Monetary contract, signed by dayanim of the Sanaa Beit Din in the 18th century, the head of the Beit Din R. Yichye Tzalach, the Maharitz, and the dayan R. Yichye Mishreqi (son of R. David, author of Shetilei Zeitim). Bir al-Azab (Sanaa, Yemen), Shevat [1795].
Judeo-Arabic monetary contract, of Salam son of Yichye Elgamal (Gamliel) and Salam son of Suleiman Elgamal. With calligraphic signatures of the dayanim at the foot of the contract.
R. Yichye son of R. Yosef Tzalach - the Maharitz (1715-1805), foremost Yemenite rabbi in the 18th century, and a leading halachic authority. He was the disciple of his grandfather Mori Tzalach, and of R. Aharon HaKohen Iraki, R. Yichye Iraki and R. David Mishreqi, author of "Shetilei Zeitim". At the age of 43, he was appointed chief rabbi and head of the Beit Din of all Yemenite communities, a position he held for more than 45 years. His authority was unequivocally accepted throughout Yemen, and to this day many Yemenite Jews adhere to his customs and rulings. He compiled the Tiklal siddur with the Etz Chaim commentary, and many halachic works: Zevach Toda and Shaarei Kedusha on the laws of shechita, Shaarei Tahara on the laws of Niddah, Responsa Peulat Tzaddik, and other books of halacha, ethics and kabbalah.
R. Yichye son of R. David Mishreqi (1734-1809), founder of the Shami rite together with his father (the Shetilei Zeitim). He was appointed temporary dayan in 1785 and from 1795, served as permanent dayan in the Beit Din of the Maharitz. His novellae and rulings were published together with his father's novellae in Revid HaZahav.
Bir al-Azab is a suburb of Sanaa, built after the Exile of Mawza in 1679, when the Jews were required to live outside of the city's walls (Encyclopedia LiKehillot Teiman, I, p. 35).
[1] leaf. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and wear to folds and margins, not affecting text. Folding marks.