140-Year-Old Deed Signed by Gedolim of Yerushalayim 1881
Deed of gift of a store in the Churvah of Rabbi Yehuda Hachosid, to Talmud Torah and Yeshivas Eitz Chaim in Jerusalem by R’ Zev Wolf of Visaky. The deed is signed and
dated 12 Teves, 1881.
This deed also bears the signatures of the eyewitnesses Aharon Zelig ben Kalman; Shmuel Babad; and Zev Wolf ben Aryeh Leib.
Verified with the signatures of the following Gaoinai Yerushalayim:
Rabbi Mordechai ben Moreinu Aryeh Leib.
Rabbi "Ya’akov ben Moshe" of zevlin, Av Beit Din of Motol, served as Rav for 38 years abroad and 12 years in Jerusalem. Died in 1887.
Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Leib Loewy (1813-1889) was the son of Rabbi Avraham Loewy and the brother of the illustrious Rabbi Nachum of Shadik. A genius in both the Revealed and Hidden Torah, he initially served as the Av Beis Din of Sleshin and later as the Raavad of Yerushalayim for over 40 years. He was one of the saintly kabbalists of Yeshivas Beis E-l, and his conduct followed the teachings of the Arizal. Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Leib stood at the forefront of the Ashkenazic Yishuv in Yerushalayim and was among the founders of the legendary Kollel Polin. He established and personally oversaw the Kupas Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, which raised funds for the poverty-stricken residents of Yerushalayim. Additionally, he served as the Nasi of the Vaad Haklali.
He dedicated himself to Torah study, spending night and day in the beis medrash, never abandoning his seat, and even receiving his meals there. He returned home only for Shabbos. He passed away on 11 Elul, 1889, and his Chidushim were printed in sefer Bayis L’Avos.
