Letter by Rabbi Shlomo Bachar Shmuel to Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Otolingi. [Yanina, Greece], 1898.
Long letter, first part is criticism of Jews who neglect the mitzvoth. Further on, the writer tells of the state of the rabbinate in his city and of the local rabbis, Rav HaChashmal [Rabbi Chaim Shmuel HaLevi] and Rabbi Yehuda Kimchi [later Rabbi of Tripoli]. The last section discusses grammar topics.
The writer, Rabbi Shlomo Bachar Shmuel, a Torah scholar of Yanina, died at a young age and his father published his sermons in the book Yeriot Shlomo [Jerusalem, 1909).
The letter recipient, Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Otolingi (1840-1901), from the Otolingi rabbinic family in Italy, a mohel, scribe and renowned educator. Served first as principal of the Talmud Torah in Livorno. in 1880, moved to serve as principal of Thessaloniki Talmud Torah and achieved a lot in the field of education in the city. Also wrote pedagogic articles, poems and plays.
* Stencil-copied manuscript: "HaDikduk – Comedy of joyous play" [the characters are Yehoyada – a leading Galil figure, Yosef – his son, Menashe – veterinarian and Yehonatan – Torah scholar]. Apparently, the play was written by Rabbi Moshe Otolingi. (Italian dedication from 1897).
Letter, [4] pages. Play, [5] pages. 27 cm. Good condition, folding marks, several tears.