Lot 86
Manuscript, Lengthy Halachic Responsum, Signed by Rabbi Yitzchak Ben Walid and Tétouan Rabbis
Manuscript, halachic ruling issued in response to a request by "the community leaders of Gibraltar", regarding the marriage of a convert, signed by the rabbi of Tétouan – R. Yitzchak ben Walid, and the dayanim of his Beit Din: R. Yom Tov HaLevy and R. Yitzchak Nahon. Tétouan, [1846].
Lengthy responsum (6 pages), signed at the end by: R. "Yitzchak ben Walid", R. "Yom Tov HaLevy", R. "Yitzchak Nahon".
The responsum was published in Responsa VaYomer Yitzchak (Even HaEzer, section 155) by R. Yitzchak Ben Walid, without the names of the signatories.
R. Yitzchak Ben Walid (1777-1870), chief rabbi of Tétouan and leading kabbalist in Morocco. Already in his youth, he stood out for his purity, holiness and asceticism. He was the disciple of two Moroccan Torah leaders, R. Menachem Nahon and R. Moshe HaLevy. After the passing of R. Moshe HaLevy, he was asked by the Tétouan community to succeed him as rabbi of the city. In his humility, he accepted the appointment only on condition he wouldn't judge alone, but would be aided by R. Yom Tov HaLevy (son of R. Moshe HaLevy; signatory of this ruling). Later, R. Yitzchak Nahon was appointed as third dayan (his signature also appears on the present responsum), and they worked together as a Beit Din of three. R. Yitzchak Ben Walid was known as a leading halachic authority, and many halachic questions were sent to him from throughout Morocco and even other countries. His responsa were published in the two volumes of his book Responsa VaYomer Yitzchak (Livorno, 1876). He passed away at the age of 93 as Shabbat was entering, while reciting Mizmor Shir LeYom HaShabbat.
R. Yitzchak Ben Walid was renowned amongst Moroccan Jews as a holy man and wonder-worker, and even after his passing, he was famous for the great salvations which occurred in his merit. His holy staff helped barren women conceive and healed the sick. There is a longstanding tradition of visiting his gravesite on the anniversary of his passing, and this day is commemorated throughout the world.
[4] leaves (6 written pages). 35 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains, dark dampstains. Tears, damage and worming, affecting text. Some text erased as a result of dampness.
