Large handwritten certificate, signed by nine leading Torah scholars of Tunis, headed by the rabbi of the city R. Yeshuah Bessis. Tunis, [1843].
Letter of recommendation in semi–cursive and square script, for R. Shlomo Zalman Ashkenazi of Jerusalem, who was setting out to raise funds for his orphaned siblings, survivors of the Safed earthquake.
The letter is signed by seven rabbis: R. Yeshuah Bessis (the first; 1773–1860, rabbi of Tunisia, kabbalist and halachic authority, renowned as a wonder–worker); R. Natan Burgel (the second; d. 1874, rabbi of Tunisia after the passing of R. Yeshuah Bessis); R. Avraham HaKohen (Yitzchaki, author of Mishmerot Kehunah; d. 1864, close disciple of R. Yeshuah Bessis and founder of the Tunisian study method); R. Mordechai Guedj (the first; author of Magen David, dayan in Tunis, prominent disciple of R. Yaakov Fitoussi); R. Mordechai Nadjar (d. 1849, dayan in Tunis); R. Rachamim Ashkenazi; and R. Shmuel Sfadj (dayan in Tunis for forty years).
Three additional lines at the foot of the leaf, in cursive script, signed by two other rabbis approving the recommendation: R. Yehuda HaLevi (d. before 1850) and R. David Bounan (d. before 1857; both dayanim in the Portuguese Beit Din, close disciples of R. Yitzchak Taieb author Erech HaShulchan).

[1] double leaf. 41 cm. Thick paper. Good–fair condition. Many stains and wear. Tears to back leaf (blank; repaired with paper).

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 057.011.021.