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Large archive containing hundreds of letters and court rulings, documents and various listings, of Grand Court for all Ashkenazi Congregations in Jerusalem from approximately 1930-1970. Members of rabbinical court who wrote and signed these documents: Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank, Rabbi Yosef Gershon Horowitz, Rabbi Eliyahu Re’em, Rabbi Avraham David Rosenthal, Rabbi Shraga Feivel son of Rabbi Zev Frank, Rabbi Rephael Binyamin Levine, and more.
The archive has great historical value, providing information about the history of Jerusalem. It includes: Court journals, signed court rulings, drafts of court rulings and various memoranda in handwriting of rabbis (some in handwriting of Ga’on Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank). Letters from rabbis and public figures throughout the world, which were sent to the court. Court rulings on matrimonial and monetary laws. Management of public institutions and letters requesting assistance for needy (institutions in Jerusalem: Kollel Vohlin, Kollel Minsk, Kollel Chabad, Va'ad HaYeshivot, Bikur Cholim Hospital, and more). Marriage Ketubot (printed and handwritten) and divorce certificates. Authorizations of divorce and marriage annulments [from 1930’s – when many singles immigrated to Eretz Israel fictitiously claiming to be married, thereby enabling the immigration of two unmarried individuals under one immigration certificate…]. Documents related to holocaust survivors (A testimony regarding a woman murdered in a concentration camp. Rome, 1947; A testimony regarding a woman that was murdered in the holocaust, in order to permit her husband to Remarry). Letters to mandatory legal authorities concerning legislation of laws and rulings on various public ordinances. A draft of a proclamation "about She'erit HaPleita" – calling for prayer and awakening. Various printed proclamations (concerning polemic of Rabbi Kook, prayer rally during holocaust period and more). Bills of sale of Chametz – with tens of signatures by Jerusalem's residents and Rabbis (amongst them are signatures by well-known rabbis today such as Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, Rabbi Sraya Dvilezki and others), invitations to court hearings and other various documents.
Grand Court for Ashkenazi Congregations is the veteran court of Rabbi Shmuel Salant which was established in 1841 and for many years was situated in an office in the courtyard of the Churva synagogue. The Ga’on Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank was already appointed as rabbinical judge during lifetime of Rabbi Shmuel Salant, and was eventually appointed Av Beit Din. During period of the documents in this archive the rabbinical court was managed by Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Rosenthal and his son, the Ga’on Rabbi Avraham David Rosenthal (rabbi of Sha’arei Chessed community), who at first served as rabbinical court scribe, and was later appointed as member of rabbinical court and Av Beit Din.
Hundreds of documents and various items within ten thick binders. Varying sizes and conditions, very good to fair (some items damaged).