“Saba Kadisha” Rabbi Sholomo Eliezer Alfandari, Rare letter of recommendation  Tzfas 1921

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“Saba Kadisha” Rabbi Sholomo Eliezer Alfandari, Rare letter of recommendation  Tzfas 1921

"Although it is not my way to Write ... as an exception…"

A rare letter of recommendation from the noted Kabbalist, Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, also known as the Saba Kadisha. The letter regards Rabbi Berish Saltz, Rosh Yeshiva and Rabbi in Tzfas.

Dated 1921, the recommendation is written on official stationery of the Chief Rabbi of Tzfas. Rabbi Alfandari signed his name in clear, unembellished handwriting to ensure its legibility by Ashkenazic rabbanim.

Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, (1826 - 1930) was a brilliant and world renowned scholar and miracle-worker. Also known as the Saba Kadisha, he served as chief rabbi of Constantinople, Damascus and Tzfas. He was known to be zealously stringent and strong-minded in his worldviews, ardently opposing the Zionist movement, the establishment of the Agudas Yisrael, and altogether any amendments to authentic Judaism. 

Rabbi Berish Saltz was a loyalist in the home of the Saba Kadisha in Tzfas and was childless for many years. It is recounted that after being provoked by an acquaintance regarding his childlessness, the Sabba Kadisha reassured him that in the Torah's merit he would be blessed with child within the year, which is indeed what transpired.

22 x 27 cm | Official stationery | Exceptionally rare