AI en Translation, Pages 26-50
Page 26
Written February 21, 929
To the Honorable Excellency, the President of the Lay Council
After offering the appropriate greetings to your status, which are not enough for your right
The aforementioned Elias P. Ezra P. Salman, residing in the Torah neighborhood, has been
working as a servant in the religious school for a period of approximately four years, and now they have expelled him
from it, not for any crime he committed nor for bad conduct or behavior, but he is in extreme
poverty and has a large family and a pregnant wife, and the father of the aforementioned is in a state of old age
And the aforementioned used to take from the mentioned school 1000 fils monthly, so we hope
from you that you help him in his return to the school or help him with some money
to support his family because the aforementioned is in extreme poverty and destitution according to what is known about him
Written on February 21, 929
The Petitioner
Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
The Lay Council
22 February 1929
Number ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
02996
15
22 FEB 1929
Referred to His Excellency the President of the Lay Council
22 / 2 / 929
To the Honorable President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, please favor us by informing us
about the truth of the mentioned person's claim, and may you remain. 22 / 2 / 929
On behalf of the Head of the Community
Vice President
⟦signature⟧
Page 27
5274
12 January 939
15
Presidency of the Israelite Presence
Baghdad
Reference to the petition of the late Nissim Hakham Yosef Al-Qasi dated 2 Kislev 5699
referred to us by you
Since the Lay Council on 11 / 1 / 939 requested to be informed of the truth of the claim
of the aforementioned regarding the fees for writing the Ketubot and certificates for a period of nine years, we therefore return the petition to you
enclosed, requesting to inform us of the truth of the matter and return it with the answer.
⟦On behalf of⟧
Head of the Community
A copy of it to the Lay Council for information
Abstract
Page 28
Baghdad, January 2, 1939
To the Honorable President of the Israelite Community.
Baghdad.
After greetings and respect.
It is not hidden from you that my late husband, Mulla Nissim Hakham Yosef Agassi, passed away
leaving me with my children, three adults and two minors. The late husband's profession was limited to (Bodiq)
until his death, and he left us nothing but accumulated debts. My children and I have remained suffering
poverty and destitution without a helper. As for my eldest son, Yosef, he is in fact a teacher, but on the occasion
of my daughter's marriage, many debts were incurred by him. The second, Meir, is a soldier. The third
is a daughter. The fourth and fifth are two young boys. We have become as the Torah said ( ⟦...⟧ )
And since the deceased used to receive a salary from the community fund in exchange for
his aforementioned profession, monthly (5.625) Dinars, and this salary was at a level that met our
necessary needs. Since this salary had passed to the deceased after the death of his late father, Hakham Yosef,
by way of a petition to both the Spiritual and Lay Councils, and since the deceased has an eldest son, the aforementioned
Yosef, who is capable of taking his place because he is fit to perform this profession as required. On this occasion,
when the order is issued for his appointment in place of his late father, an act of mercy will be granted to
( ⟦...⟧ ) who cries out and pleads to your honorable position with all the bitterness of her heart.
Therefore, I ask of your justice to order the referral of this petition to the competent authority to look into my request
after appointing my aforementioned son at least [a little bit] so that he deserves the salary of the deceased and supports us with it.
And for the benefactors, there is a reward and recompense from God Almighty, and to your presence the greatest greetings and honor, my lord.
Tuffaha daughter of Eliyahu Salem
Widow of the deceased Nissim Hakham Yosef
Agassi.
Referred to His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, 1/4/939
⟦signature⟧
President of the Community
Page 29
Baghdad 15/1/949
His Excellency the President of the Israelite Community
The Respected Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
After greetings and respect
Reference to your letter No. 5274 dated 10/1/949
Sassoon the Scribe was the one assigned to write the Kasher
and the Taref in the slaughterhouse for a monthly wage. But the Lay Council
which was under the chairmanship of the late Mr. Naim Zilkha at that time
asked me to appoint one of the slaughterhouse employees to perform this work in addition
to his job, and Shabir Hakham Yosef was appointed to this position and has performed
it throughout this period. The deceased had verbally requested from me at
the time of his appointment an additional wage for this work of his, but I was unable to grant his request
at that time, and he personally did not write any official letter regarding that
until he passed away and wrote this letter out of severe distress.
Herewith you will find the petition attached, and with further respect
17.6.2002
0273F
15
Page 30
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 531
Number: 5284
Date: 17 January 939
Subject: 22
His Excellency the Respected President of the Lay Council
Reference to your postscript on the petition of the late Nissim Hakham Yosef Agassi dated 11/1/39
We return herewith the original petition of the applicant with a copy of the letter from the head of the slaughterhouse to this Presidency
dated 16/1/939, in which you will find the required clarification;
L.W.
President of the Community
To the Respected President of the Community
Subject: We request your opinion on the appropriate amount that your Excellency decides for ⟦the amount⟧ to be spent for the aforementioned
for writing the Kosher and Treif, and remain with respect.
17 January 939
Vice President
His Excellency the Respected President of the Lay Council - I suggest spending five Dinars for this purpose, and remain 24 / 1 / 939
President of the Community
Disburse. For filing
1/25
Page 31
B"H
20 Cheshvan 5709
To the Honorable Material Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Honorable President,
I, the undersigned, who serves in the Beth Midrash of Mr. Sasson Saleh, may God protect him,
for six years, and my salary was eight dinars per month and I received an increase
of two dinars and it became ten dinars, and I received 2000 fils cost of living allowance, and the total
of my salary is ten dinars and two hundred fils per month. And as is known to your honors
the high cost of living today, and also in the aforementioned Beth Midrash I have no income except for the
aforementioned salary, and this salary is not sufficient for me and my household, and I also pay
three dinars rent per month, and I am also sick and old and have no ability to work
another job, and I also serve in the aforementioned Beth Midrash with loyalty and integrity.
Therefore, I request from your honors to add to my salary a sum of 2000 fils
so that my salary will be 12 dinars, and I also request from your honors to give me
the cost of living increase of 6 dinars for the month of Tishrei and the month of Cheshvan and also
the holidays, and with thanks,
The servant,
Yaakov Yitzhak
Sexton in the Beth Midrash
Sasson Saleh
May his soul rest in Eden
Page 32
Telegrams : IDEAL
Telegraphic Address: Ideal
David Shaoul Obadiah * Baghdad
DAVID S. OBADIAH
GENERAL MERCHANT
Export of Wool, Skins & Sheep Casings
CODES :
BENTLEY'S COMPLETE PHRASE CODE
BENTLEY'S SECOND PHRASE CODE
ACME COMPLETE PHRASE CODE
RUDOLF MOSSE CODE
Baghdad 29/10/49 Baghdad
(IRAQ)
To the Honorable Mr. Shalom, Secretary of the Respected Lay Council, Baghdad
After greetings - we inform you ⟦that⟧ while I began today to remove the sand from the basin
belonging to the casings factory and located in the street near the aforementioned factory, there arrived
Mr. Ahmed Ramadan, one of the engineers of the Capital Municipality, and he prevented the workers from moving the sand
and cleaning the basin .. so we request you to contact him by telephone or in person so that
he may authorize our workers to clean the aforementioned basin, which is an essential part of the
casings factory and it is not possible to work with casings without it .. please accept our utmost respect
David Shaoul
⟦signature⟧
Page 33
2212
18 May 939
Presidency of the Jewish Slaughterhouse in Baghdad
The Lay Council decided in its meeting held on 17 May 939:
1 - To appoint Rabbi Yusuf Hayyim Mu'allim Ezra as an employee in the slaughterhouse with a monthly salary of two dinars
and a quarter starting from the first of May 939, in order to strengthen the staff of the slaughterhouse. With this additional
appointment, you will be able to make the necessary arrangements to allocate a staff of five slaughterhouse employees
to supervise the Kosher and Treif (Shemirit).
2 - Since Rabbi Yusuf Duri has been absent from his post for a long time, it is necessary for another person
to perform the work in his stead, and in the event that this person stops attending, you must inform the Council
of that immediately;
The President
A copy of it to the accountant for information
Page 34
Ma'adel Karim 6 Adar 6 Adar II 24 Nisan 6 Sivan 48
Tomchei Torah Society
This is to inform you that the amount paid to you monthly
from the school office from Al-Riyadh School is ⟦three⟧ dinars
for the months of Adar, Adar II, Nisan, and Sivan, which is 510 fils for each month
Please take the necessary action
The Accountant
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
For filing
29 / 5 / 10
Page 35
Baghdad 1 November 928
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected
Presented to your Excellency
I, Khedhouri El-Kowayl, the retiree, present to your Excellency that
my salary is very small, and I previously used to rely on my late
daughter who used to work as a nurse in the Royal Hospital
And since your Excellency knows what befell her three months ago
I have become in a financial state that calls for sympathy, so I beg
your Excellency to be so kind as to help me and give me my
accumulated salaries, and the matter is yours, sir
Khedhouri Cohen
Referred to the ⟦...⟧ Committee
11/1/929
For filing
29/1/2
Page 36
Telegrams : IDEAL
Telegraphic Address
Ideal
David Shaoul Obadiah * Baghdad
DAVID S. OBADIAH
GENERAL MERCHANT
Export of Wool, Skins & Sheep Casings
111/9 Mustansir Street
CODES :
BENTLEY'S COMPLETE PHRASE CODE
BENTLEY'S SECOND PHRASE CODE
ACME COMPLETE PHRASE CODE
RUDOLF MOSSE CODE
Baghdad 7 / 4 / 40 Baghdad
( IRAQ )
To the Honorable Secretary of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
After greetings - we inform you that I have vacated the casings factory leased from the community
on the due date, i.e., the 6th of this month, and I have sent you the key to the aforementioned factory
with the bearer. Please acknowledge its receipt.. and accept my highest respect and remain
David Shaoul
⟦signature⟧
For filing
Page 37
Baghdad 16 May 941
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected
Greetings and respect,
I submit herewith a copy of a petition I received from the slaughterhouse employees, pleading for compassion to pay
a portion of their overdue salaries because they have become in an unbearable state. My great hope is that the esteemed Council will take
urgent measures to address this issue and provide relief to these employees. With respect to your Excellency;
⟦Meir Sasson⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
Head of the Slaughterhouse
A copy to His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, the Respected
⟦Kerr⟧
62
⟦illegible⟧
Page 38
Baghdad 16 May 941
His Eminence, the respected Head of the Israelite Community
After greetings and respect
There is no doubt that you are fully aware of the severe distress prevailing over us due to the delay of our salaries for several months
especially in the present circumstances, and we are heads of families and in great need of urgent assistance to pay
part of our salaries so that we can live, and we beg you to mediate with the esteemed Lay Council
to have mercy on us, and to your Eminence all respect;
On behalf of our ⟦slaughterer⟧
⟦Zubaida witnesses⟧
Page 39
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 531
Number:
Date: 18 February 940
Subject:
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Ishaq, Respectfully
After greetings and respect
In view of the requirements of the public interest, we have assigned the appointment of your Eminence as the first head of the slaughterhouse in partnership with
the second head, His Eminence Rabbi Eliyahu Ibrahim, effective from 18 February 940, on
the condition that checks from now on be issued in the name of your Eminence only, and you alone shall represent the slaughterhouse
and sign the releases and be responsible for all its related matters;
⟦Sassoon Khedhouri⟧
Head of the Community
A copy of it to -
His Excellency the Head of the Lay Council, Respectfully
His Eminence Rabbi Eliyahu Ibrahim, Respectfully
Seen. For filing
2/6/940
⟦squiggle⟧
Page 40
2701
24 November 940
His Eminence, the President of the Spiritual Council, Respected
Reference to your letter No. 942 dated 23 June 5701
The appointment of employees is among the duties of the Lay Council; therefore, the decision of your esteemed council
to appoint Rabbi Yahya Abraham as an employee in the slaughterhouse was not appropriate. Therefore, we request you to submit
the names of the persons nominated by your Spiritual Council for this position so that the appointment of
one of them may be considered if it is confirmed that there is a necessity for such an appointment.
⟦illegible⟧
Vice President
Page 42
Baghdad on December 16, 1949
His Excellency the Head of the Community, the Respected
After offering the duties of respect, I submit
It is not hidden from your Excellency that I have performed
and I am still performing in the ⟦best⟧ manner what I am ⟦assigned⟧ to perform in the ⟦slaughterhouse⟧ after its time ends in the ⟦Al-Ain⟧ ⟦slaughterhouse⟧, starting from the first of the month of
June with a monthly salary of 4500 fils, and since I have not received any of this salary at all, I ask your Excellency to kindly
mediate with the Lay Council to pay my late salaries up to this day
Please accept my greetings, and the matter is yours, sir
Sincerely
Salim ⟦...⟧
Page 44
Baghdad, December 16, 1940
His Excellency, the respected Head of the Community
After offering the duties of respect, I submit:
It is not hidden from your Excellency that I was and still am
performing what is required to be done in the cemetery after my time in the cemetery tonight, and that is
starting from the first of June 940 at a monthly salary of one dinar and one hundred and fifty
fils, and since it has never been paid at this time, I ask your Excellency to kindly
order the Lay Council to pay my late salaries until this day
This, and please accept my greetings, and the matter is yours, sir
Sincerely
⟦Rahoum Levi⟧
⟦Guard⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 45
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 531
Number :: 6224
Date :: 19 December 940
Subject ::
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected
Greetings
Reference to our verbal conversation at the time with the Vice President, we attach herewith the two petitions
which reached me from His Eminence Rabbi Yaqub Masfi and Salim Hakham Eliyahu, requesting you to kindly
take the necessary decision to pay the entitlements of the aforementioned starting from the first of June 940;
Lu
⟦illegible⟧
President of the Community
Copy ⟦...⟧
For filing
24 / 12 / 940
Financial Department ⟦...⟧
Number 7740
Date 22 / 12 / 940
File Number ⟦...⟧
Page 46
The Chief Rabbi of the Holy City of Baghdad
Baghdad, May God Protect It
Chief Rabbi of Baghdad Benjamin H. Moshi
CHIEF RABBI
BENJAMIN H. MOSHI
BAGHDAD
Number: 1056
Date: 20 / 1 / 1949
Honorable and Respected Mr. Salim A. Naftali A. Shoker
Honorable Mr. Dahib
In the name of the Gemilut Hasadim Committee of the Community Council, we express our great thanks to you for your help
which you have obligated yourself to, Mr. Ali son of Haz' Salim A. Isaac, to write to you regarding the matter of the month of Shawwal and the like.
The amount of your worth ⟦illegible⟧/87 from ⟦illegible⟧ of Shawwal 1941/11/17, all of which is in good condition
And in all your Shawwal we look into the majesty of a letter with you, the other Shawwal. Shawwal in two parts
written, and in this is the help of seven pious ones, the holy pious of God, and from God we greet you and honor you
We only precede you and what the special ones wrote with their hands as their own with blessing and in your rest likewise
And let everyone who wrote to you live with blessing and all 24 of your Shawwal likewise
We approach your deserving ones to send to you their own with the blessing of the holy month of Shawwal
Peace to you and all those who deserve you, may you be blessed
K. K. A. H. P.
⟦Signature⟧
⟦Signature⟧
Page 47
The Spiritual Committee of the Jewish Community
Baghdad, May God Protect It
The Israelite Spiritual Council
in Baghdad
Number: 2452
Date: 28 / ⟦illegible⟧ / ⟦illegible⟧
To the attention of the Honorable Manager of the Assets of the Spiritual Committee
After your honor
Your letter from ⟦illegible⟧ current, we have in it that regarding the management of the shops
of the synagogues and their service under the Real Estate Manager of the Spiritual Committee, provided that
all of that be under its hand, we have in the matter of this esteemed manager
accordingly, we accepted the consultation of the Spiritual Committee on Tuesday ⟦illegible⟧
that in the management, provided that this manager and their service be under the order of the Spiritual Committee
the Spiritual Manager of that
Likewise, the manager of the Spiritual Committee, provided that (100) be the daily management
that this be in the management of the Spiritual Committee under the order
and likewise the management of the real estate belongings of the synagogues. And we hope that
you agree to this and the consultation will proceed with the manager
Your Honor
⟦illegible⟧
Answer
Page 48
The Jewish Lay Council
Baghdad
Number 2414
Date 7 July 943
His Eminence the President of the Jewish Spiritual Council, Respected
Reference to your letter No. 1252 dated 28 Sivan 5703
We convey to you below the decision of the Lay Council taken at its meeting held on 4
July 943 to act accordingly.
President
⟦illegible⟧
A copy of it to the Presidency of the Jewish Slaughterhouse to act accordingly
" " Accountant of the Lay Council " "
"The letter received from the Presidency of the Jewish Spiritual Council No. 1252 dated 28
Sivan 5703 was read, and its content is that Mr. Elisha Shohet, the employee in the slaughterhouse, has passed away, and therefore
the Spiritual Council proposes the appointment of both Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Rabi and the person named Nissim
Elisha Shohet as employees in the slaughterhouse, in order to increase the efficiency of the slaughtering, especially since it has previously
occurred that the slaughterer Rabbi Yaqub Shaul resigned from the slaughterhouse and the Council did not appoint a replacement for him.
Therefore, the Council decided: -
1) To stop the salary of the deceased Elisha Shohet as of the first of July 943
2) To appoint Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Rabi as an employee in the slaughterhouse with a monthly salary of four
dinars as of the first of July 943
3) To appoint Nissim Elisha Shohet as an employee in the slaughterhouse with a monthly salary of four dinars
as of the first of July 943 "
Page 49
The Spiritual Committee of the Jewish Community
Baghdad, may God protect it
The Israeli Spiritual Council
in Baghdad
Number: <del>1442</del>
Date: 23 / 1 / 52
To the honorable Mr. Ezra, Mr. Naftali, Mr. Isaac
In the city of A. B.H.G.
In accordance with the decision of the Finance Committee in its meeting on 14/1/52
It was then decided to add to you a sum of 5 Dinars for each of you
And from now on you will be receiving a sum of 15 Dinars for each of you
Every single month starting from January 1, 52
14/1/52
Benjamin T.
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Finance Committee
Baghdad
Page 50
The Israeli Lay Council
Baghdad
Number
Date May 14, 943
His Eminence Rabbi Michael Jeremiah, Respectfully
The Lay Council has decided to allocate a monthly salary of five dinars
to Rabbi Jacob Saul, to be paid from the Yeshivot budget starting from the first of May
943
The President
A copy of it to the accountant to act accordingly
" " " Rabbi Jacob Saul