Letter of Recommendation by Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Chazan, Rabbi of Rome - For Providing Matzot and ...

Letter of Recommendation by Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Chazan, Rabbi of Rome - For Providing Matzot and Kosher-for-Passover Food for the Soldiers of the Pope's Army - During the Spring of Nations (Revolutions of 1848) and Unification of Italy - Rome, 1848
Interesting letter of recommendation in flowery language, with the calligraphic signature of R. Yisrael Moshe Chazan. Rome, Adar Bet 1848.
Recommendation for arranging provisions of matzot and food for Passover for Jewish soldiers in the army of Pope Pius IX, during the war for the freedom and unification of Italy at the period of the Spring of Nations. The young man Yehuda son of Moshe Livoli is mentioned In the letter, stating that he is a soldier "among the war ranks… against all those who rise against Italy which lovingly supports our mighty compassionate king His Majesty Pope Pius IX".
In 1848, nationalist revolutionary uprisings spread throughout Europe. This period is known as the Spring of Nations. Italy at that time was divided into many states and several movements aspired to unite Italy under their leadership - a Catholic movement which desired to unite Italy under the leadership of Pope Pius IX, a Democratic movement led by Giuseppe Mazzini, and a monarchist movement aspiring to unify Italy under the House of Savoy. After the defeat of the Italians in North-Italy by Austrian forces, Mazzini supporters declared a republic in Rome and in Venice and the Pope was forced to exile.
R. Yisrael Moshe Chazan (1808-1863), grandson of the Chikrei Lev was born in Izmir and in 1811, at the age of 3, moved to Jerusalem with his father R. Eliezer Chazan. At a young age he became a dayan in Jerusalem; in 1848 - Rabbi of Rome and in 1852 - Rabbi of Corfu. In 1857, he moved to Alexandria in Egypt and in 1862 returned to Jerusalem. He was accustomed to sign his glosses with the Hebrew acronym "Mashiach". He was an exceptional Torah scholar and authored many books including: Nachalah L'Yisrael, Kin'at Zion, Kedushat Yom Tov - about the polemic of the second day of festivals in the Diaspora. His important book Kerach shel Rome, contains responsa from the time he served in the rabbinate of Rome.
Leaf, 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Open tears (not affecting text).