Manuscript, Torah Novellae Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Yaakov Berdugo, Head of the Meknes Beit Din and Author ...

Manuscript, Torah Novellae Handwritten and Signed by Rabbi Yaakov Berdugo, Head of the Meknes Beit Din and Author of Shufreih DeYaakov
Manuscript, Torah novellae handwritten and signed by R. Yaakov Berdugo. [Morocco, ca. first half of the 19th century].
These leaves were handwritten by R. Yaakov Berdugo, head of the Meknes Beit Din. They contain two halachic treatises: 1. Property claimed against an unpaid debt. R. Yaakov's signature appears at the end of the responsum, on p. [7b]: "Tolaat Yaakov", with his distinctive flourish. 2. Shtar Hatava (a deed giving the right to buy back sold property). This part contains many interlinear and marginal deletions, additions and emendations. He mentions the dayanim R. Yosef Ashriki and R. Aharon Monsonego. R. Yaakov writes: "In regard to this topic of Hatava, I see a troop of scholars debating in Halacha, one building and the other one destroying, one obligating and the other one exempting… and I was requested to express my opinion, according to which opinion Halacha should be established, even though I am unintelligent…".
R. Yaakov Berdugo (1786-1843), leading Meknes Torah scholar, served as head of the Meknes Beit Din. He was the son of R. Yekutiel Berdugo (eldest brother of HaMalach Refael Berdugo). "He was renowned throughout the Maghreb for his wisdom and holiness" (Malchei Rabbanan, p. 70). He was known in his times as "L'Haham" (=the Chacham), a title which expressed the veneration for him, and wondrous stories are retold about him (see article). He authored Shufreih DeYaakov, Kol Yaakov and other books.
[9] leaves (18 written pages). 19 cm. Fair condition. Worming and dampness damage, traces of mold, affecting text. Leaves professionally restored.