Lengthy Sermon in Handwriting of Rabbi Uziel – Thessaloniki, 1922

Manuscript, “Sermon for proper dressing of students in honor of Shabbat HaGadol [Shabbat preceding Pesach], 10 Nisan, 1922, Thessaloniki”. Lengthy sermon (14 pages) concerning value of giving charity, recited in honor of special custom, as written in introduction of sermon: “Ancient and holy custom throughout Sephardic communities, to dress students of the poor in expensive and graceful clothing on Shabbat HaGadol which precedes Pesach; and this festive dress is accompanied by sermon of rabbi of community”.
Sermon written upon official leaves of Rabbi Uziel as “chief rabbi of Jaffa and Tel Aviv community”, which he apparently brought along with him when he traveled to Thessaloniki to serve as rabbi.
Rabbi Ben-Tzion Chai Uziel (1881-1953), born in Jerusalem to Rabbi Yosef Raphael of an established rabbinical family of Jerusalem and descendant of the Chikrei Lev. At age 20 was appointed as rabbi of Tiferet Yerushalayim Yeshiva. In 1910 was appointed as chief rabbi of Sephardic community of Jaffa. In 1921 embarked to Thessaloniki (Greece) to serve as chief rabbi, and in 1923 returned to serve as chief rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. In 1939 was emissary and representative of community in London, and in same year was appointed chief rabbi of Eretz Israel. Composed: Mishpetei Uziel, Michmanei Uziel, HaShofet VeHaMishpat and more.
7 leaves, written on both sides. 26 cm. Very good condition. Filing holes.