Auction 137 Summer sale Early Prints, Chassidut, Belongings of Tzaddikim, Amulets, Segula Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical letters, Chabad.
By Winner'S
Jul 14, 2022
3 Shatner Center 1st Floor Givat Shaul Jerusalem, Israel
Early Prints, Chassidut, Belongings of Tzaddikim, Amulets, Segula Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical letters, Chabad. 
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LOT 136:

Rabbinical Court Ruling by Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Aleppo, Primary Disciple of Rabbi Chaim Vital - ...

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Rabbinical Court Ruling by Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Aleppo, Primary Disciple of Rabbi Chaim Vital - Historic Document of Jewish Life in Aleppo


Beit din ruling on commercial matters, in penmanship identical to that of the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim HaKohen, ra'ava"d of Aleppo, and one of the leading disciples of Rabbeinu Chaim Vital, disciple of the Ariza"l. [Aleppo, 1639]. Precious and significant document.


The ruling mentions Siman Tov Mizrachi and R' Avraham Berachah. Written in a different script on the back of the ruling: "The kohen gadol, above and beyond his brothers, the complete sage, Rabbi Chaim HaKohen ... to Aleppo. From Damascus and ..."


Aside from its tremendous significance as an autograph by one of the leading Kabbalists, this document is of first-rate historic magnitude, as a record of Jewish life in Aleppo from such an early period. There are almost no remaining Jewish documents from extremist Arab countries.


Text of the ruling: "Siman Tov Mizrachi acknowledged to us that he received 100 gurush from R' Avraham Mizrachi in a commercial transaction, and he gave him the monies ... as wages for three years ... two thirds for R' Avraham and one third for S.T. The partnership was from Rosh Chodesh Adar II, 1639 [ישפ"ט]."


As is known, the vast majority of Rabbi Chaim's writings were written in a Kabbalistic manner. This ruling reveals a less familiar aspect of his personality - his honorable leadership of the Aleppo community. Rabbi Chaim was a prolific writer who authored many books. However, on his way to Italy to print his writings, pirates attacked his ship. Rabbi Chaim was saved by swimming, but his writings were irretrievably soaked, and his works had to be rewritten!


Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Chaim HaKohen of Aleppo, author of Tur Bareket.


[1] leaf paper, written on both sides. 20x15 cm.

Moderate condition. Many stains. Some of the text is illegible. Tears with lack and worming perforations, artistically restored.