Leaf handwritten by the Saba Kadisha R. Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari. Unpublished draft responsum, regarding the halachic status of Karaites.
Autograph leaf by R. Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, from an unpublished responsum.
This responsum was presumably authored as part of the halachic polemic which erupted after R. Yitzchak Abulafia author of Pnei Yitzchak issued a ruling allowing a Jew to marry a Karaite woman under certain circumstances. R. Aharon Bechor Alhadef, chief rabbi of Tiberias, published his objection to the ruling in his book MiPi Aharon, together with a warning from R. Yaakov Shaul Elyashar and the Jerusalem Beit Din. R. Alhadef also corresponded with R. Alfandari on the topic. R. Alfandari's lengthy responsum on the matter was later published in Gedolei Eretz Israel, Jerusalem 1975. Following rabbinic opposition, R. Yitzchak Abulafia retracted his ruling and forbade the marriage as well (see enclosed material).
To the best of our knowledge, the present manuscript by R. Alfandari, on this topic, was never published. It may be an addition to the published responsum, or a section of an additional responsum on the same topic.
R. Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari (ca. 1813-1930), leading Turkish rabbi. In his youth, he exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Akiva Eger (who passed away in 1837). He served as chief rabbi of Constantinople and Damascus. When he was about 100 years old, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, settling in his final years in Jerusalem, where he passed away close to the age of 120. In his final year, the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs came to Eretz Israel specially to visit him, and they discussed kabbalistic matters together. He authored Responsa of Maharsha, Responsa of the Saba Kadisha, and more.
[1] leaf. Approx. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear and tears, slightly affecting text.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.