Large decorated handwritten leaf – text of the sermon delivered by R. Moshe Zeiger Charag, a trustee of Kollel Austria (Kollel Osterreich) in Safed, on the occasion of the birthday of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria. Written by a scribe, with the hand signature of R. Moshe Zeiger Charag and the stamp of Kollel Austria. Safed, 11th Elul 1869. Hebrew.
Hebrew title at the top of the leaf in fine calligraphic script. This is followed by the text of the sermon delivered by R. Moshe Zeiger Charag on the occasion of the 39th birthday of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, celebrated by the Jews in the synagogues with prayers and candle lighting.
Emperor Franz Joseph I was very well-regarded by the Jews, in light of the wide-ranging freedom and many civil rights they enjoyed during his long reign, something unprecedented in the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian empires. This sympathy is well reflected in the text of the present sermon, which is full of admiration for the emperor and praise of his mercifulness. R. Zeiger even states that since the destruction of the temple, there have never been times of liberty and freedom of religion like these. Signature of R. Moshe Zeiger Charag, and stamp of Kollel Austria at the end of the sermon.
R. Moshe Zeiger Charag (d. 1909), public figure and prominent member of the Safed Chassidic community. A leading trustee of Kollel Austria, and confidant of Rebbe Mendele, the Tzemach Tzadik of Vizhnitz. He married the granddaughter of R. Gabriel Tshak (hence the name Charag – Chatan R. Gabriel). One of his grandsons was the artist Yosef Tzvi Geiger (a stamp of his estate appears at the foot of the leaf).
Approx. 46X34 cm. Fair condition. Fold lines and creases. Stains, including dampstains. Minor ink smudges. Closed and open tears to margins and folds (slightly affecting text). Reinforced with acidic tape on verso and margins; dark tape stains to length and width of leaf.