History of the Chassidic Community of Tzfas. Large Archive of letters and documents. 19th century
Over two hundred documents and manuscripts containing rich documentary material on the life of the Chassidic community in Tzfas; the activities within their chaluka organizations and regarding their emissaries, their ties with foreign donors and the manner with which they dealt with consuls and government officials.
The documents include many references to the great polemics and controversies between the different communities in Europe and Tzfas.
A large portion of these documents bear testimony to the daily lives, struggles, hardships, achievements and triumphs of the Jews residing in Israel in the 19th century.
These well-kept documents and correspondences give us a unique historical glimpse into the world of 19th century Jewry in Palestine and in Europe as well.
Some of these letters and manuscripts were written by the most prominent personalities of the community’s history, including the names of hundreds of figures involved in the daily community management.
The lion’s share of the Tzfas Jewish community’s livelihood came from donations sent from abroad, known as "distribution funds, " split between three kollelim:
Kollel Vizhnitz, led by the Admor- Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz;
Kollel Lvov, led by Rabbi Yitzchak Aharon Ittinge of Lvov
Kollel Kossov, led by the Admor- Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Kasov.
Included in this archive: Letters from the managers appointed by the kollelim; letters from the Admorim presiding over the kollelim,
written by their assistants who managed Kollel Austria; letters of warning sent abroad from the residents of Tzfas, warning not to allow unscrupulous men to take control of the kollelim; letters of ex-communication against those instigating controversy; letters from the rabbinical emissaries of the kollelim which were distributed throughout the Diaspora; drafts of pashkevils; lists of collection money from various villages; lists of distribution funds; financial reports; receipts; urgent letters of request from families in distress and mothers of orphans and much more.
The following is a small sampling of the vast material found in this archive:
● Rare letter including a brief overview of the manner in which money was collected and distributed from the time of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and Rabbi Chaim of Kossov, including interesting details and stories. the letter is unsigned.
● Many letters from Rabbi Moshe Charag, legendary supervisor of Kollel Vizhinitz and one of the most influential characters, involved as well in the settlement’s controversies. Included among these letters is a rare letter to an assistant of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz regarding a lot purchased by Rabbi Chaim of Kossov in Tzfas .
● Letters from Rabbi Itamar Tov, Rabbi and supervisor of Kollel Austria in Tveria.
● Letters to the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz, some addressed directly to him and others addressed to his assistant and scribe, Rabbi Moshe HaLevi Brummer.
● Letter of excommunication issued during the bitter controversy between Kollel Kossov and Kollel Vizhnitz.
● Letter from emissaries of Tzfas in Livorno, Italy addressed to the supervisor of Kollel Austreich.
● Interesting letter from a Judaica merchant from Tzfas who had traveled to Azmir in order to sell merchandise. Among other matters, he requests that Judaica and sefarim from Tzfas be sent to Turkey.
This rare collection of letters is a treasure trove of history documenting the lives and lifestyle of the Tzfas Jewish community. It includes much material vital to the historical research of the Jewish settlement of Tzfas.
