AI English Translation, Pages 126-150
General Form (11)
From: President of the Court of Cassation of Iraq
Number: 32 /
Date: 13 / Shawwal / 1352
To: Chief Rabbi of Baghdad
1/29/1934
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Special Number 1216
Date 1/5/934
Memorandum;
With reference to your letter No. 106 dated 1/11/1934
The matter was not a case of dispensing with the Spiritual Council, but rather to obtain some
clarifications from you regarding certain particulars relating to the case formed
between the head of the Jewish community in Basra and Mu'allim Abdullah and Raja. For this
reason, please attend before this court on Thursday, February 1, 934
at ten o'clock in the morning;
⟦signature⟧
President of the Court of Cassation of Iraq
A copy of it to the head of the Jewish community in Baghdad
To attend at the appointed day and time before this court
To be registered and kept
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2527
28 December 944 / 10 / 4
Rabbi Daoud Yehuda Somikh
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
After greetings and respect
We refer to your esteemed council the petition of Rabbi Daoud Yehuda Somikh
with the special papers to look into the jurisdiction of the case to your council,
⟦signature⟧
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
Attached: three papers
72
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number 2576
Date 6 February 1934
The Honorable and Distinguished Notables
Ibrahim Hayyim Effendi Moallem Nassim
Eliyahu Effendi Ezra Al-Mansi
<del>Khedhouri Effendi Sassoon Askar</del>
Selim Effendi Isaac the Lawyer
Ezra Effendi Eliyahu Al-Ani
Ezra Effendi Shahim Daniel
Meir Effendi ⟦Ina⟧
Harun Effendi Daoud Suhayt
Yehuda Effendi Saleh Zeloof
Youssef Effendi Al-Kabir the Lawyer
After greetings and respect
I request that you kindly attend the administration of the Jewish Community at
four o'clock in the afternoon next Sunday (11 / 2 / 1934) to discuss the issue of the dispute formed
between the head of the Jewish Community in Basra and Abdullah Baruch and his companions and to form a committee
to travel to Basra to resolve this dispute
With much respect to you in advance;
Sassoon Khedhouri
Head of the Community
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22 - 8
6 March 934
His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, the Respected
Basra
After greetings and respect
The great hospitality I received from your presence and from the honorable members of the community upon my arrival
and return from Basra had the deepest impact on my soul, and the few days I spent in
your hospitality will remain in my memory as beautiful days that cannot be forgotten.
I can only offer here to your presence my great respect and gratitude, thanking
your generosity, hoping to remain sincere.
On behalf of
President of the Jewish Community
2/198/7
22 Dhu al-Qi'dah 352 and 7 March 934
His Excellency the Respected President of the Court of Appeal
After greetings and respect
After I perform the duty of thanking the esteemed court for its kindness in answering my petition
and adjourning the lawsuit existing between the head of the Jewish community in Basra and Abdullah Barrio and his companions
to give me sufficient opportunity to mediate between the litigants.
I hope to inform Your Excellency that I have traveled to Basra with the Jewish Religious Court
for the purpose of averting the dispute, however, the matter of reconciliation has not yet reached a
decisive result.
With highest respect and honor to Your Excellency
⟦Alwan⟧
Head of the Jewish Community
2612
7 March 934
His Eminence the Haham Bashi of Basra, the Respected
After greetings and respect,
The great hospitality I received from Your Eminence and from the honorable members of the community
upon my arrival and return from Basra has left the deepest impression on my soul, and the few days that
I spent as your guest will remain in my memory as beautiful, unforgettable days.
I can only offer Your Eminence my profound respect and gratitude,
thanking you for your generosity and hoping to remain sincerely yours,
Sassoon
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
Baghdad 27 Adar 5694
The Honorable Salman Effendi Daniel
Basra
After greetings and respect
Reference to your letter dated March 4, 1934
There is no doubt that our ultimate goal is to avoid the causes of the existing dispute between our brothers, which
as you know, was the reason for our visit to Basra. I would be most grateful if you would kindly
agree with Khadouri Effendi Al-Ani on the final demands you require and submit these
demands as quickly as possible to His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadouri, President of the Community, for study
in the hope that we may succeed in settling the matter before the arrival of the blessed Passover, which I hope will come upon the community
while it is in a state of complete calm and reassurance.
Our greetings to all, and may you remain in respect,
⟦illegible⟧
President of the Jewish Religious Court
Baghdad
A copy of it to His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadouri, the respected President of the Community
For information
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Private Number 1250
Date 14 / 3 / 934
81
( 1 )
The Theosophical Society and its Essence
⟦line⟧
One of the informed wrote to us the following:
The Theosophical Society has several publications regarding its beliefs and principles, we specifically mention the book "Key to
Theosophy" by its author, the founder of the Theosophical Society, Madame Blavatsky, and ⟦under the supervision of an unknown rabbi⟧ this book was translated.
A female student sent it to us, requesting its publication on her responsibility, and it consists of questions posed by a person to one of the
members of the Theosophical Society, and this is what he said according to him.
It was stated on page 42 of the aforementioned Key to Theosophy:
Q - Do you believe in God?
A - That depends on what you mean by your terminology.
Q - I mean by it the God of the Christians, the Father of the Jews, the Creator specifically, the God mentioned in the Torah of
Moses.
A - We do not believe in such a god. We reject the idea that says there is a god outside of the universe, similar
to a human, who is nothing but an infinite enlarged image, even if not for a human with his most perfect attributes. We say
and affirm that the theological Lord is a collection of contradictions.
And a logical impossibility, and for that reason, we do not consider him.
Q - And what are the reasons you provide for that?
A - Because this god is called by his worshipers the Absolute and the Infinite, is it not so?
Q - I believe it is so.
A - Then if he has no end, and especially if he is absolute, how can he have a form and how can he be
a creator of something? Form requires limits, requires a beginning and an end, and in order to create, you need
thought and planning. How can the Absolute be expected to think? How can he be expected to have an affiliation with something
limited that has properties?
This is nothing but a logical philosophical mockery.
Even the Mosaic Kabbalah science refutes this opinion; therefore, it attributes to the Absolute God an unlimited
unity. For the creator to create, he must be active, and since activity is impossible to be attributed to the Absolute,
it was necessary to make the infinite principle, God, the cause of the appearance of ⟦...⟧ not the creation, and in an indirect way, i.e., through the emission
of the spirit from the soul of God itself. And this is another mockery that resulted this time from the translators of the Kabbalah of the Sephirot.
⟦line⟧
It was stated on page 45 of the aforementioned book:
Q - Do you believe in prayer?
A - No, we are men of action, not men of words.
Q - And do you not even pray to the Absolute Principle?
88
( 2 )
A - We do not do that, for we are people with much work and have no time to waste in saying prayers that are nothing
more than mere hollow words whose essence cannot be imagined.
The visible phenomena of the universe and its existence depend on its working parts and the exchange for
systems, and not on prayer and prayers.
Q - Do you not believe in the effect or influence of prayer?
A - Not in prayer specifically described by outward repetition, if by prayer you mean that
⟦external⟧ petition of the believer, because it is unknown; the Jews believed in it and the Persians accepted it.
Q - Is there another type of prayer?
A - Yes, undoubtedly, and we call it administrative prayer, which is a psychological matter more than it is
a petition.
Q - To whom do you pray then?
A - There is no ⟦person⟧ among us in heaven in this sense of the phrase in its hidden, not outward, meaning.
Q - Does the meaning differ from its theological meaning?
A - It does not differ entirely, for the Theosophist directs his prayer to "his Father" who is in secret. Read
and try to understand the Book of Matthew, Chapter Six, Verse 6.
Q - So you make man a lord?
A - Perhaps say the Lord and not a lord, for in our belief the inner soul is the only god
that we know.
And it was stated on page 55 as follows:
The cruel god of the Jews, likened to an envious man, the owner of bloody laws,
an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, the owner of these blood-shedding and animal-sacrificing laws, had to
be relegated to a secondary place.
And likewise on page 75 of it:
And the god who creates every soul to live for a short period of time,
indifferent to whether it will inhabit the body of a rich or happy man, or the body of a poor, suffering, wretched,
unlucky person from birth until death, has done nothing to deserve his cruel warning.
⟦line⟧
As for what was mentioned in the book "The Secret Wisdom" written by the aforementioned Madame Blavatsky, also Part
Two of it, page 254, this is its translation:
In this case, it is natural - even if we take the meaning literally, we may look
at the Devil mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the true god, the benefactor, and the father of spiritual mankind, because
he was the light-bearer and the shining, radiant star who opened the eyes of the moving image which, as it was said, was created by
the ⟦...⟧
And that he was the first to command that on the day we eat from it, we become like the Lord, knowing
( ⟦good from evil⟧ )
( 3 )
It must be observed as a savior of God's opponent (the personal spirit) and still in the hidden truth (the Messenger)
The veiled angel, the Seraphim, and the Cherubim who taught us our duty and blessed us with spiritual eternity
instead of physical eternity, and as stated in the book of the writer King about the sect of infidels among Christians regarding
Ialdabaoth, whom many sects considered the God of Moses
Ialdabaoth is far from being a pure spirit because greed and pride had prevailed in his composition
Therefore, he determined to cut off all relations with his mother Achamoth and to create a world for himself
So he created man with the help of his own six spirits and wanted to make him an image of his preamble
But he failed in his endeavor completely and found that this production of his was a massive, soulless creature crawling on the ground
So the six spirits were forced to pass his sympathy again to their son in order to place the spirit in him, so he did that by sending
to him the divine light which he himself inherited from Achamoth.
And it was stated in the book "The Secret Doctrine" by its author Madame Blavatsky, page 796, what is quoted literally
⟦line⟧
Everything of our furniture falls subject to an inherent system, and it is difficult after forgetting a special type of
existence that nothing is produced from nothing, for we do not believe in miracles and for that reason we think of creation . .
From the National News newspaper, issue 17
20 August 941
1 January 934
The honorable and virtuous notable, Heskel Ezra Effendi Biras, respected
After greetings and respect
Further to our letter No. 2514 dated 31 December 933
The intention is to obtain for its bearer, named Lewi Shalom, a travel ticket to Bombay.
Sincerely
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
82
2518
28 December 933
2 January 934
The honorable and distinguished Khedhouri Effendi Lawee, respected
After greetings and respect,
I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide possible assistance
to the bearer of this letter, Saleh Yusuf, by giving him any work in your company after testing him.
I thank you in advance, and may you remain with respect.
Lu
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
98
30 January 934
Secretariat of the Administration of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
The Iraq Times
The Arab World
The Distinguished Iraq Newspaper
Al-Istiqlal
Al-Ikha' al-Watani
Yesterday (Tuesday), His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad,
and His Excellency Yehuda Effendi Zelouf, President of the Israelite Lay Council, had the honor of an audience
with His Majesty the Great King, and they offered to the Royal Throne the congratulations
and prayers of the Israelite community on the occasion of His Majesty's auspicious marriage;
⟦signature⟧
The Secretary
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
98
Administration of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number 2562
Date 29 January 34
The Honorable Ezra Effendi Heskel Dallal
" " " Yaqub Effendi Yusuf Abraham "
" " " Heskel Ezra Effendi Saleh Zabli "
" " " Shabtai Effendi ⟦Muthir⟧ Hakham Shabtai, the respected
After greetings
I request your presence at the Community Administration at five
thirty in the afternoon next Thursday 2 / 2 / 934 - and stay well
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
A copy of it to Daoud Yusuf Shamash to attend at the appointed time
98
To the presence of the Honorable President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
After greetings
I beg of your Excellency to mediate with the Director of Al-Kifl District, Mr. Tawfiq Effendi Al-Mukhtar
To assist us regarding Al-Kifl, peace be upon him, and other affairs of the community there. I thank you, sir.
24 January 1924
Trustee of the Endowments of Al-Kifl, peace be upon
him
Reuben Yehuda
⟦signature⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community:
Baghdad:
Private Number: 1202
Date: 28 / 1 / 924
2537
11 Shawwal 352 and 26 January 934
His Excellency the Governor of Hillah Province, the Respected
After greetings and respect
I would be most grateful if Your Excellency would be so kind as to extend
assistance to the bearer of my letter, Reuben Effendi Yehuda, the trustee of the endowment, regarding
the matters he will present to Your Excellency ⟦...⟧
To Your Excellency, utmost thanks and respect
Head of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
98
14 Shawwal 352 and 29 January 934
2522
His Excellency the Mutasarrif of Hillah Province, the Respected
After greetings and respect,
I wish to offer your Excellency many thanks for what you have done in terms of
assistance to the trustee of Al-Kifl, Rubin Effendi Yehuda and his sons. I attach a true copy
of the aforementioned's appointment over Al-Kifl, in the hope that you will kindly resolve this case soon.
I wish to repeat my thanks and gratitude to your Excellency;
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
98
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number: 2558
Date: 28 January 934
The Iraq Times
Al-Tariq
Al-Istiqlal
Al-Araa Newspaper
Al-Ikhaa
The Arab World
In the name of the orphans and the sick, the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad offers to the threshold of His
Majesty the beloved King prayers and gratitude for the kindness and charity they received from His Majesty on the occasion
of his happy and auspicious marriage. This administration has received sheep, rice, fat, and wood to feed the orphans
and the poor. We ask the Almighty to make this blessed marriage a beginning of goodness and blessing for this
dear country;
H. D. ⟦9⟧
The President
98
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Presidency of the Jewish Community - Baghdad
PRESIDENT OF
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY - BAGHDAD
Baghdad
Number ::
NO::
Date ::
DATE::
Subject :: ⟦line⟧
SUBJECT: ⟦line⟧
The esteemed Al-Iqab newspaper
With greetings and respect
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri, President of the Jewish
Community, has donated one dinar to the Child Protection Society for the distribution
of greeting cards on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. His Eminence
will not perform the duty of visits, following the national tradition of
the late His Majesty King Faisal I the Great.
May you remain in peace.
The Secretary
8 / 109
⟦line⟧
24
98
4546
15 January 934
His Excellency the Director of General Revenues, Respected
After greetings and respect
The First Property Assessment Committee has estimated the income of the shop numbered
61 / D / 137 belonging to the endowments of the Beit Zilka Synagogue located in the Torah neighborhood at an amount of five Dinars
annually, and since its annual rent is only three Dinars, we request Your Excellency to instruct its assessment
anew and to reduce the tax amount in proportion to the rental value.
With respect to Your Excellency
⟦L...⟧
Sassoon
Head of the Community
98
50
His Eminence, the Honorable Chief Rabbi
The Respected
Akhaf Huduri
After respect, I express to your presence that our brother
Akhaf Salih, the director of Tikrit station, is a good man and has a claim
upon us, and he has a case regarding his wife for which he sought advice
from your Eminence, and the woman is named Rosa
daughter of Yusuf Shofer, a resident of the ⟦Qanbar Ali⟧ neighborhood
So I ask you to look into his case and order
justice for him by reuniting him with his wife if there is no
legal impediment, and please accept my sincere respect
The Sincere
Salman ⟦...⟧
8 ⟦...⟧ 1924
Mawlud ⟦...⟧
7 / 2 / 934
His Excellency Abdul Aziz Bey
Fragrant greetings
And after, it was my wish to meet Your Excellency personally
but my poor health prevented what I desired.
The bearer of this letter, Reuben Effendi Yehuda,
the trustee of the shrine of our master Al-Kifl, has matters he wishes to present to Your Excellency
regarding the encroachments occurring there by some, and I would be
very grateful to Your Excellency if you would kindly take the necessary steps to end
these violations. To Your Excellency, my abundant respects.
Sincerely,
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
98
7/2/34
His Excellency the Honorable Mawlud Mukhlis Pasha
Respected Vice President of the Senate
Greetings and respect
With reference to your letter dated February 5, 934, I have
referred the petition of Ishaq Effendi Saleh to the
Israeli Religious Court in Baghdad, which is the authority
for complaints of this kind, and I have recommended to it what you requested
I hope to remain sincerely yours
Sassoon
Head of the Community
14 February 1934
The honorable and virtuous notable Ezra Effendi Eliyahu Al-Ani
Respected
After greetings and respect
In view of the importance of the case, I hope you will be so kind
as to inform me whether you have received a reply from Basra or not
I thank you very much and remain with respect;
⟦Ezra⟧
Head of the Community
⟦8⟧
Mutasarrifate of Baghdad Liwa
Editing Department
Number 1518
Date 16 / 10 / 1352 AH
1 / February / 1934 AD
To - His Eminence the Honorable Judge of Baghdad
His Eminence the Honorable Ja'fari Judge
His Beatitude the Honorable Patriarchal Vicar of the Chaldean Community
His Beatitude the Honorable Head of the Mosaic Community
The Honorable Spiritual Head of the Armenian Catholic Community " "
" " " " Old " "
" " " Syrian " "
In accordance with the provisions of Article (52) of the Liwa Administration Law for the year / 927, we request
your presence at the office of this Mutasarrifate on Monday, corresponding to 5 / 2 / 934
at eleven o'clock before noon to conduct the election of half
the members of the Liwa Administrative Council.
⟦signature⟧
Mutasarrif of Baghdad Liwa
Copy to - Liwa Accountant }
" " Liwa Tapu Director } We request your presence on the mentioned day.
" " Liwa Editing Director }
Headquarters of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Incoming Number 8221
Date 11 / 2 / 34
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