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Lot : 104

Proposal to Join the Constantinople Rabbinate Letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben

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Proposal to Join the Constantinople Rabbinate

Letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt. 1909
Handwritten letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt and author of Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim, complete with his autograph and impressive stamp.

In the framework of their battle to preserve the spiritual sanctity of Jerusalem and shield it from the schemes of the Enlightenment and Alliance schools, Gedolei Yisrael fought mightily to prevent the appointment of an enlightened Jew to the position of Chacham Bashi, which was the title designated for the Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and Ottoman Empire. The Chacham Bashi exerted powerful influence on Jewish congregations throughout the Empire and, specifically, on the schools and religious institutions in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi, who spearheaded this critical battle, dispatched an urgent appeal to Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon with a request to announce his candidacy for the coveted position of Chacham Bashi and endeavor to represent the needs of religious congregations in the Ottoman court.

Rabbi Rephael Aharon replies that although he personally has no inclination to accept the position, “To fulfill the will of the honorable and [G-d] fearing Rabbanim in the Diaspora, I have annulled my own desires and wrote to Constantinople that they should write my name among the candidates for this position.”

Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon (1847-1929) was born in Jerusalem to Rabbi David ben Shimon, who was renowned as the Tzuf Dvash. (Rabbi Dovid also authored Shaar Hachatzer.) In 1888, Rabbi Rephael Aharon set out twice as a Rabbinical emissary of Kollel Adath Hamaaravim in Jerusalem, and in 1891, was inaugurated as Chief Rabbi of Egypt where he endeavored mightily to cultivate religious observance and battled furiously against the winds of the Enlightenment. In 1921, Rabbi Rephael Aharon returned to his native land in Jerusalem where he passed away seven years later. His legacy includes the works Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim.

Cairo, 21 Kislev, 1909. Stationery of the Egyptian Beis Din. Page Size: 27×21 cm. Handwritten, autographed and stamped with his impressive seal.
Condition: Good.
Learn more about Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon and his correspondence regarding the Constantinople Rabbinate in Igros Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi (Jerusalem, 1972) p. 156.
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Lot : 104

Proposal to Join the Constantinople Rabbinate Letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben

Start price: $1,500
|
Est. Price: $2,000 - $3,000
Proposal to Join the Constantinople Rabbinate

Letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt. 1909
Handwritten letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt and author of Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim, complete with his autograph and impressive stamp.

In the framework of their battle to preserve the spiritual sanctity of Jerusalem and shield it from the schemes of the Enlightenment and Alliance schools, Gedolei Yisrael fought mightily to prevent the appointment of an enlightened Jew to the position of Chacham Bashi, which was the title designated for the Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and Ottoman Empire. The Chacham Bashi exerted powerful influence on Jewish congregations throughout the Empire and, specifically, on the schools and religious institutions in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi, who spearheaded this critical battle, dispatched an urgent appeal to Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon with a request to announce his candidacy for the coveted position of Chacham Bashi and endeavor to represent the needs of religious congregations in the Ottoman court.

Rabbi Rephael Aharon replies that although he personally has no inclination to accept the position, “To fulfill the will of the honorable and [G-d] fearing Rabbanim in the Diaspora, I have annulled my own desires and wrote to Constantinople that they should write my name among the candidates for this position.”

Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon (1847-1929) was born in Jerusalem to Rabbi David ben Shimon, who was renowned as the Tzuf Dvash. (Rabbi Dovid also authored Shaar Hachatzer.) In 1888, Rabbi Rephael Aharon set out twice as a Rabbinical emissary of Kollel Adath Hamaaravim in Jerusalem, and in 1891, was inaugurated as Chief Rabbi of Egypt where he endeavored mightily to cultivate religious observance and battled furiously against the winds of the Enlightenment. In 1921, Rabbi Rephael Aharon returned to his native land in Jerusalem where he passed away seven years later. His legacy includes the works Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim.

Cairo, 21 Kislev, 1909. Stationery of the Egyptian Beis Din. Page Size: 27×21 cm. Handwritten, autographed and stamped with his impressive seal.
Condition: Good.
Learn more about Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon and his correspondence regarding the Constantinople Rabbinate in Igros Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi (Jerusalem, 1972) p. 156.
…………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
We are available also on
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Previous item
Back to the catalog
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Proposal to Join the Constantinople Rabbinate

Letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt. 1909
Handwritten letter by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon, Av Beis Din of Egypt and author of Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim, complete with his autograph and impressive stamp.

In the framework of their battle to preserve the spiritual sanctity of Jerusalem and shield it from the schemes of the Enlightenment and Alliance schools, Gedolei Yisrael fought mightily to prevent the appointment of an enlightened Jew to the position of Chacham Bashi, which was the title designated for the Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and Ottoman Empire. The Chacham Bashi exerted powerful influence on Jewish congregations throughout the Empire and, specifically, on the schools and religious institutions in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi, who spearheaded this critical battle, dispatched an urgent appeal to Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon with a request to announce his candidacy for the coveted position of Chacham Bashi and endeavor to represent the needs of religious congregations in the Ottoman court.

Rabbi Rephael Aharon replies that although he personally has no inclination to accept the position, “To fulfill the will of the honorable and [G-d] fearing Rabbanim in the Diaspora, I have annulled my own desires and wrote to Constantinople that they should write my name among the candidates for this position.”

Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon (1847-1929) was born in Jerusalem to Rabbi David ben Shimon, who was renowned as the Tzuf Dvash. (Rabbi Dovid also authored Shaar Hachatzer.) In 1888, Rabbi Rephael Aharon set out twice as a Rabbinical emissary of Kollel Adath Hamaaravim in Jerusalem, and in 1891, was inaugurated as Chief Rabbi of Egypt where he endeavored mightily to cultivate religious observance and battled furiously against the winds of the Enlightenment. In 1921, Rabbi Rephael Aharon returned to his native land in Jerusalem where he passed away seven years later. His legacy includes the works Nahar Mitzrayim and Tuv Mitzrayim.

Cairo, 21 Kislev, 1909. Stationery of the Egyptian Beis Din. Page Size: 27×21 cm. Handwritten, autographed and stamped with his impressive seal.
Condition: Good.
Learn more about Rabbi Rephael Aharon ben Shimon and his correspondence regarding the Constantinople Rabbinate in Igros Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi (Jerusalem, 1972) p. 156.
…………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
We are available also on
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