Collection of historic documents, including sales deeds, permits and official decrees issued by Ottoman and Muslim rulers, from restoration and building of the Hurva courtyard by the disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in the 19th century.
Original documents written and signed in Ottoman and Muslim courts, in Arabic and Turkish. The documents were written and granted during the negotiations conducted by the Ashkenazim, disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in Jerusalem, with the Arab creditors who were in possession of the Hurva courtyard, and document their efforts to regain control over the Hurva courtyard and obtain permits to rebuild the Hurva. At the foot of the documents or on the verso, inscriptions in Hebrew in Ashkenazic script, with a brief summary of the contents of the document.
The documents include:
• Document dated 1240 Hijri year (1824), attesting that the Hurva courtyard belongs to the Ashkenazim, signed by the Kadi and Mufti of Jerusalem; given to R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow, R. Yitzchak of Kovno and R. Shlomo Zalman Shapira. Hebrew inscriptions on verso in various hands.
• Copy of the document from 1240 Hijri (1824). Inscription on verso states that the leaf contains a copy of the document received from the Kadi and Mufti, attesting that the Hurva belongs to the Ashkenazim.
• Copy of the Kadi's court ruling, attesting that the Hurva is the property of the Ashkenazim, with an instruction from the "ruler of Egypt" to return the Hurva to the Ashkenazim. Dated 1240 Hijri (1824).
• Authorization from the Kadi in Jerusalem, addressed to the ruler of Egypt. Signed 1247 Hijri (1831).
• Other documents pertaining to Hurva courtyard, the cancellation of the Ashkenazim's debt to the Arabs, building permits, and more (1831-1888). For more details, see Hebrew description.
21 handwritten documents. Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.
Enclosed are photocopies of additional documents in Arabic and Hebrew, pertaining to the Hurva courtyard and the Etz Chaim yeshiva; as well as a collection of photographs of the ruins of the Etz Chaim yeshiva buildings in the Hurva courtyard, during the yeshiva deans' tour of the place after the Six Day War.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.