'Iggeret Megid Meitzarim' - Plea for Assistance from the Sages and Rabbis of Esfahan

'Iggeret Megid Meitzarim' - Plea for Assistance from the Sages and Rabbis of Esfahan

Letter from the sages and rabbis of Esfahan, imploring Sir Moses Montefiore to come to their aid due to their difficult situation, and requesting of him to intercede on their behalf before King Nasirion (Nasser A-Din Shah Qajar), the Persian ruler, in order to save them from starvation. Esfahan, 1873.

Specifications: [1] page, blue paper. 21X27 cm. Signatures of seven prominent personalities, of which four are calligraphic signatures, and with the addition of personal seals to three.

Background: The letter describes the shocking circumstances of the city's Jews who suffer from starvation and unemployment, and were collapsing under the oppressive tax burden. Many had died already, and there remain only about one thousand five hundred families whose lives hang in the balance. Later in the letter, they ask Montefiore to obtain a letter from the king, who was to visit England for the first time. And according the concept 'the meritorious man is given opportunity to accrue additional merit through helping those deserving of need,' they asserted that he was meritorious of the mitzvah of redeeming captives and bringing relief and deliverance to the Jews by means of this letter.

Indeed, King Nasser A-Din was the first Persian ruler to visit Europe, and during the visit he met with Montefiore.

Unique Features: Particularly moving and rare historical letter describing the circumstances of the Jews in detail. Valuable historical document of the experiences and suffering of the Iranian Jews.

Condition: Fine condition. A few stains.