Kollel Controversy! Rabbi Nachman Abo of Tzfas to the ‘Yisa Bracha’, 1903

Kollel Controversy! Rabbi Nachman Abo of Tzfas to the ‘Yisa Bracha’, 1903
Letter from Rabbi Nachman Abo, from the leading Rabbonim of Tzfas, sent to the Rishon LeTzion the ‘Yisa Bracha’, complaining about Rabbi Moshe Maman, regarding the distribution moneys and the emissaries to the North Africa cities. Tzfas, 1902.

“I have said I will introduce my case before one who is great, our teacher and guide a holy man from whose mouth come firebrands, so he would mediate between us.” A sharp complaint from Rabbi Nachman Abo, from the Gedolim of Tzfas, sent to the Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, and a copy of an additional letter from Tzfas.

Rabbi Nachman ben Avraham Chaim Abo (born in 1862) – Charity collector, Rabbi, and speaker in Tzfas. From the disciples of Rabbi Yaakov Sakali, who was ordained by all of the sages and Rabbis of Tzfas. His paternal grandfather was Rabbi Shmuel Abo, who emigrated from Algeria to Tzfas, where he served as a Rabbi in the Sephardic community and as president of the Sephardic Kollel, as a French consular agent for Tzfas and Tveriah, as protector of the Jews of Tzfas, as a redeemer of lands and founder of the first Jewish settlement. His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Chaim Nachum Mizrahi, Av Beis Din of Tveriah. He was sent as a charity collector (‘Shadar’) for the Tzfas community to the cities of Bukhara, where he raised funds for the repair of the Shul in Tzfas named after the Tzaddik Rabbi Yosef Bena’ah, where he used to speak every Shabbos before a large audience.

Rabbi Moshe ben Rabbi Mordechai Maman (1838-1909) – Av Beis Din of Tzfas. Disciple and son-in-law of the Rabbi fof Tzfas, Rabbi Shlomo Hazan. Served as Rabbi of Tzfas, Av Beis Din there, president of the Kollelim, and Rosh Yeshiva. Sent as a charity collector for the Tzfas communities to the cities of Bukhara. Author of ‘Zichron Moshe’ and ‘Hamaskilim Yazhiru’. Was laid to rest in the cave of the holy Alshech in Tzfas.

The Rishon LeTzion, the holy Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, known as the ‘Yisa Bracha’ (1817-1906) – served for many years as a Dayan in Yerushalayim and was appointed Av Beis Din of Yerushalayim in 1868. In 1880 he was appointed Rishon Letzion, but abdicated in favor of his in-law, Rabbi Refael Meir Fenijik. After the passing of Rabbi Fenijil, in 1893, he was crowned Rishon LeTzion, in a ceremony that took place in the Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai Synagogue in Yerushalayim. He held this prestigious position until his passing, and influenced many generations to come. Author of many Seforim, all of which use the acronym of his name “Ish”: ‘Ish Emunim’, ‘Simcha LeIsh’, Ma’aseh Ish’, ‘Derech Ish’, ‘Divrei Ish’, ‘Olat Ish’, ‘Sha’al HaIsh’, ‘Kavod LeIsh’, ‘Pnei Ish’, and more.

[1] pg. Solitreo script. Handwritten and signed by Rabbi Nachman Abo. On the reverse side is a handwritten copy of a letter regarding an issue between Rabbi S. Halevi and Hacham A. ibn Shimon. Attached is a page with a typewritten copy of Rabbi Abo’s letter.

Fold marks. Good-very good condition.

Measurement:

21 x 26 cm