Auction 93 Part 1 - Manuscripts, Prints and Engravings, Objects and Facsimiles, from the Gross Family Collection, and Private Collections
Manuscript, Ruling of the Constantinople Beit Din Regarding the Validity of a Mikvah – With Signatures of Leading Rabbis of Constantinople, 1866/7
Handwritten leaf, ruling issued by the Beit Din of Constantinople, regarding the halachic validity of the mikvah, signed by leading rabbis of Constantinople. Constantinople, Tevet 1866/7.
Neat Sephardic script, written by a scribe, with the calligraphic signatures of the rabbis of Constantinople.
The rabbis prohibit immersing in the mikvah in Plovdiv, due to various failings, contrary to the opinion of the local rabbi. The ruling is signed by R. Meir Yaish (d. 1888, dayan and later chief rabbi of Constantinople), R. Rachamim Moshe Chaim and others, and is followed by an approbation signed by additional rabbis, such as R. Nissim Yaakov son of R. David (Chacham Bashi from 1841), R. Yaakov Avigdor (Chacham Bashi in Constantinople, and later chief rabbi), R. Yosef Alfandari (d. 1867, leading rabbi in Constantinople).
Additional approbation on the verso, signed by the Chacham Bashi of Constantinople, R. Yakir Gueron, with his stamp.
[1] leaf. 34 cm. Good–fair condition. Stains. Wear and tears (slightly affecting text). Folding mark.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 057.011.048.