Emissary document from Jerusalem, for the emissary R. Rachamim Shalom HaLevi, sent on behalf of the Bikur Holim society, to collect funds for the construction of a hostel for sick and needy Jews, named Osfei Dal (play on the word "hospital", in Hebrew - gathering the needy). Signed by the leading city rabbis: R. "Refael Avraham Shalom Mizrachi known as Sharabi", R. "Yosef Zamiro", R. "Ya'akov Ibn Tzahal" and R. "Avraham Moshe Zakut". Jerusalem. [1815].
The kabbalist R. (Refael) Avraham Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi - HaRav HaRosh (1775-1826), son of Kabbalist R. Chizkiyahu Yitzchak Sharabi, grandson of the Rashash, was born two years before his illustrious grandfather died. From his youth, he was raised and educated in the kabbalist Beit El Yeshiva. In his lifetime, he was known by the cognomen "R. Avraham Chassid" but is more famed by the name "HaRav HaRosh". He was also called "Ba'al Haness" because of the wonders and marvels he performed with his holy powers by use of practical kabbala. See: Or HaShemesh (Jerusalem, 1970, pp. 73-82). His book Divrei Shalom contains his kabbalistic manuscripts and was published posthumously by his son-in-law, the Rishon L'Zion R. Chaim Avraham Gagin.
The other signatures belong to R. Yosef Zamiro (died 1843), an eminent Jerusalem Torah scholar and kabbalist. Authored the Hon Yosef responsa printed together with the book Divrei David by the Radvaz (Livorno, 1828); R. Ya'akov ben Tzahal, a Jerusalem sage at the beginning of the 19th century who signed many approbations. Two of his responsa were printed by R. Nathan Coronel at the end of the book Piskei Challah (Jerusalem, 1876).
The emissary is R. Rachamim Shlomo HaLevi (died in 1874) who was sent on this mission in his youth. Already at that time his qualities of Torah knowledge and fear of G-d were apparent. He later became Ra'avad of Jerusalem and was one of the heads of the Beit El Yeshiva.
Leaf, 32X22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and folding creases. Inscriptions in Oriental script by R. Yitzchak Badahav.
This emissary document was copied and printed by R. Yitzchak Badahav in his book Binyan Yerushalayim - Ki B'Yitzchak (Jerusalem, 1927). For further information about this special mission, see Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael, A. Ya'ari, pp. 711-712.