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Judaica and Hasidic Books and Manuscripts

Lot 85:

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Historic 1921 Moroccan Rabbinic Folio – The Jewish Community of Sefrou ("Little Jerusalem") to the Va'ad HaMa'aravim in Jerusalem

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Start price: £120

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Description

An extraordinary and visually stunning primary manuscript tracing the elite rabbinic and charitable networks linking the historic Moroccan diaspora with the North African community (Ma’aravim) in Jerusalem during the opening years of the British Mandate.

  • Overview: An official community document written in an exquisite, highly professional Moroccan rabbinic cursive script (Western Chazi-Kulamos / semi-Solitreo), featuring the formal printed institutional letterhead of Sefrou and its official leadership seal.
  • The Sefrou Heritage ("Little Jerusalem"): Issued by the Va’ad Nivchar (Elected Executive Committee) of Sefrou, Morocco (צפרו). Sefrou was universally revered across North Africa as "Yerushalayim HaKetana" (ירושלים הקטנה) due to its matchless density of Torah giants, famous kabbalists, and pristine communal frameworks. This letter captures the community at its peak of institutional organization.
  • The Unique Dual-Calendar Date Block: The document features a fascinating chronological cross-over at the top right margin, explicitly matching the Hebrew date with the secular year: 27 Adar I 5681 (27 אדר א’ 5681 / March 7, 1921).
  • The Content & Elite Family Lineages: The letter acknowledges a previous communication from Jerusalem dated 22 Shevat, detailing intricate regional fiscal allocations and charity accounting.
  • Collector’s Highlight: The text contains highly significant genealogical mentions of the iconic Amar (עמר) dynasty—one of the most prominent, aristocratic, and wealthy families in Moroccan Jewish history. It confirms a specific monetary transfer of 120 Francs dispatched to the Holy Land securely via the formal postal system ("פוסט" / Poste), demonstrating the modernization of trans-continental community banking.
  • The Recipient Circle: Addressed directly to the leadership of the Va’ad HaMa’aravim (ועד העדה המערבית בירושלים), the historic institutional backbone of North African Jewry in the Old Yishuv, which was supported for generations by the elite philanthropists of Casablanca, Fez, and Sefrou.
  • Official Seals: The lower center is deeply struck with a beautifully preserved, bold purple ink community stamp reading: "Comité de Communauté Israélite – SEFROU (Maroc) / ועד נבחר ונימוסי מק"ק צפרו יע"א".

Condition report:

Status: Exceptional Archival Condition.


Details: The large, premium community folio sheet is structurally flawless, showing sharp edges and its original, clean folding creases. The paper displays a beautiful, warm uniform natural golden-cream patina. The printed bilingual French-Hebrew letterhead, the extensive elegant handwritten script, and the large official institutional purple seal are perfectly bold, dark, and 100% legible. Free of any paper loss or staining.