as a rabbinical leader, standing at the helm of Jerusalem's Ashkenazi settlement.

Rabbi Nissan Bek was the son of renowned publisher, Rabbi Yisrael Bek, and succeeded his father in his printing press. He was a Chassid of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and later of his son, the Admor of Sadigura.

[1] Leaf | 21*24 cm | Blue paper | Fine condition