A Halachic Response by the "Sdei Chemed" regarding the Dispute concerning the Division of the Funds of the Chaluka ...

A Halachic Response by the "Sdei Chemed" regarding the Dispute concerning the Division of the Funds of the Chaluka – Hebron, 1902
A letter from Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, author of the "Sdei Chemed", to the rabbis of Jerusalem, led by the Rishon Le'Zion Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, the "Yisa Bracha" [1902].
The background of the letter: Rabbi Eliyahu Yaloz, Av Beit Din of Tiberius, sent a letter to the "Sdei Chemed" in which he wrote that money which is sent under the name Jerusalem in general – is divided between four lands, and only money which is sent in the name of Jerusalem specifically will go to Jerusalem itself. He adds that in another responsa concerning the subject, he had presented proof to support this conclusion.
Before us is a halachic response by the Sdei Chemed in which he disagrees with Rabbi Yaloz, "even though my position forces me to seek out the good of the Kollelot of our holy and magnificent city as much as possible" (he is referring here to Hebron, where the "Sdei Chemed" served as Rabbi), i.e., although Rabbi Yaloz's opinion will help the residents of Hebron.
The "Sdei Chemed" notes that he accepts the position of the Rabbis of Jerusalem, led by the "Yisa Bracha", that money which was sent in the name of Jerusalem in general will be for Jerusalem: "And now when I see the conversation of the great sages and geniuses, compete and fearful [of Heaven], their exalted honor of the Torah, which are said in righteousness and simplicity; I am aware that I was mistaken in what I wrote to him which seems like casting a doubt on a matter which is as clear as the sun in the heavens".
The "Sdei Chemed" expresses his identification with the ruling of the rabbis of Jerusalem: "The truth itself is that one who sanctifies something or commands to give something to the sages and poor people of Jerusalem, this is very explicit, that he only referred to our Holy City and our crowning glory, which all call by the name Jerusalem, as all that is written in their holy words".
"Therefore I call in a great voice and say that I know of no differentiation etc. and true Torah is in the mouths of the holy ones, that one who dedicates to Jerusalem (in general) only refers to the great holy city of G-d which is Zion – which has no one to help it and it needs strengthening from our brethren the Jewish people in all of their dwelling places".
The words of the "Sdei Chemed" indicate that the dispute concerning the funds of the Chaluka was not merely an abstract discussion, as the money which was sent to the poor people of Israel was a literal salvation to the residents of Israel, in light of the suffering and poverty which existed in Israel in this difficult time.
The history of this dispute between the rabbis of Jerusalem and the rabbis of Tiberius was presented by Rabbi Yosef Chaim Yaloz, the son of Rabbi Eliyahu Yaloz, in his book "Toldot Eliyahu" (Jerusalem, 1933. Pp. 51). Among others, he recalls that the rabbis of Jerusalem printed the letter before us together with additional letters and sent them to the rabbis of the West.
This rare and historic letter is completely unknown and is not mentioned in the large book of Avraham Ya'ari "Shluchei Eretz Yisrael". In addition, it was not published in books dealing with the dispute between the rabbis of Jerusalem and the rabbis of Tiberius.
At the beginning of the letter, the "Sdei Chemed" wrote in his modesty: ""The day in which ki tov was doubled to the order of 'Mi Anochi'", "Halo B'Yishishim Chochma".
The entire letter is in poetic language as is common amongst the Sephardic Rabbis. Stylish and pleasant writing. With a signature: "HaTzv"I Chaim Chizkiahu Medini who is known as Chacham" (the signature and the letter in identical script). Two stamps of the Kollelot of Hebron (the stamps are unclear).
Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini (1833-1905), known as "Sdei Chemed" after the name of his book. The Rabbi of Hebron and one of the greatest Poskim.
23x29cm.
Condition: Good. Folding signs. Stain. Slight blemishes.