Letter from Rabbi Moshe Malka, Leader of the North-African Rabbis, 1866

Letter from Rabbi Moshe Malka, Leader of the North-African Rabbis, 1866
Letter from Rabbi Moshe Malka, Chief Rabbi of the North African community, to Rabbi Yosef Latish, Av Beis Din of Reggio, Italy, 1866.

“Please forgive, I request that as soon as you receive this letter you will immediately begin to make strong attempts to fulfil the Mitzvah of sending… for I am held back from dending the funds to Yerushalaiym” – letter from the Charity Collector Rabbi Moshe Malka to the Av Beis Din of Reggio, Rabbi Yosef Latish, requesting that he hurry and send the funds gathered in his town, so they can be sent on to Yerushalayim.

[2] pp. Thin paper. 12x20cm. on one folded sheet. Handwritten and signed by Rabbi Moshe Malka.

The Charity Collector Rabbi Moshe Malka (passed in 1900) – born in Meknès and emigrated to Yerushalayim in his youth, where he served as teacher, speaker, and cantor for the North African community. He was the first Collector sent by the community outside the borders of North Africa. On his third mission, in 1865, he was sent to collect money for the building of a neighborhood for the members of the North African community. He traveled in Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, and Turkey, and returned to Eretz Yisrael in 1871. In 1873 he was sent as collector to Egypt, and a year later was sent again to Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Poland. In 1899 he was appointed Chief Rabbi of the community, but this appointment created a severe conflict in the community. He was hounded by his detractors and passed away shortly after.

Rabbi Yosef ben Mano’ach Latash – Chief Rabbi of Reggio, from the leading Rabbis of Italy.

Fold marks. Creases on corners. Good condition.