Collection of leaves handwritten by the Saba Kadisha R. Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, a rabbi of Constantinople, Damascus, Safed and Jerusalem – including passages of Torah novellae, halachic responsa and homilies. [Written in Turkey, Damascus and Safed, ca. 1880s-1910s].
The collection's contents include: Last leaf of a halachic responsum on rescission of a divorce document, signed "Eliezer Shlomo Alfandari"; leaves of Torah novellae regarding eating terumah while ritually impure, and regarding terumah and chametz on Pesach; leaf (partial) of Torah novellae regarding agency in me'ilah; a leaf with a eulogy sermon; four pages of a halachic responsum on the laws of tzedakah and the R. Meir Baal HaNes funds (printed in Responsa Maharsha, Jerusalem 1932, Yoreh Deah 8); three pages of a halachic responsum on testimony of betrothal, relating to a contested halachic responsum of R. Menachem Soncin [apparently a follow-up to the discussion in Responsa Saba Kadisha (I, Jerusalem 1973, Even HaEzer section 27 – R. Menachem Soncin's ruling is at the end of the responsum [R. Menachem Soncin, head of the Constantinople Beit Din, died in 1884 (Pinkas Beit HaDin BeKushta, p. 94) and thus the present manuscript was written beforehand]); a draft responsum regarding candidacy of women [from the 1919 polemic; a responsa on this issue is published in Responsa Saba Kadisha (I, Choshen Mishpat, section 32); this is another responsum]; and more.
Some of the present letters have been printed, or are additions to responsa printed in his books. However, most of the present writings have not yet been printed.
The Saba Kadisha, R. Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari (ca. 1813-1930), leading Turkish rabbi. In his youth, he corresponded on halachic issues with R. Akiva Eger (who passed away in 1837). He served as Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and Damascus. When he was about 100 years old, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, serving as rabbi in Safed and settling in his final years in Jerusalem, where he passed away near the age of 120. During his Jerusalem period, his involvement in public issues declined, in favor of halachah and kabbalah which he studied with a small group of elevated individuals. During his final year, the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs came to Eretz Israel specially to visit him, and they discussed kabbalistic matters together. He authored Responsa Maharsha, Responsa Saba Kadisha, and more.
9 paper items (comprising approx. 19 written pages). Varying size and condition. Tears and wear.
