A letter of recommendation written by Rabbi David Abuchatzeira for Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Ashkenazi, rabbinical messenger of the Ashkenazic community in Tzefas.
It is written in the handwriting of Rabbi David Abuchatzeira and signed by his father, Rabbi Masoud Abuchatzeira.
Rabbi Masoud Abuchatzeira (1836 – 1908) was the Av Beis Din of Tafillalt. He was the firstborn son of the Abir Yaakov, Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira, and father of the Baba Sali.
Rabbi David Abuchatzeira (1866 – 1920), otherwise known as the Ateres Rosheinu, was the firstborn son of Rabbi Masoud Abuchatzeira and grandson of the Abir Yaakov, Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira.
His death was tragic: In 1920, Mulai Muhammad bin Qasim decreed death upon all Jews of Tafillalt, accusing them of secretly conspiring with the French occupiers, and purposely did not specify a date of execution.
On Shabbos, December 6, 1919, Rabbi David donned black weekday clothes instead of his usual white Shabbos garb. That afternoon, Mulai Muhammad began gathering the Jews preparing to annihilate them but Rabbi David encouraged them, telling them that he had prayed that he alone be killed. Indeed, Mulai Muhammad's advisers convinced him to kill only the Rabbi of the Jews, and Rabbi David along with two wealthy men, Rabbi Yitzchak Ben Simchon and his son Rabbi David, were shot to death. Mulai Muhammad then forbade the Jews from mourning the tragic death of their Rabbi.
[1] page | 26 x 19 | Professionally restored with reinforced margins, some of the text is blurred and missing
