Jacob Meir
Encyclopedia
Jacob Meir, was the first Sephardic Chief Rabbi
appointed under the British Mandate of Palestine. A talmudic scholar, fluent in Hebrew as well as five other languages, he enjoyed a reputation as one of Jerusalem's most respected rabbis.
under Rabbi Menachem Bechor Isaac and Kabbalah
under Rabbi Aharon Azriel.
In 1882 he was sent to Bukhara
, as the first emissary to visit that country. He was instrumental in encouraging the immigration of Bukhara Jews to Palestine. In 1885, 1888, and 1900 he visited Tunisia and Algeria as an emissary. In 1888–99 he was a member of the Beth Din
of Rabbi Jacob Saul Elyashar
in Jerusalem. Under Turkish rule, he often interceded with the authorities on behalf of the Jewish community; he also encouraged the construction of new Jewish quarters of Jerusalem.
In 1899 he was appointed deputy head of the Beth Din of Rabbi Raphael Isaac Israel. In 1906 he was chosen chief rabbi of Jerusalem, succeeding Elyashar, but his appointment was vetoed by his opponents, supported by the Hakham Bashi
in Constantinople, because of his Zionist affiliations. He was subsequently inducted as Hakham Bashi of Palestine, but six months later he was deposed by the Sultan of Turkey and Eliahu M. Panigel took charge of overseeing the orthodox community.
was established. Meir was elected as Sephardi chief rabbi of Palestine and took the position, assuming the title of "Rishon le-Zion". He was at the forefront of the effort to revive Hebrew as a modern language. He held the post until his death. A letter he wrote in 1936 called an "Appeal for Friendliness" called on the Muslims of Jerusalem to halt any hatred and animosity towards Jews who were returning to their Holy Land.
Meir died on May 26, 1939, aged 83 years old. Over 10,000 Jewish residents of Jerusalem, representing all sections of the population took part in the funeral procession.
, King of Hejaz
. In 2006 the Israel Postal Authority issued a stamp bearing his image.
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
appointed under the British Mandate of Palestine. A talmudic scholar, fluent in Hebrew as well as five other languages, he enjoyed a reputation as one of Jerusalem's most respected rabbis.
Early life
Born in Jerusalem in 1856, the son of a successful merchant, Calev Mercado, Meir studied the TalmudTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
under Rabbi Menachem Bechor Isaac and Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
under Rabbi Aharon Azriel.
In 1882 he was sent to Bukhara
Bukhara
Bukhara , from the Soghdian βuxārak , is the capital of the Bukhara Province of Uzbekistan. The nation's fifth-largest city, it has a population of 263,400 . The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time...
, as the first emissary to visit that country. He was instrumental in encouraging the immigration of Bukhara Jews to Palestine. In 1885, 1888, and 1900 he visited Tunisia and Algeria as an emissary. In 1888–99 he was a member of the Beth Din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of Rabbi Jacob Saul Elyashar
Jacob Saul Elyashar
Jacob Saul Elyashar, , was a 19th-century Sephardi rabbi who became Chief Rabbi of Palestine in 1893.He was born in Safed to Eliezer Jeroham Elyashar. In 1853 he was appointed dayan in Jerusalem and became head of the beth din in 1869. In 1893 he became the Rishon LeZion or Sephardi chief rabbi of...
in Jerusalem. Under Turkish rule, he often interceded with the authorities on behalf of the Jewish community; he also encouraged the construction of new Jewish quarters of Jerusalem.
In 1899 he was appointed deputy head of the Beth Din of Rabbi Raphael Isaac Israel. In 1906 he was chosen chief rabbi of Jerusalem, succeeding Elyashar, but his appointment was vetoed by his opponents, supported by the Hakham Bashi
Hakham Bashi
Hakham Bashi is the Turkish name for the Chief Rabbi of the nation's Jewish community.-History:The institution of the Hakham Bashi was established by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, as part of the millet system for governing exceedingly diverse subjects according to their own laws and authorities...
in Constantinople, because of his Zionist affiliations. He was subsequently inducted as Hakham Bashi of Palestine, but six months later he was deposed by the Sultan of Turkey and Eliahu M. Panigel took charge of overseeing the orthodox community.
Salonika
Meir went on to be elected chief rabbi of Salonika in 1908, where he remained until 1919. He was elected chief rabbi of Jerusalem in 1911, but the Jews of Salonika prevented him from assuming the office.Palestine
In 1921 the Chief Rabbinate of PalestineChief Rabbinate of Israel
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is recognized by law as the supreme halakhic and spiritual authority for the Jewish people in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate Council assists the two chief rabbis, who alternate in its presidency. It has legal and administrative authority to organize religious...
was established. Meir was elected as Sephardi chief rabbi of Palestine and took the position, assuming the title of "Rishon le-Zion". He was at the forefront of the effort to revive Hebrew as a modern language. He held the post until his death. A letter he wrote in 1936 called an "Appeal for Friendliness" called on the Muslims of Jerusalem to halt any hatred and animosity towards Jews who were returning to their Holy Land.
Meir died on May 26, 1939, aged 83 years old. Over 10,000 Jewish residents of Jerusalem, representing all sections of the population took part in the funeral procession.
Honours
In 1920, Meir was honoured with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire award for service to the British. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honor and received decorations from the sultan of Turkey and Greek government as well as Hussein bin AliHussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca
Sayyid Hussein bin Ali, GCB was the Sharif of Mecca, and Emir of Mecca from 1908 until 1917, when he proclaimed himself King of Hejaz, which received international recognition. He initiated the Arab Revolt in 1916 against the increasingly nationalistic Ottoman Empire during the course of the...
, King of Hejaz
Kingdom of Hejaz
The Kingdom of Hejaz was a state in the Hejaz region, ruled by the Hashemite family. The kingdom was annexed by Nejd and merged into the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz in the mid 1920s, which would eventually be known as Saudi Arabia in 1932.-Kings of Hejaz:...
. In 2006 the Israel Postal Authority issued a stamp bearing his image.