Hakham Bashi of the Ottoman Empire (jan 1, 1836 – jan 1, 1920)

Description:

Within the Ottoman Empire, which covered North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans, each religious group had a high degree of internal autonomy. The Ottomans recognized a number of local rabbis as chief rabbi (Hakham Bashi) to administer Jewish law in their Jewish communities.

The Hakham Bashi in Istanbul, the imperial capital, was recognized as the head of the Jewish communities in the entire empire. His administration had the power to establish courts of law, judge cases, pass legislation for the Jewish community and enforce its rulings throughout the empire. The Hakham Bashi also collected taxes from the Jewish population.

The Hakham Bashi was respected by the Sultan of the empire and could sometimes influence imperial politics.

In 1842 the Ottomans officially recognized the Rishon LeTzion (the chief rabbi in Jerusalem) as the Hakham Bashi of Palestine (the Land of Israel). This position evolved into the modern Sephardic Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel.

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