Bidspirit auction | Letter Concerning the Marriage of

Letter Concerning the Marriage of an Orphaned Girl, by the Saintly Rabbi Chaim Houri, Chief Rabbinical Judge of Gabès – Tunisia - A moving two-page letter written by the saintly Rabbi Chaim Houri zt”l, Chief Rabbinical Judge of Gabès and one of the foremost rabbinic leaders of Tunisian Jewry, concerning efforts to secure the marriage of an orphaned young woman left without financial means. In this letter, Rabbi Chaim Houri comes to the aid of an orphan whose father had passed away leaving assets behind. However, her brothers divided the inheritance among themselves and failed to leave her a dowry. Now that the young woman has found her intended match and wishes to marry, Rabbi Houri consults with Rabbi Mordechai Amies HaKohen, Chief Rabbi of Tunisia, seeking a practical solution that would enable her to establish her home and proceed with the marriage. The letter provides a vivid and touching illustration of the profound involvement of Tunisia’s leading rabbis in the daily lives of their communities. It demonstrates the sense of personal responsibility they felt toward every individual, particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged, treating the needs of their congregants as their own. Rabbi Chaim Houri was among the most revered figures of Tunisian Jewry. Numerous accounts of miracles and acts of salvation are associated with his name, and countless people sought his blessings and guidance. It is related that when individuals approached Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the famed Baba Sali, for a blessing, and he learned that they were from Be’er Sheva, he would sometimes respond: “You have such a great tzaddik in your city, and you come to me for a blessing?”—referring to Rabbi Chaim Houri. It is likewise told that whenever the Baba Sali visited Be’er Sheva, he would spend considerable time praying at Rabbi Houri’s gravesite. Rabbi Kalfon Moshe HaKohen, Chief Rabbinical Judge of Djerba and one of the greatest halachic authorities of Tunisia, praised Rabbi Houri highly, stating that he had successfully prevented the spread of French secular influences in his city and thereby safeguarded generations of Jews from drifting away from their religious heritage. Rabbi Chaim Houri authored numerous important works, including Chesed Ve’Emet, Responsa Matza Chaim, and other rabbinic writings. Toward the end of his life, in 1950, he immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Be’er Sheva, where he continued to serve and guide the community until his passing in 1957. He was buried in Be’er Sheva, and his gravesite became a place of prayer and pilgrimage. This letter constitutes a rare and tangible testimony to Rabbi Houri’s role as a spiritual father to his community and to his tireless efforts on behalf of orphans, the poor, and those in need. [1] Leaf, written on two pages. 13 × 21 cm. Very fine condition.