Letter from Rav Refael Yeshaya Azulai, Av Beis Din of Ancona, son of the Chida. Livorno 5569 [1809] ...

Letter from Rav Refael Yeshaya Azulai, Av Beis Din of Ancona, son of the Chida. Livorno 5569 [1809]

Letter from Rav Refael Yeshaya Azulai, AB"D of Ancona to the members of his community, while lodging in Livorno.

The letter was sent while Rav Refael Yeshaya was staying in Livorno on the occasion of his son's wedding- Rav Moshe Azulai. The letter discusses matters of shlichim from Eretz Yisrael.

Rav Refael Yeshaya Azulai [5503-5586] was the firstborn son of the Chida- Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai. He was a giant in Torah and wrote halachic responsa. Some of his responsa written in his sefer: "Imrey Noam" were printed as well in Sefer Zichron Moshe, and other responsa from his sefer were printed in the sefarim of his father, who cherished and honored him greatly, always mentioning him with special esteem in his writings (my dearest son, my firstborn, wise, complete, great, the light of my eyes, my soul's comrade etc.). When Rav Avraham Yisrael, Rav of Ancona passed away in 5545, the heads of the community turned to the Chida, who hinted at them that his son, Rav Refael Yeshaya is fitting for the job, and they agreed. He served as Rav of Ancona for many years until his passing on the ninth of Shvat, 5586. His years amounted to that of his fathers- 83 years. He was honored greatly in his passing, and his community mourned him for many days (see more about him in "Sifro Shel Benayahu Al HaChida", pages 476-487)

The letter is in Italian. In its margin are 4 lines handwritten and signed by Rav Refael Yeshaya in Hebrew. There he relates that he is traveling to the wedding of his son, Rav Moshe.

Size: 18x24 cm. On other side of page are the remains of a wax seal. Fold signs, good condition.