AI en Translation, Pages 76-100
Page 76
Joseph Abdulnaby ⟦illegible⟧ Joseph Abdel Nabi
Qambar-Ali Marjovphlety Qambar Ali . Baghdad
Baghdad
No: | Number :
Date : 1946/1/21 Date :
To our honorable President and Master .
After greetings and further respect .
The Iraqi Jewish woman has suffered and is suffering immense difficulties for the sake of
her marriage, as she endures many difficulties and severe woes in
this path, as if she were created for severe torment, for she is unable to marry
unless her family has thousands of Dinars (the cursed dowry).
Despite all that, she finds no happiness or any welfare after this marriage
in this false capitalist manner, which has affected even the poorest families.
Here, I want to inform you that I have an idea to issue a monthly magazine
whose goal is to spread the high social spirit specifically regarding marriage and the reform
of the social [well-being] of the spouses and offspring.
To be continued on the back
Page 77
(2)
Jewish history is a witness that no one
married and took any penny from the girl's family, but rather it is he who
gave the girl's family money, or served them for many years.
I ask you to examine this idea and I hope you will be a supporter
of it because its benefits are many, especially for the interest of the state (cursed be he who
established it). I am waiting for your answer and your approval so that I may submit a request
quickly to the government so that it agrees to my issuing of this magazine, which
will be distributed at a price that does not equal more than the cost of its binding. Thank you in advance
Youssef Abdi
⟦illegible⟧
Page 79
We the three judges were on the day of on Saturday in the of the month of of the year
after five thousand and seven hundred of the creation of the world in the reckoning that we follow here
in the city of Baghdad located on the Tigris River when there appeared before us the holding the bill of divorce
which the husband handed to him to deliver to his wife and he presented to us a certified official proxy
according to the rules set by the Rabbis of blessed memory, by which the aforementioned husband appointed him
in the presence of witnesses to deliver this bill of divorce into the hand of his aforementioned wife ⟦and to give it⟧ into her hand in
any location he finds her in, and he authorized him to appoint a proxy in his stead, and his proxy is a proxy, and his proxy's proxy is a proxy, even
up to a hundred proxies, even without a compelling reason to change his city by a document and in the absence of the husband, and according to this
proxy, he has appointed with our approval and in our presence located in the city of and in any location he may be
present to be a proxy in his stead. Thus spoke the aforementioned person before us, the undersigned judges:
I appoint with your approval and in your presence located in the city of
and in any location he may be present to be a proxy in my stead to deliver this bill of divorce
into the hand of the aforementioned wife of the aforementioned and give it into her hand in any location he finds her in,
and his hand shall be ⟦as the grasp of⟧ my own hands, his mouth as my mouth, his words as my words, his actions as my actions, and his delivery of this
bill of divorce into the hand of the aforementioned wife of the aforementioned shall be as my own delivery, and I authorize him
from now to appoint a proxy in his stead, and his proxy is a proxy, and his proxy's proxy is a proxy up to ninety-nine proxies,
even without a compelling reason until this bill of divorce reaches the hand of the aforementioned wife of the
aforementioned in any location he or his proxy or his proxy's proxy finds her, up to ninety-nine proxies and without
a compelling reason. Whoever delivers this bill of divorce to her hand from his hand or from his proxy's hand or from his proxy's proxy's hand
up to ninety-nine proxies even without a compelling reason, she becomes divorced by it from her aforementioned husband
and permitted to any man. And he added, saying: this bill of divorce was written and sealed in my presence in the name of
the aforementioned personally so that he may divorce his aforementioned wife by his person and her person
with the intent of a true and complete divorce. This is the bill of divorce by which the proxy present
in the aforementioned city of became eligible for delivery as listed above. It was written and sealed in the aforementioned city of Baghdad
on the aforementioned day and the two witnesses signed therein are and
and the marks of the mentioned bill of divorce are the word found at the beginning of the third line and the word found at its
end, and the word found at the beginning of the sixth line and the word found at its
end, and the word found at the beginning of the ninth line and the word found at its
end, and it is also perforated with two holes at the head of the second line. In our presence, the first proxy revoked
any separations he might have intended regarding the appointment of the aforementioned second proxy and also in our presence,
the undersigned court, the aforementioned first proxy accepted by ban and by oath that he shall not dismiss the second proxy
who was appointed in our presence, our hearing, and with our approval. Before us we wrote and signed our signatures, and everything
is strong, valid, and established.
Documents obtained
Page 80
We, the three judges, were on the day ... of Saturday in ... of the month ... of the year
after the five thousand and seven hundred for the creation of the world in the calculation we follow here
in the city of Baghdad, located on the Tigris River, when there appeared before us the ... with a bill of divorce in his hand
which the husband ... delivered to him to deliver to his wife ... and he presented to us a certified and established power of attorney
according to the rules set by the Rabbis, of blessed memory, and according to which the aforementioned husband ... appointed him
in the presence of witnesses to deliver this bill of divorce to the hand of his aforementioned wife ... and accordingly his hand in
any location he finds her in, and authorized him to appoint an agent in his stead, and his agent is an agent, and the agent of his agent is an agent, even
up to a hundred agents even without a compelling reason to change his city by a document and in the absence of the husband, and according to this
power of attorney, he has appointed with our approval and in our presence ... located in the city of ... and in whatever location he may be
present, to be an agent in his stead, and thus said ... the aforementioned before us, the undersigned
judges. I, ..., appoint with your approval and in your presence ... located in the city of
and in whatever location he may be present, to be an agent in my stead to deliver this bill of divorce
to the hand of the aforementioned ... wife of the aforementioned ... and give it into her hand in whatever location he finds her in
and his hand shall be <del>⟦as my hand⟧</del> as my hand, and his mouth like my mouth, and his words like my words, and his actions like my actions, and his delivery of this
bill of divorce to the hand of the aforementioned ... wife of the aforementioned ... is like my own delivery, and I have authorized him
from now to appoint an agent in his stead, and his agent is an agent, and the agent of his agent is an agent up to ninety-nine agents
even without a compelling reason until this bill of divorce reaches the hand of the aforementioned ... wife of the
aforementioned in whatever location he or his agent or the agent of his agent up to ninety-nine agents finds her in, and without
a compelling reason; whoever delivers this bill of divorce to her hand from his hand or from the hand of his agent or from the hand of the agent of his agent
even up to ninety-nine agents and even without a compelling reason, she becomes divorced by it from her aforementioned husband
and permitted to any man. And he added, saying: This bill of divorce was written and sealed in my presence in the name of
the aforementioned ... personally to divorce his aforementioned wife ... in her person and in her person
with the intention of a true, complete divorce. And this is the bill of divorce by which the agent ... located in the aforementioned
city of ... became qualified for delivery as listed above. It was written and sealed in the aforementioned city of Baghdad
on the aforementioned day ... and the two witnesses signed on it are ... and ... located in
and the mark of the aforementioned bill of divorce is the word located at the beginning of the third line and the word ... located at
its end, and the word ... located at the beginning of the sixth line and the word ... located at
its end, and the word ... located at the beginning of the ninth line and the word ... located at
its end, as it is perforated with two holes at the head of the second line. And in our presence, the first agent annulled
all delegations he might have intended regarding the appointment of the second agent ... aforementioned, and also in the presence of us
the undersigned court, the aforementioned first agent accepted under ban and oath that he shall not dismiss the second agent
..., who was appointed in our presence, in our hearing, and with our approval, and before us we have written and signed our names, and all
is strong, correct, and established.
Page 82
On the day of the week on the of the month of the year
after five thousand and seven hundred from the creation of the world in the reckoning we use here in the city of
Baghdad situated on the Tigris river, I standing this day in the aforementioned city of Baghdad
by whatever name and surname I and my fathers and my place have, I have accepted with my own will without compulsion and have released and dismissed
and divorced you, my wife wherever you are standing and by whatever name and surname you and your fathers have,
you who were my wife before this, and from now on I have released and dismissed and divorced you so that you may be permitted
and mistress of yourself to go and marry any person you desire, and no man shall oppose you in my name from
this day and forever, and behold you are permitted to every man, and this is from me to you a bill of divorce
and a document of release and a letter of dismissal according to the law of Moses and Israel.
Page 83
On the day of the week, on the day of the month of in the year
five thousand seven hundred since the creation of the world according to the reckoning we use here in the city of
Baghdad, situated on the Tigris River, I standing this day in the aforementioned city of Baghdad
by whatever name and surname I and my ancestors and my place have, I have consented of my own free will, without compulsion, and have released, dismissed,
and divorced you, my wife, in whatever place you are, and by whatever other name and surname you and your ancestors have,
you who were my wife before this, and from now on I have released, dismissed, and divorced you so that you may be permitted
and mistress of your own self, to go and marry any person you wish, and no man shall oppose you in my name from
this day and forever, and behold you are permitted to any man, and this is from me to you a bill of divorce,
a document of release, and a letter of dismissal according to the law of Moses and Israel.
Page 84
On the day of the week in the month of in the year
five thousand seven hundred since the creation of the world according to the calendar we follow here in the city
of Baghdad, situated on the Tigris River, I standing this day in the aforementioned city of Baghdad
by whatever name or nickname I, my fathers, or my place may have, have consented of my own free will, without compulsion, and have released, set free,
and divorced you, my wife wherever you may be, and by whatever name or nickname you or your fathers have,
you who were my wife before this, and from now on I have released, set free, and divorced you, so that you may be permitted
and in control of yourself to go and marry any person you desire, and no man shall oppose you in my name from
this day and forever. And behold, you are permitted to any man, and this is from me to you a bill of divorce,
a document of release, and a letter of dismissal, according to the law of Moses and Israel.
Page 85
September 24, 946
His Excellency the President of the Israelite Community in Basra, Respected
After greetings
Reference to your letter numbered and dated
The members of the Religious Court have been accustomed since ancient times to collect certain sums for themselves from the parties
of the lawsuits in exchange for performing the ceremonies of divorce, Halizah, and others.
However, the Lay Council in Baghdad decided at the session held on 3/13/945 to prevent the President and members
of the Court from collecting any sum from the applicants, provided that the necessary expenses for writing divorce papers
and others are paid from the Court's fund. Based on the aforementioned decision, the Court began to spend the following amounts from its fund:
First - -/750 fils for each divorce paper.
Second - -/500 fils for the delivery of a divorce paper written before another court.
Third - 1/100 dinars for writing the divorce paper that the wife receives from the hand of the husband's messenger.
Fourth - -/500 when the Court performs the Halizah ceremonies.
These amounts are paid to the writer of the divorce paper (the Sofer), the witnesses (the Edim), and other court officers.
And since the members of the Religious Court have become prohibited from collecting any sum from the parties of the lawsuits for themselves,
the aforementioned Council decided to compensate them for their deprivation of the mentioned revenues that they used to rely on
and collect, by paying an amount of 7/250 dinars monthly to each member of the Israelite Spiritual Council,
paid to them as additional allowances under the name of "Fee Allowances" from the Community's fund starting from the first of April
945, pending review and study into whether it is possible to impose systematic court fees paid by the interested parties to
the Court's fund itself.
President of the Community
Page 86
24 September 946
His Excellency, President of the Jewish Community in Basra, Respected
After greetings
Reference to your letter numbered and dated
The members of the Religious Court have been accustomed since ancient times to collect some amounts for themselves from the parties
to the lawsuits in exchange for performing the ceremonies of divorce, Chalitzah, and others.
However, the Lay Council in Baghdad decided at the session held on 13 / 4 / 946 to prohibit the President and members
of the Court from collecting any amount from the applicants, provided that the necessary expenses for all divorce certificates
and others be paid from the Court fund. Based on the aforementioned decision, the Court began to spend the following amounts from its fund:
First - 750 / - fils for each divorce certificate
Second - 500 / - fils for the delivery of the divorce certificate in a session before a court other than this one
Third - 1/100 dinars for writing the divorce certificate which the wife receives from the hand of the husband's messenger
Fourth - 500 / - when the Court performs the Chalitzah ceremonies
These amounts are paid to the writer of the divorce certificate (the Sofer), the witnesses (the Eidim), and other Court officers.
Since the members of the Religious Court are now prohibited from collecting any amount from the parties to the lawsuits for themselves,
the aforementioned Council decided to compensate them for their deprivation of the said income which they used to rely on
and collect, by paying an amount of 7.250 dinars monthly to each member of the Jewish Spiritual Council,
paid to them as additional allowances under the name of "fee allowances" from the community fund starting from the first of April
945 until consideration and study are completed as to whether it is possible to impose systematic court fees paid by the interested parties to
the Court fund itself.
President of the Community
Page 88
24 September 946
His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community in Basra, Respected
After greetings
Reference to your letter numbered ⟦...⟧ and dated ⟦...⟧
The members of the Religious Court have been accustomed since ancient times to collect some sums for themselves from the
litigants in exchange for performing the ceremonies of divorce, Chalitzah, and others.
However, the Lay Council in Baghdad decided in the session held on 14/6/12 to prevent the members
of the court from collecting any sum from the applicants, provided that the necessary expenses for writing the divorce documents
and others are paid from the court's fund. Based on the aforementioned decision, the court began to collect the following amounts from its fund:-
First - 750 /... Fils for each divorce document
Second - 500 /... Fils for delivering the divorce document to the editor in ⟦presence⟧ of this court
Third - 1/100 Dinars for writing the divorce document that the wife receives from the hand of the husband's messenger
Fourth - 500 /... when the court performs the Chalitzah ceremonies
And these amounts are paid to the writer of the divorce document (the scribe) and the witnesses (the fair ones) and other court ushers.
And since the members of the Religious Court have become prohibited from collecting any sum from the litigants for themselves,
the aforementioned council decided to compensate them for being deprived of the mentioned revenues they were accustomed to relying on
and collecting, by paying an amount of 7/250 Dinars monthly to each member of the Jewish Spiritual Council
paid to them as allowances under the name "Torim Allowances" from the community fund starting from the first of April
945. Thus, review and study will be completed to see if it is possible to impose regular court fees paid by interested parties to
the court fund and no one else.
President of the Community
⟦...⟧
Number ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
Page 91
Office Copy
9151
12/10/1946
The Honorable Honorary Secretary
of the Child Protection Society
Baghdad
After greetings and respect,
I have received your letter with thanks, containing an upper box ticket for the theatrical performance that
will be held for the benefit of your esteemed society on Thursday evening, 12/19/1946.
However, I ask you to accept my apologies for not attending this performance, and I am returning with the carrier of this ⟦document⟧
letter the ticket along with two and a half dinars as a donation to your esteemed society, requesting that he be provided
with the necessary receipt.
Please accept my respect, with my sincere wishes to your society for luck and success.
Attachments
Ticket No. (8) for an upper box
Two and a half dinars (2/500)
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
Page 92
⟦Presidency of the Community⟧
12/⟦...⟧/946
The Honorable Ministry of Supply
Woolen Textiles Division
Greetings,
We kindly ask you to provide Mr. Shoa Sahyoun Shamash, Accountant of the Presidency of the
Jewish Community in Baghdad, with the necessary facilitation to purchase woolen fabrics, noting that
his nominal salary is fifteen Dinars per month, excluding cost-of-living allowances.
Thank you in advance.
Sassoon
President of the Community
Page 94
16 December 1946
The Honorable Ministry of Supply
After greetings and respect
Subject - Request for permission to distribute ⟦frozen⟧ cloth for charitable purposes
Following the death of our father, the late Hajj Sasson Somake, according to a ⟦will⟧ to distribute 1112/5⟦3⟧
yards of the imported cloth mentioned above ⟦for free⟧ to be distributed by the ⟦donor⟧ to the poor and orphans through the Presidency of
the Jewish Community, we therefore request your order to allow us to carry out this distribution and to facilitate the matter.
Somake Brothers Limited
⟦signature⟧
A copy of it to the Presidency of the Jewish Community for information.
Page 95
⟦Department Copy⟧
8171
22 / 12 / 1946
Honorable Ministry of Supply
After greetings and respect
In addition to the petition of Messrs. Shamash Brothers dated 16 / 12 / 1946 and submitted
to your honorable ministry.
Messrs. Shamash Brothers have donated the distribution of 1117/58 yards of brown raw fabric, width
90 inches, for the purpose of distributing it to the poor and orphans through the Presidency of the Israelite Community, in
mercy for the soul of their late father, Saleh Sassoon Shamash, who passed away recently. We request your
honorable ministry to grant permission to the donor to dispense the donated goods in the manner indicated above
and specified by your ministry, noting that this Presidency undertakes to distribute this quantity
to the poor and orphans only.
With much thanks in advance
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Sassoon
Head of the Community
Page 96
Ministry of Supply
Cotton and Woolen Textiles Division
- Cotton Goods -
Number /
Date /
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Outgoing No. ⟦...⟧
Date ⟦...⟧
48
To - Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad.
Subject - Brown raw fabric for the poor.
With reference to your letter No. 9171 dated 12/23/1946.
Cotton fabrics are needed to clothe the members of the public according to the
ration card distribution system, and Messrs. Shamash Brothers can donate the price of the brown raw fabric indicated in
your aforementioned letter to the poor, provided they purchase it with cards.
Minister of Supply
Page 98
To the honorable gentleman, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, Head of the Israelite Community
Baghdad, Respected
Greetings and respect. You have been informed of the meeting that took place last Friday in the courtyard of Al-Kadhimiya.
⟦And in⟧ the course of the meeting, some of our Jewish brothers were present, which is something unfamiliar to established custom, which is
⟦not⟧ allowing non-Muslims to enter the courtyard, just as non-Jews are not permitted to enter the Holy Torah
⟦sanctuary⟧. If people had known of the presence of a group of non-Muslims, what would have happened would have had undesirable consequences, and who would be
responsible then? After the attendees dispersed and their names appeared, it became clear that there were those from other
communities in the courtyard, which agitated, provoked, and angered the people. So, the request to His Eminence the Head of the Community
is to issue an order to such people not to return to such a matter. Let it be known to you, Your ⟦Excellency⟧,
that those who brought them to the courtyard want to sow sedition among the sons of the nation, and I do not think
this is hidden from Your Eminence. Please accept my highest respect.
Sincerely,
One of the Kadhimiya Muslims
14 / 2 / 1947
Headquarters of the
Mosaic Community in Baghdad
Number ⟦...⟧
Date ⟦...⟧
Page 99
12
His Excellency the Respectable Prime Minister
Baghdad
On the occasion of the formation of the new ministry which you have been honored to head, we offer you, in the name of the Jewish community,
our warmest congratulations and sincerest wishes, praying for your success and prosperity in your noble work to serve the country
under the shadow of His Royal Highness the Great Regent and the beloved Hashemite Throne.
The Jewish community, which has lived in this country since the most ancient times and contributed to building its civilization,
reaffirms today its complete sincerity and absolute loyalty to the Hashemite Throne and the Iraqi government, and places all
its capabilities at the service of the dear homeland and in working for its welfare and prosperity.
Please accept our highest respect.
Head of the Jewish Community
⟦Sasson Khadhuri⟧
12 / 7 / 47
⟦Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad⟧
Page 100
41
1 / 1 / 947
His Excellency, the Director of Baghdad District Police, respected
After greetings and respect
We request the favor of granting the order to renew the firearm possession license
for the guard of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, named Gul Mohammad Mirzajan
Khan, numbered 185 and dated 13 / 1 / 945.
And we offer our thanks to your Excellency in advance.
⟦signature⟧
1 / 1
Head of the Community
To Mr.
⟦Suleiman⟧