Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
Letter Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira of Morocco – The Abir Yaakov
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira, the Abir Yaakov of Morocco.
11 lines in his handwriting, with his signature (in cursive Western script): "Yaakov". Written in the Moroccan dialect of Judeo-Arabic. The letter begins: "…R. Yaakov son of Avraham, from the undersigned, servant of G-d, who seeks your well-being".
R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira – the Abir Yaakov (1806-1880), renowned from a young age as a brilliant Torah scholar, well versed in revealed parts of the Torah and Halachah, and a holy kabbalist. He served as rabbi of Tafilalt (the main community in the Ziz valley, southern Morocco). Already in his twenties, his authority was accepted by most the rabbis in the region. R. Yaakov is considered one of the leading halachic authorities in his generation, and he exchanged halachic correspondence with prominent rabbis throughout North Africa. A holy, G-dly man accustomed to miracles, many wondrous accounts are told about him, including his meriting the revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi (Malchei Rabbanan, leaf 66 – see also Maaseh Nissim, Jerusalem 1968, written based on accounts heard from the Baba Sali and other rabbis from the Abuchatzeira family). He was also famous amongst the local Muslims who reverently dubbed him al-Hasan al-Kabir [=the great rabbi].
He passed away while traveling to Eretz Israel, and was buried in Damanhur, Egypt. His tombstone is inscribed with profuse tributes that portray the extent to which he was venerated by his generation.
His compositions include: Ginzei HaMelech, Yagel Yaakov, Responsa Yoru Mishpatecha LeYaakov, Pituchei Chotam, Doresh tov, Bigdei HaSerad, Machsof HaLavan, and many other works.
Dozens of piyyutim were composed in his memory and honor, and some of them are recited by Moroccan Jews until this day. The famous picture of him sitting with his legs crossed, with a holy book in his hands, was displayed in many homes in Morocco and around the world.
His sons and grandchildren were renowned for their holiness and Torah knowledge. The most famous are R. Yisrael Abuhatzeira – the Baba Sali and his brother R. Yitzchak – the Baba Chaki, R. Meir Abuhatzeira – the Baba Meir and many other prominent rabbis and wonder-workers.
[1] leaf. 13 cm. Good condition. Stains. Open tears, affecting several words, professionally restored.
Expert report enclosed.
11 lines in his handwriting, with his signature (in cursive Western script): "Yaakov". Written in the Moroccan dialect of Judeo-Arabic. The letter begins: "…R. Yaakov son of Avraham, from the undersigned, servant of G-d, who seeks your well-being".
R. Yaakov Abuchatzeira – the Abir Yaakov (1806-1880), renowned from a young age as a brilliant Torah scholar, well versed in revealed parts of the Torah and Halachah, and a holy kabbalist. He served as rabbi of Tafilalt (the main community in the Ziz valley, southern Morocco). Already in his twenties, his authority was accepted by most the rabbis in the region. R. Yaakov is considered one of the leading halachic authorities in his generation, and he exchanged halachic correspondence with prominent rabbis throughout North Africa. A holy, G-dly man accustomed to miracles, many wondrous accounts are told about him, including his meriting the revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi (Malchei Rabbanan, leaf 66 – see also Maaseh Nissim, Jerusalem 1968, written based on accounts heard from the Baba Sali and other rabbis from the Abuchatzeira family). He was also famous amongst the local Muslims who reverently dubbed him al-Hasan al-Kabir [=the great rabbi].
He passed away while traveling to Eretz Israel, and was buried in Damanhur, Egypt. His tombstone is inscribed with profuse tributes that portray the extent to which he was venerated by his generation.
His compositions include: Ginzei HaMelech, Yagel Yaakov, Responsa Yoru Mishpatecha LeYaakov, Pituchei Chotam, Doresh tov, Bigdei HaSerad, Machsof HaLavan, and many other works.
Dozens of piyyutim were composed in his memory and honor, and some of them are recited by Moroccan Jews until this day. The famous picture of him sitting with his legs crossed, with a holy book in his hands, was displayed in many homes in Morocco and around the world.
His sons and grandchildren were renowned for their holiness and Torah knowledge. The most famous are R. Yisrael Abuhatzeira – the Baba Sali and his brother R. Yitzchak – the Baba Chaki, R. Meir Abuhatzeira – the Baba Meir and many other prominent rabbis and wonder-workers.
[1] leaf. 13 cm. Good condition. Stains. Open tears, affecting several words, professionally restored.
Expert report enclosed.
Oriental Torah Scholars
Oriental Torah Scholars