Lot 124
Chart of the Times of Sunrise, in the Handwriting of Rabbi Shimon Hakham – Jerusalem 1899-1901
Paper sheet, handwritten in square (Oriental) script, glued on tin, with the times of sunrise (netz) in Jerusalem for 1899-1901. At the bottom of the leaf is an inscription: "Shimon Hakham – As we have merited arranging this, we shall merit fulfilling it…". At the beginning of the leaf are halachic laws of the manner of using the chart. The hours are according to Arabic-Eretz Israel time [12:00 is the time of sunset. The clock is set each day according to the call of the Maghreb from the mosque on the Temple Mount]. As written on the instructions: "On the condition that the clock will be set according to the call of the Maghreb at 12:00. The times of the chart are when the sunrise is visible from the tower on Mount [Olive?], and with a list of the difference of times for Nachalat Shiva neighborhood and for the Rechovot neighborhood [Bukharim]". Rabbi Shimon Hakham (1843-1910), a prominent leader of the Bukhara community in Jerusalem, and a prolific writer. Translated the Chumash and Bible into into Bukharian language. Born in Bukhara to Chacham Eliyahu (1760-1880, Shochet and Bodek and scribe, who arrived from Safed in 1825 and settled in the city of Bukhara and was responsible for the shechita in the community). He led the Bukhara Aliya to Jerusalem in 1890. Authored dozens of books besides other rabbinic compositions which he helped publish. 35.5X50.5 cm. Fair-poor condition, faded ink and erased letters and words, open tears.
