Letter - Receipt from Rabbi Refael Moshe Meyuchas, Emissary of Jerusalem - Quatzenheim, Alsace, 1791

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Refael Moshe son of R. Shmuel Meyuchas, emissary of Jerusalem. "Twatzene" (Quatzenheim, Alsace, France), 21st Av 1791.
Letter acknowledging receipt of donation (Machatzit HaShekel monies) for the benefit of "Kollelot of the Holy City", from "the wise and exalted philanthropist, trusted gabbai and trustee of Eretz Israel, R. Gumper known as Efraim son of Yaakov". The emissary blesses him for his donation: "He shall receive blessing from G-d, lengthy years of life for him and his sons amongst the Jewish people…".
The letter is signed with the elaborate calligraphic signature of R. Refael Moshe Meyuchas: "Refael Meyuchas Moshe son of R. Shmuel".
R. Refael Moshe son of R. Shmuel Meyuchas (the second, d. 1824), leading Jerusalem Torah scholar and emissary of the Beit El yeshiva of Jerusalem in Europe. During the course of his travels, he reached the communities of Germany, Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands and even London. An approbation he accorded during his stay in Hamburg is printed at the end of LeDarchei David (by R. David Meldola, at the end of part I of his book Darchei David, Amsterdam 1794). In the title of the approbation, he is referred to as: "A holy man, emissary, who came to seek support for our brethren in Jerusalem… the perfect Torah scholar, the exacting scribe of holy lineage, R. Refael Meyuchas Moshe…" (see: Ben-Yaakov, Yerushalayim Bein HaChomot, pp. 224-226).
[1] double leaf. 17.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, minor marginal wear.