Tuesday Jul 8, 2025
HE
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Jewish World

Letter by prominent rabbi fetches $700,000 at auction

The 18th-century manuscript by the Or HaChaim offers a rare glimpse into Moroccan Jewish history. 

by  Assaf Golan
Published on  01-23-2025 06:00
Last modified: 01-23-2025 08:40
Letter by prominent rabbi fetches $700,000 at auctionKedem Auction House

A rare handwritten letter by Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, author of "Or HaChaim" | Photo: Kedem Auction House

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A historic handwritten letter by Rabbi Chaim ben Attar (1696-1743), the revered author of the biblical commentary "Or HaChaim," sold for $700,000 (2.5 million shekels) at auction in Jerusalem Wednesday. The sale, conducted by Kedem auction house, includes an additional 25 percent commission fee.

The manuscript, which emerged from a comprehensive collection assembled by Attorney Dr. Avigdor Klagsbald, features the distinctive signature of Rabbi Chaim ben Attar and addresses the religious judges of Meknes regarding tax relief for a community member. The letter was discovered within a remarkable volume containing hundreds of manuscripts and signatures from prominent 18th-century Moroccan Torah scholars, including Rabbi Yaakov ibn Tzur and Rabbi Yehudah ben Attar.

Rabbi Chaim ben Attar's legacy extends far beyond this single document. As a leading advocate for Jewish immigration to the land of Israel, he led by example during a period of severe persecution and famine in Morocco. These challenging circumstances not only influenced his decision to immigrate but also impacted the writing of his seminal work "Or HaChaim," where he acknowledged variations in commentary length due to the period's upheavals.

The letter bears Rabbi Chaim ben Attar's distinctive signature (Kedem Auction House)

In a remarkable journey that would shape Jerusalem's religious landscape, Rabbi Chaim ben Attar arrived first in Acre with 30 students, intending to establish a yeshiva. After navigating through epidemics in the Galilee, he eventually settled in Jerusalem, where he purchased a historic courtyard – traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, commonly known as the Ari, two centuries earlier – and established his study hall.

Despite his Sephardic background, Rabbi Chaim ben Attar achieved unprecedented recognition among Hasidic communities throughout Europe, with his writings becoming cornerstone texts in Hasidic thought. The study hall he founded demonstrated similar resilience, surviving the 1948 Jordanian destruction of Jewish institutions and later undergoing renovation on Or HaChaim Street in the Jewish Quarter following the Six-Day War.

Rabbi Chaim ben Attar's influence continues well beyond his brief life, which ended at age 47 in 1743. His tomb on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives serves as a significant pilgrimage site, drawing thousands annually who seek blessings at the final resting place of this influential Jewish scholar.

Tags: auction

Related Posts

Metal band booed for supporting IsraelAlon Levine

Metal band booed for supporting Israel

by Inbal Chiat

David Draiman shared a series of particularly sharp tweets on X with his millions of fans, writing, "Yes, there were...

Australian Jews warn of near-massacre as antisemitic attacks rock MelbourneJosh Stanyer/EPA

Australian Jews warn of near-massacre as antisemitic attacks rock Melbourne

by Shirit Avitan Cohen

Jewish community leaders issue urgent warnings after coordinated antisemitic attacks in Melbourne nearly resulted in mass casualties at a synagogue...

US private school kicks out Jewish students who faced antisemitic bullyingGetty Images/iStockphoto/dolgachov

US private school kicks out Jewish students who faced antisemitic bullying

by Miri Weissman

The Nysmith School for the Gifted, ranked among the nation's top educational institutions, allegedly celebrated Adolf Hitler as a "strong...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il