Bill pertaining to financial debts and estate of “the esteemed Rabbi Mordechai Bezalel”, signed by Rabbi Binyamin Mandel, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria and Rabbi Binyamin Asa’el. Salonika, Kislev (1620).
Rabbi Binyamin Mandel, among the rabbis of Salonika passed away in 1662; the Luria family was a well-known rabbinical family in Salonika and Safed; Rabbi Binyamin Asa’el who was rabbi of the Kollel of Salonika passed away in 1690 and his Chiddushim were printed in the book "Sam Chayai" [if he indeed was blessed with longevity it is possible that he is the one who signed this bill or possibly a relative of his?]. The Holy Rabbi Mordechai Bezalel was killed in a pogrom against Jews in Salonika on 14th of Elul, 1617 (see his epitaph in the book “Gdolei Salonika” p. 205).
Approx. 16X27 cm. Fair condition, piece missing on top, tears and damage of wear and glue [apparently taken out of a binding archive].

Bill of authorization for collection of Ketubah of Ms. Rachel, widow of Rabbi Ovadia Ya’akov, from assets held by Rabbi Ya’akov Antebi – Rabbi of Damascus. Safed, [1830]. Signatures: “Avraham Shoshana”, “Yom Tov Elyakim” [Rabbi of Safed and later on in Hebron], “Ya’akov Abitbul”, “--- Avraham”?, “Raphael Kalifa”? and others.
Margins of authorization bill contain added handwritten authorization noting that the collection of the Ketubah was implemented “From the virtuous Rabbi Ya’akov Antebi”. Damascus, [1831]. Signed: “Meir Duweck HaCohen” [among rabbis of Damascus], “David Cohen”.
Reverse side contains additional bill of authorization, for collection of assets for daughter of widow, the orphan Kolisa. [Safed], [1831].
16 cm. Fair-poor condition, stains and coarse tears, pasting marks.
Authorization of expert attached.

Bill of sale of home and yard of “prominent scholar Rabbi David Crodo known as Moreinu [our teacher]”. Signed by seller Rabbi “David Moreinu Crodo"; two signatures and inscription in handwriting of Dayan Rabbi “Yishaya Yosef Pontremoli” and signature of Dayan Rabbi “Chaim Shmuel”. Izmir, Cheshvan (1867).
Rabbi Yishaya Pontremoli (passed away in 1870) author of "Panim BaMishpat", among Torah giants of Izmir, Turkey; known as a tremendous and proficient genius in all facets of Torah and was Dayan in the Beit Din of Rabbi Avraham Palagi who in his book," Avraham Et Yado", writes about him that he knew Sefer HaTumim by heart. His father is Rabbi Chaim Binyamin Pontremoli author of "Petach HaDvir".
Large 53.5 cm. leaf, written on upper half. Good-fair condition, tears on folds and scotch tapings.

Letter in handwriting and signature of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer to Rabbi Eliyahu Menachem Goitein. [Eisenstadt], [1867].
Interesting historical letter in which the firm position of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer regarding the proper manner of coping with challenges of the enlightenment and reform movement, is apparent. As well, the letter presents criticism which his approach evoked toward him and toward his Yeshiva in Eisenstadt from the Orthodox sect.
“… during this period almost every person who performs one commandment in its entirety is considered admirable, and people are not aware of that which is taking place in the Ostrich kingdom as a result of this great wisdom… this wisdom which has degraded the kingdom… and we refuse to accept reproof… and this indolence is called wisdom… how will we answer our children when they ask us what we have done with Shas and the Halachic rulings and how we have twisted the rules and became reform…”.
The letter mentions, among the rest, the “Av Beit Din of Pressburg” [author of the "Ktav Sofer"], the “divine Rabbi Zelig Fisher [of Babeten], as well as “Wisdom of Rabbi Akiva Yosef” [Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, among greatest opponents of Rabbi Azriel]. Last passage of letters contains a longwinded Torah debate.
The Ga’on Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer (1820-1899), among leading Torah giants of his generation. Disciple of author of "Aruch LaNer" and of Rabbi Yitzchak Berneis of Hamburg. Between 1851-1869 served as rabbi in Eisenstadt where he founded a pioneer Yeshiva, in which secular studies were integrated - “Torah with Derech Eretz”. This development provoked opposition and criticism both by the reforms and by certain sects of the Orthodox community, however, Torah giants of Hungary and Germany recognized his greatness and supported his Yeshiva. In 1869 was appointed as Av Beit Din of Berlin, where he established his Rabbinical Beit Midrash. Led German Orthodox Jewry. Majority of his writings were burned in the fire which erupted in his home, and from the remaining writings, a few volumes of responsa and Chiddushim were printed (Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 1969-2000). This letter, however, does not appear there.
Recipient of letter, the Ga’on Rabbi Eliyahu Menachem Goitein (1838-1902), son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Goitein and grandson of Rabbi Baruch Bendit Goitein author of "Kessef Nivchar". Disciple of the Ktav Sofer. As his father and grandfather, served in the rabbinate of Hedis. Was closely associated with Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer and corresponded with him regularly.
29 cm. leaf. Good condition. Leaf singed from ink in several places.