Correspondence Regarding Legal (Marriage and Divorce) Proceedings between the Ministry of Justice and the Jewish Religious Courts
View interactive document pageThese documents include several construction contracts and accounting information for the Baghdadi Jewish Community. Also included are letters of correspondence between the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the Jewish Religious Courts regarding legal issues, often involve marriage and divorce proceedings and jurisdiction issues. Most documents originating from the Jewish Courts are handwritten in Judeo-Arabic.
The Court of Justice of the Holy Community Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ No. ⟦illegible⟧ Year 5695 Date 25 Adar 5695 17 Ab 1935 We the undersigned below our names ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Khayyat ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Menashe ⟦illegible⟧ Hezekiah ⟦illegible⟧ Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad Number 2649 Date 22 / 8 / 1935
Presidency of the Rabbinate 56/236/57 on 5 March 56 561 on 5 April 56 562 on 17 April 56 Regarding the heirs of the late Daoud Effendi Ezekiel Sassoon Respectfully, What the Sharia Court's opinion has settled upon 5621 on 15 March 56 and on 2 April 1956, and based on the request submitted to the presidency of this court by Mr. Hamid Effendi Sassoon, acting on behalf of Mrs. Qamriya, wife of the late Daoud Effendi Ezekiel Sassoon, who passed away on the sixth of March 56, and received by the presidency of this venerable court on 2 April 56, requesting the limitation of the inheritance of the aforementioned deceased and the determination of the shares of the legitimate heirs entitled to the inheritance, whose inheritance of the aforementioned deceased was limited to his wife, Mrs. Qamriya, and his three daughters, who are Mrs. Victoria, Mrs. Lulu, and Mrs. Maryam, and his three aforementioned daughters are from his wife, Mrs. Qamriya mentioned above. The aforementioned limitation of inheritance was carried out according to the Sharia distribution issued by this court under number 5621 and dated 15 March 56. Based on the request of the aforementioned agent, the shares of the heirs mentioned above have been determined from the amounts deposited in the treasury of the aforementioned court, totaling (1000) Dinars according to receipt number 5621 dated 15 March 56. The aforementioned amounts have been distributed as follows: ⟦line⟧ 1) The share of the wife, Mrs. Qamriya, from the aforementioned amounts is (125) Dinars 2) The share of the daughter, Mrs. Victoria, from the aforementioned amounts is (291) Dinars and (666) Fils 3) The share of the daughter, Mrs. Lulu, from the aforementioned amounts is (291) Dinars and (666) Fils 4) The share of the daughter, Mrs. Maryam, from the aforementioned amounts is (291) Dinars and (666) Fils This is what has been determined by this court, and accordingly, this distribution has been drafted. Hakham Bashi of Baghdad 56/10/56 on 17 April 56 ⟦Hakham Bashi of Baghdad⟧ ⟦illegible rectangular stamp⟧
The Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Drafting Section: General Number: 4 / 266 / 25 Special Number: Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 25 Jumada al-Akhir 1354 22 September 1935 Please refer to the general number Subject Summary: Request for a lawsuit file To the Honorable President of the Jewish Sharia Court In Baghdad Based on the petition submitted ⟦to⟧ by Ezra Shaul Bulbul regarding the lawsuit filed against him by his wife Mozli Khadouri Eliyahu Hakham Daoud, we request the sending of all papers related to the aforementioned lawsuit for review and to cease proceedings until they are returned to you, Acting Minister of Justice Presidency of the Jewish Community Number ⟦2250⟧ Date ⟦25 / 9 / 935⟧
Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Please refer to the general number Section: Editing Phone No.: Private No.: 25/266/8 Telegraphic Address: Justice Date: 22 Rajab 1354 22 October 1935 Subject Summary: The case of Ezra Shaul Bulbul and his wife Mazli bint Khedhouri Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad With reference to your letter No. 3389 dated September 25, 1935 Upon examining the file sent with your aforementioned letter, it was found that the Religious Court decided in its session held on September 10, 1935, in the presence of both parties, to send Mazli bint Khedhouri, the wife of the defendant Ezra Shaul Bulbul, to Dr. Jack Abboudi Shaye for examination in the presence of two persons appointed by her. On the second day, and in the absence of the defendant, the court reversed its previous decision and decided to send the said wife to the Royal Hospital. Upon looking at your letter dated September 10, 1935, addressed to the Directorate of the Royal Hospital in Baghdad by which the wife was sent for examination, it was found that your letter contradicts the court's decision as it did not mention that the examination must be in the presence of two persons appointed by the Religious Court as stated in its decision, and the examination actually took place without their presence. Therefore, we request you to inform us: 1- Is there a justification for the court to reverse its decision, especially conducting the examination in the absence of the second party, and what are the reasons? 2- Can a decision be given in the absence of one of the parties without a legal reason? 3- Assuming the validity of what was stated in the two previous paragraphs, can the court accept and consider the examination that took place contrary to its decision, and how was it confirmed that the woman who was examined is Mazli, the subject of the research? We hereby return the case file to you and request you to inform us about the points mentioned above. Acting Minister of Justice Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad 2328 22/10/35
Abd Royal Iraqi Medical College and the Royal Hospital Baghdad Number: 3920 Date: 15th Oct. 1935 Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Special No. 2625 Date 24 / 10 / 35 To:- The Chief Rabbi, of the Jewish Community, Baghdad. Memorandum. In continuation of the Medical Boards No.3421 of 11/9/1935. Ezra Shaoul Belboul has petitioned that his wife should be examined by a Board of specialists in nervous and mental diseases. The Medical Board has no objection to such a course being taken if the requisite number of specialists in nervous and mental diseases can be found. To the Presidency of the Honorable Jewish Community Baghdad Memorandum Supplementing the medical decision No. 3421 dated 11 / 9 / 935 Ezra Shaoul Belboul has requested that his wife be examined by a committee specialized in nervous and mental diseases. The Medical Examination Committee has no objection to doing so if ⟦it is possible⟧ to find the required number of specialists in nervous and mental diseases ⟦illegible⟧ President. Standing Medical Board. President of the Medical Examination Committee
Ministry of Justice Editing Department Number - A 366 / 35 Date - 25 Jumada al-Akhir 354 and 23 September 935 Subject Summary - Request for a lawsuit file To the Honorable President of the Israeli Sharia Court in Baghdad Based on the petition submitted by Ezra Shaul Bulbul regarding the lawsuit filed against him by his wife Mozli Khadhuri Eliyahu Hakham Daoud, please send all papers related to the aforementioned lawsuit for review and do not continue hearing the case until they are returned to you; Acting Minister of Justice True copy 25 / 9 / 935 Secretary
2489 24 September 935 25 Ministry of Justice Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Reference to your letter No. A/35/366 dated 25 Jumada al-Akhir 354 and 23 September 935 ⟦illegible⟧ We submit to your Ministry the file of the lawsuit filed against Ezra Shaul Bulbul by his wife Ghazali Khadouri Eliyahu Hakham Daoud, numbering 24 papers ⟦illegible⟧ On behalf of President of the Community ⟦illegible⟧
Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Department: Legal Codification Bureau General Number: 11/377 Special Number: Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 23 October / 1935 Hijri Date: 26 Rajab / 1354 Please refer to the general number Subject Summary: Certification of a certificate. Presidency of the Jewish Community In Baghdad With reference to your letter numbered 3403 and dated 4 October of the year 1935. We have certified the certificate sent with your aforementioned letter and we return it to you enclosed with its attachments. ⟦signature⟧ Acting Minister of Justice Referred to Yusuf ⟦Effendi⟧ 10/21/935 ⟦signature⟧ Presidency of the Jewish Community 2670 24 / 10 / 35 Ash / 21
2402 3 October 935 4 His Excellency the Respected Minister of Justice After greetings and respect I request your Excellency to kindly certify the certificate of the status of our Israelite community Attached - and with respect to your Excellency ⟦signature⟧ Head of the Community Attached 1 Certificate Central Notary Public in Baghdad No. 12884 dated 7 August 935 Regarding the sale of road silver ⟦illegible stamp⟧
2484 Sharia Procedure Law 10 December 1935 Ministry of Justice I wish to refer to the correspondence ending with your letter numbered L 6/96 dated 19 Sha'ban 1352 and 6 December 1933 As the community is in dire need of the Sharia Procedure Law, I request you to kindly take the necessary measures so that the aforementioned law may take its final form. On behalf of Head of the Community Confirmed to Professor Naji ⟦and⟧ Hamdi al-Adhami regarding it ⟦27/10/935⟧ ⟦For him⟧ ⟦illegible stamp⟧ For filing
Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Please refer to the general number Section: Drafting Number: A / 19 / 2601 Special Number: Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 6 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1354 29 January 1936 Subject Summary: Divorce of the wife of Khadouri Samson Bakhsh Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad We confirm our letter numbered A/19/1936 and dated 20/1/1936 and request a prompt reply to it. ⟦signature⟧ Acting Minister of Justice For filing Presidency of the Jewish Community In Baghdad Special Number 2766 Date 29 / 1 / 36 M A / 28
1/29/29 2991 January 30, 936 Divorce of Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhash from his fiancée Nouna Nissim Oqeireb Ministry of Justice Reference to your letter No. A/30/36 dated 1/20/936 We have learned from the Israeli Religious Court in Baghdad that the Rabbinate of Damascus has sent a legal divorce decree from the fiancé Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhash to his fiancée Nouna Nissim Oqeireb, and the court delivered it to the aforementioned on April 6, 934 (A) corresponding to March 29, 1934. Thus, the fiancée Nouna is considered divorced according to the law and procedures, and she was given a certificate to that effect. Enclosed you will find the file related to the case, which contains 21 papers; please return it after reviewing it. ⟦illegible stamp⟧ ⟦illegible stamp⟧ Alwan Head of the Community 001 M
The Court of Justice of the Holy Community of Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD No.: Year: 569 Date: 5 ⟦illegible⟧ 28 ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 16 ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ 21 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 7 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ 29 ⟦illegible⟧ 24 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 6 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 21 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 946 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Hugi Shemu ⟦illegible⟧ Presidency of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ Number ⟦illegible⟧ 2737 Date 28 / 5 / 27
2572 21 / 1 / 36 21 January 936 His Eminence the President of the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad, the Respected Based on the request of the Ministry of Justice in its letter No. A / 20 / 36 dated 20 January 936 We attach herewith a copy of the petition of Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhash which he submitted to the aforementioned Ministry, and we request that you inform us of the reasons that led to considering his wife divorced from him, and we request that you attach to the reply the file of the case to be presented to the Ministry. A Sassoon President of the Community A M
- 2 - From it, we seek mercy from Your Excellency to intervene in the case and issue your order to the court or to the head of the community regarding the necessity of following legal procedures, clearing the courts, and considering my claims according to Article 17 of the Law of the Israeli Community for the year 1931, No. 77, to remove the hardship from me. The matter is yours, sir; True copy January 21, 936 ⟦signature⟧
His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, the Respected The Petition: It is that I learned by chance that the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad has issued its judgment of divorce for my wife, the named Nona daughter of Nassim Aqirab, from me and handed her the divorce notification. I was surprised by the matter as I have not previously divorced my wife, and the court did not summon me to appear to refute the claim. Accordingly, I approached the President of the Jewish Community with a letter in which I explained the case and requested him to intervene in it and order the implementation of the legal and religious requirements. He referred the aforementioned letter to the court, but the referred court did not pay attention to the aforementioned letter nor to my multiple follow-ups. The issued judgment is contrary to the law, procedures, and religious law for the following reasons: 1- I entered into a marriage contract with my aforementioned wife, Nona daughter of Nassim Aqirab, eight years ago. Due to differences that occurred between us regarding the dowry/trousseau, the marriage was not consummated. Accordingly, the wife approached the religious court and requested a judgment against me for alimony. The court issued the judgment for alimony, and the judgment was deposited for execution in the Execution Department. 2- The girl's family brought a paper from the Rabbinate of Jerusalem stating my appearance before it and my divorce of my wife, while at the date of this paper, I was prohibited from traveling outside Iraq by the Passport Department under Article Eight of the Passport Law. I did not leave Iraq in any form whatsoever, and I have, besides the mentioned official evidence, multiple pieces of evidence proving my non-departure from Iraq. 3- The mentioned court is formed under the Jewish Community Law No. 77 of 1931 and must observe the rules of procedure like all other courts. 4- It was the duty of the court, upon my wife's application and filing of the divorce lawsuit, to summon me to appear before it and grant me time to appear according to the rules to enable the formation of two parties for the trial. If I did not appear, the trial should be conducted against me in absentia, and I should be notified of the judgment issued in absentia to enable me to object to it and appear before it to protect my rights. The court did not observe the mentioned rules; rather, it issued its judgment merely upon the wife's application. Had I not become aware of this, I might have seen my wife's marriage to another man while I am her legal husband. 5- After the court took the letter I submitted to the President of the Community, which was referred to it by him, it suspended the case, meaning that the wife is now my wife and not my wife at the same time. 6- Furthermore, I requested the mentioned court that I go to Jerusalem and that it send a letter with me and wait for the Rabbinate of Jerusalem to confirm whether I am the man who actually appeared before it according to the wife's claim or not, to reveal the truth and reveal the forgery that occurred, but it did not grant my rightful request. Based on Your Excellency's review of the above presentations, the mentioned court did not observe in my case these rules followed in conducting trials and summoning both parties, and the case was forged to deprive me of my wife. So, to reveal the truth ⟦illegible⟧
Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Please refer to the general number Section: Editing General Number: 22/2/15 Special Number: ——— Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 24 Shawwal 1354 20 January 1936 Subject Summary: Petition of Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhash and the divorce of his wife from him without justification. Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad We are sending you the original petition of Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhash and request that you inform us of the reasons that led to his wife being considered divorced from him, and we request that you attach with the reply the petition and the file for our review. ⟦signature⟧ On behalf of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice Presidency of the Jewish Community Incoming Number 2756 Date 20 / 1 / 36 A. Y. A.
The Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Please refer to the general number Section: Drafting General Number: 4/19/26 Special Number: Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 21 Dhu al-Hijjah 1354 / 14 March 1936 Subject Summary: In-person divorce of Sassoon Bakhash from Fanuna Nassim Aqirab Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad With reference to your letter numbered 3991 and dated 1/30/1936 We return to you the file sent to us enclosed with your aforementioned letter. ⟦illegible⟧ On behalf of the Acting Minister of Justice Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Incoming Number 2807 Date 15 / 3 / 1936 Register H. F. 3/12
The Court of Justice of the Holy Community Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD No.: Date: 29 Adar 96 Year: 569 Witnesses ⟦...⟧ signed below ⟦...⟧ On the day ⟦...⟧ In Baghdad Before us ⟦...⟧ Before us ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Menachem ⟦...⟧ Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad 2842 22 / 3 / 9
2682 27 March 936 To The Office of the Rusafa Investigating Magistrate Baghdad Reference to the petition of Khadhouri Sassoon Bakhash dated 17 March 936 and referred to the Israeli Religious Court on the 23rd of it The response of the Religious Court to this petition was that the Rabbinate of Damascus sent a legal divorce document from the fiancé Khadhouri Sassoon Bakhash received by his fiancée Nuna daughter of Nassim Akhoub on 6 April 94 corresponding to 29 Adar 93, therefore she was considered divorced according to the law and procedures. ⟦Alawi⟧ Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ M
From the Investigating Magistrate of Baghdad District, Rusafa To The Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Number: 884 Date: 26 / 2 / 921 With reference to your letter No. 82 dated 27 / 2 / 26 It was requested in our marginal note dated 27 / 2 / 26 and numbered 85 on the petition of Khedhouri Sassoon Nahas to send what documents you have for review along with the return of the aforementioned petition, so please send us the said petition along with whatever papers you have as quickly as possible, then we shall return them to you. ⟦signature⟧ Investigating Magistrate of the Rusafa Area, Baghdad Presidency of the Jewish Community Number 2850 <del>27 / 2 / 26</del>
2695 2 April 936 His Eminence the President of the Jewish Religious Court, the Respected We transmit to you below a copy of the letter from the Rusafa Investigating Magistrate No. 884 dated 31 / 3 / 936 to respond to its content; On behalf of The President of the ⟦Jewish⟧ Community ⟦line⟧ From the Investigating Magistrate of Baghdad Province - Rusafa | Number 884 | Date 31 / 3 / 936 To The President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad With reference to your letter No. 3683 dated 27 / 3 / 936 We requested in our marginal note dated 23 / 3 / 936 and numbered 85 on the petition of Khedhouri Sassoon Bakhsh to send whatever documents you have for review along with returning the aforementioned petition, so please send us the said petition along with whatever papers you have as quickly as possible, and then we shall return them to you; Investigating Magistrate of the Rusafa District in Baghdad
The Court of Justice of the Holy Community Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ No.: Date: ⟦illegible⟧ Year: 569 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Hezekiah ⟦illegible⟧ Hazan ⟦illegible⟧ Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad Special Number 2969 Date 27/11/947
General Form 16 Iraqi Government Department: Investigating Magistrate of the Rusafa District for the Baghdad Liwa Number: 185 Date: 11/4/25 Corresponding to: 26/5/1926 To: Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Please respond to the letter of this department Number: 85, 162, and 884 Dated: 2/22, 2/21, and 4/18/926 Regarding: Sending the female patient with the relevant documents under investigation to us, and do not inform us for further confirmation ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ Signature: Position: Investigating Magistrate of the Rusafa District in Baghdad
General Form 16 Iraqi Government Presidency of the Jewish Community Special Number 2894 Date 22 / 4 / 26 Department: Investigating Judge of the Rusafa District in Baghdad Number: 162 / 55 / 27 Date: 18 / 4 / 26 To: Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Please respond to the letter of this department Numbered: 884 Dated: 21 / 2 / 26 Regarding: The case of ⟦Khedhouri⟧ Sassoon Nahashi Signature ⟦signature⟧ Position: Investigating Judge of the Rusafa District in Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧