AI en Translation, Pages 1-25
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Baghdad | 18/8/89
To the Chevra Kadisha and Gemilut Hasadim of our community Baghdad
Baghdad
The decision of the Spiritual Council has already been made known to you . . . in the name of the building committee of "Chevra Kadisha" and Gemilut Hasadim
to act and do for the benefit of the aforementioned institution, and so we hereby send you a list of contributions received
from the honorable people for the aforementioned building totaling one hundred and forty-eight dinars.
And please accept our feelings of gratitude and our blessing.
With great respect
⟦illegible signature⟧
The Spiritual Council
THE SPIRITUAL COUNCIL HIBRA ⟦KADISHA⟧
The Spiritual Council
The Spiritual Council
Baghdad
Baghdad
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22 January [19]28
To the attention of His Excellency the respected Minister of Interior.
Greetings and respect:
I submit herewith a copy of the internal bylaws along with the statement of the "Hevra Kadisha" association
which was formed by trustworthy individuals for the purpose of managing the affairs of shrouding and burial for the members of
our community, and since we see no objection to its establishment to ensure discipline and improve the project, please
order the granting of legal permission and inform us of the result. For this, we offer you our utmost thanks.
Acting Chief Rabbi
Baghdad.
Page 7
5
Transaction
December 16, 1928
His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Interior
Subject: Postponement of the license for the (Hevra Kadisha) association
After greetings, following up on our letter dated November 22, 1928 regarding
the request for a license for the "Hevra Kadisha" association.
In view of the sudden changes in the administration of the Jewish community as a
result of the end of the term of the Communal Lay Council, and since the elections
for the new council are nearing completion, we have found it most appropriate to present this project
to the new council upon its convening before obtaining the license.
Therefore, we hope that you will postpone considering the granting of the aforementioned license until
further notice.
With much gratitude and respect to Your Excellency,
⟦signature⟧
Acting Chief Rabbi
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6
219 / H
⟦Baghdad on⟧ 12 February 929
⟦Number⟧ 23 K 2 929
His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hooki
Chairman of the Hebra Qaddisha Committee, Respected
Subject: Dissolution of the committee and submission of its accounts
For administrative reasons, we notify you hereby that we do not see a necessity for
the continuation of your committee at the present time; therefore, it has become
dissolved from the above date, which necessitates that you submit
as soon as possible a detailed account to this office regarding what you have
of funds, furniture, and other matters pertaining to the dissolved committee.
Acting Hakham Bashi
⟦Acting Hakham Bashi⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi
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The Chief Rabbi
of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Number: 9/453
Date: February 13, 1929
Telephone Number: 200 Central
Very Urgent
His Excellency the President of the Honorable Lay Council
Subject: Concerning the Hevra Kadisha Association
On November 22, 1928, I had requested from the Ministry of Interior
a permit to form an association under the name "Hevra Kadisha". And on January 16, 1929, I followed up
my request with a plea to suspend the issuance of the permit until the matter was presented to the
Honorable Lay Council, which was dissolved at that time.
Since we have understood that the Ministry of Interior has recently granted the aforementioned permit,
I saw it necessary to present the matter to your honorable council for consideration with utmost speed based on
the authority of Article 43 of the Rabbinate Regulations.
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Chief Rabbi
Page 10
10 February 929
Administration of the Lay Council
of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number: 51/H.B/29
Date: 14 February 929
8
Secret
His Excellency the Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad, the Respected
Subject: Withdrawal of the Hevra Kadisha license
Reference to your Excellency's letter No. 352/H dated the 13th of this month
Our council, upon putting the issue of the Hevra Kadisha up for discussion in
yesterday's session, found that the formation of such committees is a matter for the
Lay Council to consider based on the wording of Article 43 of the Rabbinate Regulations
Therefore, it has become necessary to notify the Ministry of Interior of this to withdraw the license, especially since such
sectarian formations that do not derive their spirit from the official community administration
cause an obstruction in the conduct of affairs
Vice President of the Lay Council
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The Chief Rabbi
of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Number: 256 / E
Date: 15 February 929
Telephone Number: 200 Central
9
His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Interior
Subject: Regarding the license of Hebra Qaddisha
After greetings, on November 22, 928, we requested from your esteemed ministry
to grant a license to form a committee under the title mentioned above, and that was during the vacancy
of the esteemed Lay Council. On 16/12/1928, I followed up my previous request
with a request to postpone granting the required license, given that the Lay Council was about
to convene, and it is a legal necessity to seek its opinion on such a communal matter.
Based on what has reached us that your esteemed ministry has granted the required license
before the Council could deliberate on this matter and before we could provide you with the result of its view, the
Lay Council met on Tuesday, February 13, 929, and decided that we represent to your Excellency that -
Article 43 of the Rabbinate Regulations stated that among the functions of the respected Lay Council
is to oversee all affairs of the communal committees in terms of their formation, dissolution,
auditing their accounts, and so forth.
And since the affairs of shrouding and burial have been proceeding well since ancient times, the
Council saw that the Hebra Qaddisha committee is not necessary, nor is it among the committees that can
benefit the community at such a time; rather, on the contrary, it creates problems and unrest that the
Council does not see as beneficial or of public utility in its existence. The least that the formation of this committee does is increase
the spirit of partisanship within the community.
Therefore, the High Lay Council requests that you kindly cancel the license of the
mentioned committee.
To your Excellency much respect.
Acting Chief Rabbi
⟦stamp/signature⟧
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The Iraqi Government
Ministry of the Interior
Urgent
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
'IRAQ.
BAGHDAD.
Baghdad on February 23, 1929
Number 25 / 29
To the Acting Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad.
With reference to your letter number 356 dated February 15, 1929.
The Ministry previously authorized the establishment of this association based on your request submitted to us on
November 22, 1928, and based on the fact that it found no objection to its establishment
and its activities were not previously entrusted to the Spiritual or Physical Council, and it is a
beneficial institution according to what appeared to us at the time. Since the granting of the license until now, there have been no
violations or other matters that necessitate its cancellation, and what you mentioned recently in your request, we do not see it as sufficient
to rely upon for canceling that license. However, if anything appears from the aforementioned association in the future
that contradicts the Rabbinic regulations, you may submit such a request for our consideration.
Acting Minister of the Interior
⟦signature⟧
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The Hakham Bashi
of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Number: 5/80 P
Date: 7 March 929
11
Telephone Number: 200 Central
To the Honorable Vice President of the Lay Council
Subject: Regarding the license of the Hevra Kadisha Committee
Reference to your letter No. 51/JS/929 dated February 14, 929, we list below
a true copy of the letter received by this department from the Ministry of Interior in response to
our letter to the aforementioned ministry based on the council's decision, the content of which was included in your
above-mentioned letter.
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi
⟦line⟧
Ministry of Interior
Urgent
25
Baghdad on: February 23, 1929
Number: 2905
To the Acting Hakham Bashi of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad.
With reference to your letter No. 356 dated February 15, 1929
The ministry previously authorized the establishment of this association based on your request submitted to us on
November 22, 1928, and based on the fact that it found no objection to its establishment
and its activities were not previously entrusted to the Spiritual or Lay Council, and it is a
beneficial institution as appeared to us at the time, and since the granting of the license until now, no
violations or other matters have occurred that necessitate its cancellation, and what you recently stated in your request we do not see as sufficient
grounds for cancelling that license. However, if anything appears from the mentioned association in the future
that contradicts the Rabbinic Regulation, you may submit such a request for consideration.
True Copy
Signature
Acting Minister of Interior
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Administration of the Lay Council
of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Jewish Lay Council
Baghdad.
Telephone: 200 Central
Telephone: 200 Central.
12
No.: 114/JS/1929
Date: ⟦8/9⟧ April 929
Subject: Request for a detailed account from the Hebra Qaddisha Committee
His Excellency the Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad
Our council decided in its session held yesterday that you request the Hebra
Qaddisha Committee to submit a detailed account of all the committee's income and expenses since its formation
to date,
⟦signature⟧
Vice President of the Lay Council
Office of the Chief Rabbi - Baghdad
Number ⟦...⟧
Date 8 April ⟦...⟧
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI
BAGHDAD
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Number: 426 / H
Date: April 9, [19]29
The Chief Rabbi
of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Telephone Number: 200 Central
To
Head of the Hevra Kadisha Committee
Subject: Request for a detailed account from the committee
Based on the request of the Secular Council No. 114 / JS / 929 dated April 9, 929
We notify you of the necessity of submitting a detailed account of all your committee's revenues and expenses since its formation until
this date as soon as possible.
Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad
Hevra Kadisha
⟦illegible⟧
N. M
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To His Excellency the Respected Prime Minister
May we never be without his help for the afflicted and the destined
16
Number ⟦...⟧
Date: April 9, ⟦19⟧
Your Excellency:
I am the head of a family consisting of my husband, three sons, and three daughters. My husband inherited a profession from
his fathers and grandfathers, and although it is one of the most miserable professions, we were content with it: the profession of shrouding the dead
and preparing them. He used to perform the duties of this profession with sincerity and contentment.
However, unfortunately, people appeared who envied him for this illusory blessing and formed an unprecedented group.
Then they soon obtained a license from the Ministry of Interior for a society known as the Hebra Kadisha Society
for shrouding and preparing the dead, without obtaining the approval of the Sectarian Communal Council. Their action, which
conceals personal interests, was condemned by the thinkers of the sect, the Communal Council, and every
person of zeal and compassion for the poor.
For about two and a half years, my husband has remained empty-handed; he and his family are starving through no
fault of our own. I wish to present to my lord, Your Excellency, that Israeli law does not
allow such a group of people to rob us of our daily sustenance and close the door of my husband's livelihood, as he inherited
this profession from his fathers and grandfathers, and he has acquired the right of ownership in it, known in Israeli law ⟦as (Hazaka)⟧.
Believe me, my lord Your Excellency, that our condition has become deplorable; we spend most nights without dinner,
and were it not for pride and modesty, we would have been forced to stretch out our hands for begging. Therefore, I beg you to be so kind as to look
upon us with an eye of compassion, stop the hands of those trespassing on my husband's profession, and allow him to practice his
old profession. This can be verified through His Eminence the Hacham Bashi of Baghdad.
I pray for Your Excellency's long life and success ⟦...⟧
Your obedient servant
Karjiya daughter of Sitti Bani
IRAQ
REVENUE
Financial
⟦...⟧
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17
Private
8 January 930
My dear Jamil Bey Ruhi
Aide-de-camp to His Excellency the respected Prime Minister
After greetings, the husband of the bearer of your letter dated 29 / 12 / 30
he and his family are justified in their complaint. And I share His Excellency the Prime
Minister's sympathy for the demands of this poor family.
However, I wish to submit that an association known as the
(Hevra Kadisha) association was formed some time ago for the shrouding of Israeli dead and has
clamped down on the petitioner, preventing him from earning a living, claiming a permit
it obtained from the esteemed Ministry of Interior.
The Israeli Lay Council was foremost among those wishing
to keep the situation as it was and not to interfere with the livelihood
of this family. However, the inclusion of this association and its aforementioned prevention
from work has made assisting the aforementioned person impossible.
Sincerely yours with complete respect,
On behalf of ⟦signature⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad
⟦Presidency⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦of the Israeli Community⟧
⟦in Baghdad⟧
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Iraqi Government
Ministry of Justice
Please refer to
General Number
Division: Legal Codification
General Number: 4/26/940
Special Number:
Telegraphic Address: Justice
Date: 2 / 2 / 1930
Subject Summary:
Acting Chief Rabbi
We are sending you herewith a copy of the petition of Karjia Munshi Mani and we request an explanation of the situation
as soon as possible.
⟦signature⟧
Minister of Justice
Office of the Chief Rabbi - Baghdad
Number 194
Date 7 / 2 / 1930
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI
BAGHDAD
E
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20
Iraqi Government
Ministry of Justice
Drafting Section
General Number 4/224
Special Number
Telegraphic Address: Adliya
Date: 13 February 1930.
Please refer to
The General Number
Summary of the Subject: Petition of Karjiya Menashi Muna.
To "
Hahambashi of Baghdad.
Reference to your letter numbered 1042/H and dated 11 February 1930.
Upon examining the petition of the applicant Karjiya Menashi Muna and reviewing your aforementioned letter,
it has become clear to us that the applicant's case is a matter for the communal authorities to resolve, and therefore we saw no
reason to interfere in it. We have referred to you the petition sent herewith, hoping that you will
take the necessary steps to resolve this case according to the regulations and communal rulings and inform us
of the result;
Minister of Justice
Office of the Hahambashi - Baghdad
Number 202
Date 15 / 2 / 30
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI
BAGHDAD
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Baghdad on 24 December ⟦...⟧
Ministry of Justice - Baghdad:
Petition Number: ⟦...⟧
Date of Receipt: ⟦...⟧
His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Justice
May we never lack him as an aid to the afflicted and the destined
Your Excellency:
I am the head of a family consisting of a husband, three sons, and three daughters
And this husband of mine inherited a profession from his fathers and grandfathers - and even if it was among the most pious professions - he was content
with it, which is shrouding and preparing the Jewish dead. He used to perform the tasks of this profession with sincerity
and contentment. However, unfortunately, people appeared who envied him for this illusory blessing and followed
a clique against his integrity, then it was not long before they obtained a permit from the Ministry of Interior for an association known
as the Charitable Association for Shrouding and Preparing the Dead, without obtaining the approval of the Sectarian Communal Council.
Their action, behind which personal interests are hidden, was considered reprehensible by the thinkers among the members of the sect,
the Communal Council, and everyone who possesses zeal and compassion for the poor.
And for about two and a half years, my husband has remained empty-handed, starving along with his family,
not for any guilt he committed. I hope to present to my master, His Excellency, that the Jewish Law
does not permit such a clique of people to rob our daily sustenance and close the door of my husband's livelihood, especially
since he inherited this profession from his fathers and grandfathers and has acquired the tenure known
in Jewish Law as [Hazaka].
So be assured, my lord Your Excellency, that our condition has become deplorable; we spend
most nights without dinner, and were it not for pride and modesty, we would have been forced to extend our hands for begging.
Therefore, I plead for mercy that you may be so kind as to look upon us with a gaze of compassion and stop the hands of the transgressors
from my husband's profession and allow him to practice his old profession.
I pray for Your Excellency's long life and success, my lord;
Your obedient servant
Karjiya Nashi Matta
Ministry of Justice:
Legal Drafting Department:
Number: ⟦...⟧
Date: ⟦...⟧
21
84
IRAQ
REVENUE
Financial
His Excellency the Minister -
It was confirmed by his statement that he is very poor - supported in that by an examination of the justice of the limits
27 / 1 / 930
Audit 28 / 1 / 930