Manuscript, Pinkas of "Chevrat Mishmorim" – society of members of the Ashkenazic community in Jaffa who commit to nighttime Torah study in the Beit Midrash. Jaffa, Tevet 1914. Title page decorated in gold ink.
The Pinkas contains the society's regulations regarding nightly Torah study, and the allocation of shifts between the members of the society, so that the Beit Midrash should resound with Torah study throughout the night. The Pinkas begins with a letter from the rabbis of Jaffa, signed by: R. Yosef Tzvi HaLevi, R. Shlomo Zalman Shach, R. Aryeh Leib Frumkin, and others. This is followed by R. Kook's letter, dated 27th Tevet 1914.
Further in the pinkas, there are signatures of 34 members of the society, who commit to learning for "half a shift" or "a third of a shift". Some even note which day of the week. The list of signees is headed by the leaders and initiators of this society: R. Yosef Levi Chagiz and R. Yisrael Habas (scholarly and wealthy merchants, leaders of the Jaffa community in those times. R. Yosef Levi Chagiz was a head of the Shomrei Torah society for the establishment of boys' school and yeshivot in the various moshavot in Eretz Israel. In his later years, he founded Agudath Tadchatz).
In his letter, R. Kook praises this holy society, extols the virtues of nighttime Torah study and blesses those who devote their night to learning. The letter is signed: "Avraham Yitzchak H.K." [HaKohen Kook].
[60] leaves (including 10 written pages, most leaves blank). Good condition. Stains. Minor tears. New leather binding.