Letter from the rabbis of Constantine, R. Avraham Kohen and R. Eliyahu Allouch, to R. Chaim Shmuel HaKohen Konorti of Tiberias; with an authorization by the emissary R. David Netanel Rofe. [Constantine (Algeria), 1872].
Written by a scribe, with the signature and stamp of R. Avraham Kohen and the signature of R. Eliyahu Allouch (d. 1892; rabbi and posek in Constantine). At the foot of the leaf, several lines handwritten and signed by the emissary R. David Netanel Rofe.
Lengthy letter regarding the emissary of Tiberias R. Shlomo Maman (1828–1884), who was involved in receiving testimony regarding the marriage of a young girl from Souk Ahras. He later travelled to Algiers, taking the original record of the testimony with him, thus causing difficulties for the rabbis of Constantine who did not know how to rule regarding this girl. The rabbis appeal to R. Konorti for help in resolving this affair. Their letter is authorized by R. David Netanel Rofe, emissary of Tiberias who was visiting Constantine at that time.

R. David Netanel Rofe (d. 1903), righteous and holy Torah scholar and wonder–worker who saved the community of Tiberias from financial collapse through his missions to North Africa. His gravesite in Tunis is visited by many on the anniversary of his passing.

[1] double leaf (written on the outer pages, inner pages blank). 27 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Defects and worming, affecting text, repaired with paper. Creases and folding marks.

Exhibition:
• Les Juifs d'Algérie. Musée d'art et d'histoire du judaïsme. Curated by Anne Hélène Hoog Paris, France, 2012.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, 057.011.051.

Printed emissary letter for the emissary of the Hebron community, R. Chaim Avraham Yisrael Ze'evi. [Livorno, 1784]. Italian.
Leaf printed on both sides, with the name of the philanthropist completed by hand [Emanuel Roseli]. The leaf begins with the translation of the emissary letter issued by the community of Hebron on 10th Sivan 1782, signed by the rabbis of Hebron.
The letter is followed by authorizations by the Hebron officials in Constantinople, dated 3rd Adar I 1783, and by a letter of recommendation by the Chida, a colleague and relative of R. Chaim Avraham Yisrael Ze'evi, written in Livorno, 3rd Cheshvan 1783. The leaf was presumably printed shortly thereafter, alongside another version of this leaf – in Hebrew (original language of the letters).

R. Chaim Avraham Yisrael Ze'evi, a Hebron Torah scholar. Travelled to Europe on two missions on behalf the Hebron community, the first to Ashkenazic countries, where he built close ties with the Chida in Amsterdam, and a second time also to Italy (1782–1789), for which this leaf was printed.

[2] pages. 32 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stains.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 057.011.049.

Handwritten emissary letter, signed and stamped by the leading rabbis of Jerusalem, R. Avraham Ashkenazi the Rishon LeTzion, and R. Meir Panigel. [Jerusalem, ca. 1860s–1870s].
Semi–cursive Oriental script (Rashi script), with emphasized words in square calligraphic script. Written for R. Nissim Yisrael Sasson, emissary of Kollel Hebron and the Magen Avot yeshiva, leaving on a mission for Tripoli and the surrounding villages (Libya).
R. Avraham Ashkenazi (1811–1880), prominent Torah scholar, Rishon LeTzion of Jerusalem. His opinion was conclusive on communal matters in Jerusalem and throughout the world.
R. (Refael) Meir Panigel (1804–1893), Rishon LeTzion and Chacham Bashi of Jerusalem. Born in Bulgaria, he was raised in Jerusalem. Already in his youth he was known as a holy, righteous person and wonder–worker. He succeeded R. Avraham Ashkenazi as Chacham Bashi in 1880.

[1] double leaf. 39.5 cm. Good–fair condition. Stains and tape stains (tape on verso). Tears. Folding marks.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, 057.011.015.