Papo, Judah. Shever Poshim [controversy concerning the administration of the Kollels of Hebron]

(LAND OF ISRAEL)

Israel Bak

Jerusalem

1862

First Edition

Vinograd, Jerusalem 105; Halevi 69

Concerns the refusal of the emissary Joseph Shalom to present an audit of expenses and monies collected to the Rabbis of Hebron. Shalom was a wealthy individual who volunteered to administer the fund raising activities fre of charge - “out of love” The Rabbis accused him of being a charlatan and using the funds for his own private concerns, while the Kollel was colapsing under the burden of debt. Shalom enlisted the British Consul, James Finn, to have two of the Rabbis of Hebron arrested (these Rabbis are depicted as “gedolei Yisrael”). Shalom was excommunicated by both the Sefardic and Ashkenazic Rabbis of Hebron, Jerusalem Safed and Tiberias. The two Rabbis were finally released three months later. Details of this controversy were reported at length in the Jewish Chronicle, July 5th, 1861.