[1] p., 135:210 mm., light age staining, ink on paper, 8 lines of beautiful Ashkenazic script by the Rabbi, signed, sealed, and dated.

Decree on the receipt of 25 Napoleon lire in hard currency in an agreement by R. Binyamin b. Natan haKohen, rabbinic head of the Kosiv Kollel in Safed. The bottom two lines are an acknowledgement of two additional members of the Kollel as to the receipt of funds and accuracy of the rabbi's previous statement.

The funds were received from the Austrian branch of the Rebbe Meir Ba'al ha-nes charity fund. Beginning with the 18th century a Rebbe Meir Ba'al ha-Nes box was found in almost every Jewish home, and housewives dropped small change into it just before kindling the Sabbath lights. Due to the miraculous deeds connected with the tomb of Rebbe Meir, it was customary to contribute money, candles, or oil for lighting as a specific protection against all kinds of ailments and dangers; it was also done in the hope of finding something lost, of having children, or of driving away evil thoughts. It is clear, however, that the box also symbolized the longing for Erez Israel where the money was distributed through several competitive Kollels.

Hebrew Description