Document recording a Beit Din act regarding the collection of ketubah dues, signed by prominent rabbis of Jerusalem, who served one after the other as Rishon LeTzion: R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin, R. Yonah Moshe Navon and R. Avraham Chaim Gagin - HaRav Agan. Jerusalem, Cheshvan 1835.
R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin, the first signatory on this document, was the chief rabbi of Jerusalem - the Rishon LeTzion (since 1824). He was one of the scholars of the Beit El yeshiva for kabbalists, and travelled several times as an emissary to North Africa. He headed the Bnei Moshe yeshiva he founded in Jerusalem. He entertained close ties with R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, and with the latter's colleagues, founders of the Ashkenazi settlement in Jerusalem. Many responsa he authored appear in the books of contemporary Torah scholars, and many more remain in manuscript. He affixed his signature to the present document merely a month before his passing, 28th Kislev 1835.
R. Suzin was succeeded by R. Yonah Moshe Navon, second signatory on this document (on the left) and dayan in R. Suzin's Beit Din. He also travelled as emissary on behalf the Jerusalem community, following Napoleon's attack on Eretz Israel which caused much sufferings to the Jews of the city. His novellae were published in his grandfather's book, Nechpah BaKesef. He was of great assistance in establishing the Ashkenazi community in the city, and redeeming the Churvah courtyard. He passed away in Tevet 1841.
R. Avraham Chaim Gagin - HaRav Agan, whose signature appears here as third dayan in the Beit Din, was the son-in-law in his second marriage of the kabbalist R. Refael Avraham Shalom Mizrachi, grandson of the Rashash. He headed the Beit El yeshiva for kabbalists. He authored many works, including Minchah Tehorah on tractate Menachot, his responsa book Chukei Chaim, and his homilies Chaim MiYerushalayim. He succeeded R. Yonah Moshe Navon as Rishon LeTzion (after R. Yehuda Refael Navon, who resigned after several months). HaRav Agan was the first whose appointment as chief rabbi of Jerusalem was recognized by the Turkish authorities, and as such served as the first Chacham Bashi of Jerusalem (this title accorded him greater authority). He passed away at the young age of 33, in 1848.
[1] double leaf. 33 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears. Folding marks.