Lot 256
Letter with Two Signatures - From the Author of Sdei Chemed - Karasubazar, 1894 / Letter by Rabbi Zalman son of Rabbi Yosef - Simferopol, 1894
Two letters sent from the Crimean Peninsula, to Rabbi Yitzchak son of the Bahritz. Av Beit Din of Boston - An interesting letter from his brother regarding his visit to Karasubazar (Bilohirsk) to the author of the Sdei Chemed, and a letter from the author of the Sdei Chemed himself:
· Letter with two signatures of Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini author of Sdei Chemed. Scribal writing, full signature in the middle of the letter: "Chaim Chizkiya'u Medini". Following the signature, he continues the letter and writes about the brother of the recipient of the letter and praises his "Torah and piety - he is truly a very dear person, G-d fearing…". At the end is another signature in his handwriting. [Karasubazar, Crimean Peninsula], 1894.
· Long letter from the recipient's brother, Rabbi Zalman son of Rabbi Yosef, about his visit to the author of the Sdei Chemed at Karasubazar, with an interesting detailed description of his personality and of his conduct: "I have spoken to him in Hebrew because he does not understand even one word of Yiddish. With his congregation of Crimeans he speaks Tatar, which I understand just like he understands Yiddish. He was born in Jerusalem and descends from those who were expelled from Spain and speaks Spanish well. He has restricted himself to not give semicha for the past few years, but I have found favor in his eyes and he has made an exception in my case and given me semicha in Rashi script because he does not know Meshita script [cursive round Ashkenazic script]. He has signed his name in Franken script [Sephardic script, semi-cursive semi-square], which is not very different from our writing and he stamped it with his large stamp. However, he requested that I do not publicize it, due to those who approach him requesting (semicha), so they will not ask him what is the difference…". Simferopol (the Crimean Peninsula), 1894.
Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, author of the Sdei Chemed (1835-1905, Otzar HaRabbanim 6323), served in the rabbinates of Constantinople, Karasubazar and the Old City of Hebron. He was renowned for his diligence and his proficiency in revealed and hidden Torah knowledge. He corresponded with Torah leaders all over the world. He himself published the 18 volumes of his huge encyclopedic composition Sdei Chemed, and many other books.
2 postcards, 14 cm. Good-fair condition, wear damages to the corner of the letter of the Sde Chemed.
