Bidspirit auction | A Monumental Historical Document: Jerusalem's

A Monumental Historical Document: Jerusalem's Great Leaders Borrow Funds for ”The Hurva” - A historical letter regarding the Hurva Synagogue of Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid – A symbol of Ashkenazi settlement in the Land of Israel. Signed by the great leaders of the time, the heads of the Perushim community in Jerusalem: Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki, Rabbi Zundel Salant, and Rabbi Yaakov Berlin. Jerusalem, 1861 (5622). Background of the letter: The Hurva Synagogue of Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid was a central hub for the Ashkenazi community in Jerusalem. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Originally constructed in the early 18th century by the followers of Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid, it was demolished by Arabs due to unpaid debts and rebuilt in the 1860s by the disciples of the Vilna Gaon. This letter pertains to the reconstruction during that period. The signatories of the letter, described as the ”Gabbaim and trustees of the Hurva of Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid, ” include the esteemed Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki, head of the Beit Din, and Rabbi Zundel Salant, the halachic authority of the Ashkenazi community. In the letter, these leaders request a short-term loan of 4,000 Turkish grush, likely to complete the construction, pledging the Hurva's properties as collateral. The synagogue was inaugurated in 1864, and the event was described in the *HaMagid* newspaper: ”...the entire congregation sang and rejoiced in unison with fiery verses of the King of Israel's praises... Even the elder Torah scholars did not refrain from dancing and rejoicing.” Leading the celebration were Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki and Rabbi Yosef Zundel Salant. Rabbi Bardaki, despite his advanced age, climbed a ladder to the top of the synagogue's dome to place the cornerstone. **Specifications:** [1] Paper leaf, 20X13 cm. Holy signatures: ”Na'am Yeshayahu Ba'Amo” (Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki), ”Na'um Zundel Salant” (Rabbi Zundel Salant), and ”Na'am Yaakov Berlin” (Rabbi Yaakov Berlin). Includes the stamp of the ”Ashkenazi-Perushim Kolel.” **Condition:** Very good. Fold marks and time stains. **Biographies of the signatories:** - **Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki (1790–1863):** Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, a disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, and one of the pioneers of the Ashkenazi settlement in Jerusalem. After marrying the daughter of Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov in 1823, he became a leader of the Ashkenazi community alongside Rabbi Yosef Zundel Salant. Renowned for his wisdom and piety, stories of his ingenuity, such as negotiating with an Arab for a lulav, are well-known. - **Rabbi Yosef Zundel Salant (1786–1865):** A Gaon and Kabbalist, initiator of the Mussar Movement, and mentor to Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. A student of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, he later settled in Jerusalem, serving as the halachic authority for the Ashkenazi community. Known for his unparalleled humility, he was described as ”an angel on earth” by his contemporaries. - **Rabbi Yaakov Berlin (1790–1870):** Father of the Netziv of Volozhin, a wealthy philanthropist who emigrated from Russia to Jerusalem in 1850. He served as the gabbai of the Etz Chaim yeshiva and talmud torah.