Shocking Letter about the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Shaul Dweck HaKohen, Signed by Rabbinic Leaders of Jerusalem

Shocking Letter about the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Shaul Dweck HaKohen, Signed by Rabbinic Leaders of Jerusalem

Lengthy and important letter signed by Sephardic sages of Jerusalem about assistance for one of the leading Kabbalists of their generation, the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Shaul Dweck HaKohen - "HaRav HaSadeh." Among the signatories: Rabbi Ya'akov Chaim Sofer, author of Kaf HaChaim, who was somewhat of a disciple/colleague [תלמיד חבר] of his, Rabbi Yosef Yedid, Rabbi Ezra Harari-Raful and others. Jerusalem, 1918. Especially rare and interesting letter.

The chachamim of Jerusalem appeal in their letter to "the exalted rabbi" (a known activist, whose name is mentioned in this letter, but out of respect for him, we won't mention his name) and they go out of their way to explain to him that they are discussing one of the rabbinic leaders of the generation: "A special gaon in Kabbalah"; "One of the leading Sephardic rabbis, revealer of the hidden, mighty warrior"; "G-dly Kabbalist, pious and humble" and so on. The rabbis also describe his desperate financial and health conditions to the recipient: "Unfortunately, his eyes no longer see"; "His livelihood is minimal and scant"; "He lives a life of sorrow upon sorrow" and they plead before the recipient of the letter that it would be helpful if he would support him: "Will you not help him at all? Consider him foremost! And his merit and his Torah will stand for us and for you." At the bottom of the letter is the recipient's astonishing reply in black ink and large letters: "No!" complete with exclamation point and underline. Heaven have mercy!

Rabbi Chaim Shaul Dweck HaKohen - HaRav HaSad"eh [1858-1933] was a leading Kabbalist. He was the chief rabbi of Aleppo, and rosh yeshivah of the Beit El and Rechovot HaNahar yeshivahs for Kabbalists. He was born in Aleppo to his father Rabbi Shaul Ezra HaKohen Dweck who was the chief rabbi of Aleppo and author of Emet Me'are"tz. In 1887, he began serving as rabbi of Aleppo. He ascended to the Land of Israel in 1890 with a group of rabbis from Aleppo. In Jerusalem, he was one of the leaders of the Beit El yeshivah in the Old City, and then of the Rechovot HaNahar yeshivah in the Bucharim neighborhood. He suffered many years in his eyes until he ultimately became blind (as appears in this letter before us).

[1] leaf paper, 21x27 cm.

Very fine condition. Fold marks. Filing perforations.