Auction 1 Rare and Prestigious Items
By King David Auctions
Mar 19, 2018
22 Ha'Nassi Ha'Shishi st., Jerusalem, Israel

Historical Documents, Rare Books, Rabbis Letters, Art and Banknotes

The auction has ended

LOT 134:

The First Halachic Question that the Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, was Asked When He Came to Jerusalem ...

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Sold for: $550
Start price:
$ 300
Estimated price :
500-1,500$
Buyer's Premium: 20%
VAT: 17% On commission only

The First Halachic Question that the Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, was Asked When He Came to Jerusalem (!) – the Eve of Purim, 1841 – regarding the Law of Machatzit Ha'Shekel
In Adar 1841, Rabbi Shmuel Salant came to the Land of Israel on a donkey together with Rabbi Moshe Rivlin Maggid. Rabbi Shmuel Salant's reputation had already preceded him and he was received with great respect. The number of members of the Ashkenazic community of Jerusalem was only five hundred and their leaders were Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant and Rabbi Yesha'aya Bardakey. Immediately with hi sarrival, Rabbi Shmuel Salant was appointed by his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Zundel, as the rabbi of the small community. He served in the position for more than sixty eight (!) years. Rabbi Shmuel Salant died when he was ninety four.
The leaf before us is from the first days of Rabbi Shmuel in Jerusalem, maybe even his first. It is dated: "Tuesday, the ninth of Adar". During those first days, Rabbi Shmuel, the new rabbis who was not yet officially appointed, was sent the halachic question before us. Undoubtedly, this is the earliest halachic question that was preserved from those early days.
The long question deals with the laws of Machatzit Ha'Shekel, in light of the upcoming Purim. The person who asked the long question (almost twohundred handwritten lines), whose content indicates his religious knowledge, ends the letter with the following: "Looking forwards to his esteemed reply" and his signature.
This question symbolizes in practice the appointment of Rabbi Shmuel Salant as Rabbi and teacher of Jewish law (Moreh Hora'ah). An exciting, historical document!
A folded leaf written on four pages. Size of page: 16x22cm.
Condition: Good. Tears and slits. Ink stains on some of the words.

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