AI en Translation, Pages 1-25
Page 2
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Date ⟦line⟧ 4-5-1957
On the occasion of the blessed Passover holiday, His Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri, President of the Community, announces to the
honorable members of his community that His Excellency has obtained leave for the Jewish soldiers to be discharged on the two days of the holiday, coinciding with April 16th or 22nd,
1957.
Likewise, leave has been obtained for the relatives of Jewish prisoners and detainees to provide food and clothing during the days of the holiday
and the afternoon of the Eve to their imprisoned and detained relatives, noting that the Presidency of the Community provides, as usual, the prisoners in
Baquba (who were previously ⟦illegible⟧ in the women's prison) with food and clothing.
Page 4
Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
Baghdad on 20 / 5 / 1957
His Excellency Mr. Nuri Fattah, the respected
After greetings
We send to your Excellency the check numbered 228406 and dated
21 / 5 / 1957 drawn on the Ottoman Bank in the amount of one hundred dinars
and that is for our donation to the Algerian country, please inform us of receipt.
Please accept the assurances of my highest respect
Sincerely
Page 5
Presidency of the Jewish Communit⟦line⟧y
in Bagh⟦line⟧dad
Date: 8-3-1957
To the honorable members of the communi⟦line⟧ty
His Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, President of the Community, announces to the honorable members of his community
that it is necessary for the official registrar of engagement and marriage contracts, Mr. Naji Yaqub Badawi, to be present when the engagement is contracted
and that he himself shall perform the contract ceremonies and record them in his official record⟦line⟧s.
(And His Excellency prays for happiness and prosp⟦line⟧erity for all members of his community)
Page 6
Presidency of the Israelite Community⟦line⟧
Baghdad⟦line⟧
Date: ⟦line⟧ 8 - 3 - 97
To the honorable members⟦line⟧ of the community
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri, President of the Community, announces to the honorable members⟦line⟧ of the community
that it is necessary for the official registrar of engagement and marriage contracts, Mr. Naji Yaqub Munshi, to be present when the engagement is contracted
and that he should be asked to perform the ceremony and record it in his official registers⟦line⟧
(And His Eminence prays for happiness and prosperity for all members of his community)
Page 7
The Ja'fari Sharia Court in Baghdad
Number - 378
Date - 13/3/57
To -
The Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Your letter numbered T / 57/3815 and dated 28/1/957. Upon reviewing the marriage
authorization statement regarding the husband Sadoun Hassan Ali al-Masri and the wife Sabiha Salman Abdullah, it was found
that it was stated in the (Sect field) that the wife Sabiha Salman is a Ja'fari Muslim, as is the husband Sadoun
Hassan.
The Judge
Abdul Wahid al-Ansari
Page 8
Hakham Sassoon Khidhouri
HAKHAM SASSOON KEDOURY
President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
President of the
Jewish Community, Baghdad.
Baghdad on: 7 - 3 - 1957
Baghdad,:
His Eminence the Chief Rabbi, President of the Spiritual Council, Dr. I. Toff, the Respected
After greetings
With reference to your eminence's letter dated February 6, 1957, we have informed Mr. Shaul Benjamin
Rejwan of the contents of your above letter, and he informed us that he will travel to your side within three months.
Please accept our highest respect
Hakham Sassoon Khidhouri
President of the Jewish Community
In Baghdad
Page 9
His Excellency the Chief Rabbi, Head of the Spiritual Council
Dr. Isaac Nouri
Greetings,
With reference to your eminence's letter dated February 20, 1957
We have informed Mr. Shaul Nissan of the contents of your letter above
He promised us that he will travel to your side within three months
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Salim Khaddouri
Head of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
Page 11
Rabbinical Court of the Holy Community of Rome
BETH DIN
OF THE
ISRAELITE COMMUNITY OF ROME
Rome, ⟦line⟧ 5 Adar I° ⟦line⟧ 5717
⟦line⟧ 6 February ⟦line⟧ 1957
LUNGOTEVERE CENCI - TELEPHONE 564.807
Mr. Chief Rabbi Sasson Khadouri
Chief Rabbinate of
⟦line⟧ Bagdad ⟦line⟧
⟦line⟧ Iraq ⟦line⟧
Mr. Chief Rabbi,
Miss Daisy daughter of Raphael Amber presented herself to the Rabbinical Tribunal
of Rome to explain to it
her case.
She lived in Baghdad with her family and in 1950 in the month
of April or May became bound by "Erusin" with a young man
Mr Shaoul Jamen Rejwan (Baghdad Telephone 6801).
The young girl now lives in Rome where she works
and her desire would be to be released from her bond with Mr Rejwan
because she does not wish to leave Rome.
We first pray you to please call to your
office Mr Shaoul Rejwan to invite him to give the get to
Miss Amber according to the laws of Moses and Israel, saving her
from remaining an agunah.
We pray you, Mr Chief Rabbi, to accept our best
salutations.
The President of the Rabbinical Tribunal
Chief Rabbi Dr. E. Toaff
RABBINICAL TRIBUNAL OF ROME
Beth Ha-Din
Page 12
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 3531
5452
Number: T / 561
Date: 1 / 7 / 1956
Subject:
Excellency the Director General of Trade, Respected
Greetings,
Please grant your approval to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Sifrei Torah to Iran, noting that
all of them are preserved inside wooden boxes; four of these boxes are plated with silver, three of them are decorated with silver
only, and one is devoid of silver.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:
General Directorate of Antiquities for inspection and permission for their export
Directorate of Foreign Exchange for permission for their export and exemption from
⟦Directorate⟧ ⟦of Customs⟧ ⟦and Excise⟧ ⟦Baghdad⟧ ⟦for favor⟧ ⟦of approval⟧ ⟦for their export⟧
Page 13
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 3531
5452
Number: T/56
Date: 1 / 7 / 1956
Subject:
Excellency, Director General of Trade, Respectfully
After Greetings
Please grant your approval to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Sefer Torahs to Iran, noting that
all of them are kept inside wooden cases; four of these cases are plated with silver, three of them are embroidered with silver
only, and one is devoid of silver.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to: -
Directorate General of Ancient Antiquities for inspection and permission to export them
Foreign Exchange Directorate to allow their export and exempt them from
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Page 14
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 3531
5452
Number: T / 3736 / 56
Date: 5 / 7 / 1956
Subject:
His Excellency the Director General of Trade, Respectfully
Greetings,
We request your approval to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Torah scrolls to Iran, noting that
all of them are kept inside wooden cases; four of these cases are plated with silver, three of them are decorated with silver
only, and one is without silver ⟦line⟧ .
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sasson Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
A copy to:
General Directorate of Antiquities for inspection and permission for export
Directorate of Foreign Exchange for permission for export and exemption from
Baghdad Customs and Excise Directorate for inspection and permission for export
General Directorate of Orientation and Broadcasting - for your kind approval
Page 15
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 3531
5452
Number: T/3732/56
Date: 5/7/1956
Subject:
His Excellency the Respectable Director General of Trade ⟦line⟧
Greetings
We request your approval to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Torah scrolls to Iran, noting that
all of them are kept inside wooden cases; four of these cases are plated with silver, three of them are embroidered with silver
only, and one is devoid of silver ⟦line⟧ .
Please accept our highest respect ⟦line⟧
Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:-
General Directorate of Antiquities for examination and export permission
Directorate of Foreign Exchange for export permission and exemption from
Baghdad Customs and Excise Directorate for examination and export permission
General Directorate of Guidance and Broadcasting for kind approval
Page 16
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 3531
5452
No. T/56/
Date 1 / 7 / 1956
Subject: ⟦line⟧
His Excellency the Honorable Director General of Trade ⟦line⟧
After Greetings
Please grant your approval to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Sifrei Torah to Iran, noting that
all of them are kept inside wooden cases; four of these cases are plated with silver, three are decorated with silver
only, and one is devoid of silver. ⟦line⟧
Please accept the assurances of our highest respect ⟦line⟧
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to: -
Directorate General of Antiquities for inspection and permission for export
Directorate of Foreign Exchange for permission for export and exemption from
Directorate of Baghdad Customs and Excises for inspection and permission for export
Directorate of Guidance and General Broadcasting - for kind approval.
Page 17
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number ( 3531
5452
Number: T/ 56
Date: 1/7/1956
Subject: ⟦line⟧
His Excellency the respected Director General of Trade
After greetings
Your approval is requested to allow this Presidency to export 8 (eight) Torah scrolls to Iran, noting that
all of them are kept inside wooden cases; four of these cases are plated with silver, three of them are decorated with silver
only, and one is without silver ⟦line⟧ .
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khdhuri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to: -
Directorate of Antiquities General to examine them and allow their export
Directorate of Foreign Exchange to allow their export and exempt them from
Directorate of Baghdad Customs and Excises to examine them and allow their export
Page 18
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
3531
Telephone Number 5452
Number: T / 57
Date: 3 / 2 / 1957
Subject:
His Excellency the General Manager of Rafidain Bank, Respected
Greetings and respect,
We enclose herewith a check numbered 195565 dated 29 / 1 / 1957 for the amount of 12,500/- dinars
(Twelve thousand five hundred dinars only) and we request depositing it into a fixed account in your bank for a full year
at an interest rate of 3.5% annually according to the agreement made with your management, in the name of the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad. This will be signed upon receipt by the Chairman of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Farid Dawood Samra,
and his deputy, Mr. Frank Yameen. In the event of the absence of either of them, the Administrative Committee member, Mr. Shaul Sassoon
Naftali, whose specimen signatures are shown below, will sign. We also enclose herewith a true copy of the Ministry of Justice order forming the
aforementioned Administrative Committee.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Specimen signature of Member | Specimen signature of Vice President | Specimen signature of President
Mr. Shaul Sassoon Naftali | Mr. Frank Yameen | Mr. Farid Dawood Samra
We certify the authenticity of the signatures shown above
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Page 19
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number T /: ⟦...⟧ / 57
Date: 8 / 2 / 1957
Subject
2
His Excellency the General Manager of Railways, Respected
After greetings
We kindly request your approval to provide us with one ton of wooden fuel (sleepers)
to be used by this Presidency against payment of its price.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting Head of the Community
Page 20
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Number T/507
Date 17 / 2 / 1957
Telephone Number 3531
5452
Subject:
4
The Honorable Clement Aqib
After greetings
Mr. Munir Basri has referred to us your letter dated February 5, 1957, and accordingly, we hasten to answer
the requested questions.
- 1 Iraqi Jews are subject to the provisions of Iraqi laws; as for the provisions of marriage and divorce, they are subject
to the provisions of the Mosaic Law according to the rulings and rules approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Justice published
in the Iraqi Gazette (Official Gazette of the Iraqi Government) in its issue numbered 2698 and published
on 1/31/1949, and you will find enclosed a copy of these rulings and rules, which are marked in red ink (page
29 - 41 of the Permanent Collection).
- 2 As for your question regarding inheritance, the provisions of Hanafi jurisprudence are applied to Iraqi Jews, and what was mentioned in your questions in
paragraphs b. c. d. e. f., Hanafi jurisprudence is applied to them as we indicated above, according to the principles
established by the Iraqi law in force.
We hope that you find this answer sufficient for what is required, and we also hope that this letter be considered as
the required testimony.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
Page 21
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Number: T / 57
Date: 17 / 2 / 1957
Telephone Number: 3531 / 5452
Subject:
To the honorable Mr. Clément Atiq
After greetings,
Professor Sabri has referred to us your letter dated February 5, 1957, in which he requested an answer to
the required questions:
1 - Iraqi Jews are subject to the provisions of Iraqi laws. As for the provisions regarding marriage and divorce, they are subject
to the provisions of the Mosaic Law according to the regulations and rules approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and published
in the Iraqi Al-Waqai' (the official gazette of the Iraqi government) in its issue number 2698 dated
1/31/1949. Enclosed you will find a copy of these rules and regulations, which are marked in red ink (page
29 - 41 of the Permanent Collection).
2 - Regarding your question concerning inheritance, the provisions of Hanafi jurisprudence apply to Iraqi Jews. What was mentioned in your questions in
paragraphs B, C, D, E, and F, Hanafi jurisprudence applies to them as we indicated above, according to the foundations
stipulated by the effective Iraqi law.
We hope you find this answer sufficient for what is required, and we ask you to consider this letter as
the required certificate.
Please accept our highest respect,
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
Page 22
AKERIB Clément
151 Rue Georges Mercié
CASABLANCA (MOROCCO)
Casablanca, February 5, 1957
Mr. MEIR BASRI
Secretary to the Council of the Jewish Community
BAGHDAD (Iraq)
Sir,
I am taking the liberty of writing to you following a
visit I paid in recent days to the AMBASSADOR of IRAQ
in RABAT (Morocco); indeed, he recommended that I contact you for
the following information:
I need a Certificate of Customary Law
concerning the following points:
1°) What is the Status of IRAQI Jews
a) Are they governed by an Iraqi national law
b) Are they governed by Mosaic law?
2°) More specifically, regarding IRAQI Jews
a) What is the legal matrimonial regime
b) What is the rules of succession in the presence of a widow
and legitimate children (daughters and sons)
c) Do legitimate children benefit from a reserved share of the
estate of their father?
d) If so, what is this reserved share?
e) Can a father <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> disinherit one or more of his
children during his lifetime
f) Can a father favor one of his children during his lifetime.
In the event that this official document would involve
fees, please let me know by return mail so that I may cover
your efforts and costs immediately.
In any case, I would ask you to treat this with
URGENCY as I absolutely need this CERTIFICATE OF CUSTOMARY LAW within
the shortest possible time.
I thank you very sincerely in advance and
hope to hear from you by return mail.
Please accept, Sir, my distinguished greetings.
⟦signature⟧
Page 23
Sir,
Akereb Clément
CORINE Building,
Corner of Georges Mercié Street
and Lapérouse Street
CASABLANCA
(Morocco)
Sir,
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of
June 8, 1956 and to allow us to answer your
questions we request your clarification on the
following matters:
1- Please give more details on question 20 a)
20 c).
2- Question 20-d) depends entirely on the clarification
of the two questions above.
Upon receipt of the requested information
we will send you our response without fail.
Please accept, Sir, our distinguished
salutations.
Mr. Clement Akereb - Morocco
In response to your letter dated 8/6/1956 and in order for us to be able to answer your questions
we request detailed clarifications from you on the following points:
1- Please give us all possible details about your question in paragraph 20 a and c.
2- Your question in paragraph 20 d is dependent on the details requested for the questions mentioned
above
When we receive the requested information we will give you our full answer without delay.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest respect
Page 24
Sender: Clement Agoub
5/22/1952
Casablanca
To the Religious Court - Baghdad - Iraq
Gentlemen,
I request that you kindly provide me with a certificate according to customary practice on the points
detailed below:
1 - What is the legal status of Iraqi Jews?
a - Are they subject to Iraqi national laws?
b - Are they subject to Mosaic Law?
2 - And specifically concerning Iraqi Israelites.
a - What is the legal procedure for marriage in their sect?
b - To whom does the ownership of inheritance devolve after their death with legitimate children
(males and females)?
c - Can legitimate children benefit from * the granting of inheritance with
a condition on the inheritance of their father? (Meaning a grant under condition)
d - If the answer is in the affirmative, what is this condition? Following the above question.
e - Can the father disinherit one or more of
his children during his lifetime?
f - Can the father favor one of his children?
Thank you in advance and I hope that you will provide me with the customary certificate by return mail, and please accept my greetings
⟦illegible⟧
Page 25
AKERIB ⟦Clément⟧
CORINE Building
Corner of Georges Mercié Street
and Lepérouse street
CASABLANCA
(Morocco)
Casablanca, May 22, 1956
RABBINICAL TRIBUNAL
BAGHDAD (Iraq)
Gentlemen,
I take the liberty of asking you
to please send me a certificate of Customs
regarding the following points:
1°) What is the status of IRAQI Israelites
a) are they governed by an Iraqi national law
b) are they governed by Mosaic law?
2°) More particularly, regarding IRAQI Israelites
a) what is the legal matrimonial regime
b) what is the succession devolution
in the presence of a widow and legitimate children
(girls and boys)
c) do legitimate children benefit from a
reserve on their father's estate?
d) If yes, what is this reserve?
e) can a father disinherit one or more of
his children during his lifetime
f) can a father favor one of his children
during his lifetime.
I thank you in advance for your
kindness and hope that you will send me this
certificate of customs by return mail.
Please accept, Gentlemen, my
distinguished greetings.
⟦signature⟧