Bidspirit auction | MOVING LETTER SUPPORTING FUNDRAISING MISSION

MOVING LETTER SUPPORTING FUNDRAISING MISSION OF RABBI CHAIM MODAI AFTER 1760 EARTHQUAKE. Rare printed broadside containing letter written by the Pekidei Tzfas [officers of Tzfas] in Constantinople, in support of the fundraising mission of Rabbi Chaim Modai after the 1760 earthquake, describing the state of the refugees living in Acco and the debts they owed to the Arabs. Printed in Constantinople and sent to the wealthy R. Meir Revigo. Signed by the Pekidei Tzfas in Constantinople: Yaakov Zogana, Moshe Bechar, Baruch Zogana, Yaakov Bonfil, Yosef Yehuda and Yaakov Ashkenazi. “The destruction that has affected the holy city of Tzfas in the Holy Land is well known ... the oppressive enemies ... the forces of Edom and Yishmael demand huge sums every year ... forcing them to borrow money on interest ... in the year 5520 the earthquake struck and houses were destroyed ... they were unable to remain on the mountain because of the rain ... the local ruler brought them to Acco ...”. First published by Yitzchak Rivkind in ‘Yerushalayim’ in memory of Lunz 1928 pp. 123-6. For details on the earthquake and on this fundraising mission, see Yaari, Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael pp. 450-455. 1 side. 22 x 33.5 cm. Very good condition.