[1] Aged fifteen, he was taken by his father to Jerusalem, where he studied rabbinical literature in the various colleges.

The Turkish rabbis, in consulting him at the age of 35 on matters of religious law, addressed him as "Gaon.

[2] In 1850, he was appointed dayyan (religious judge) of the Jewish community of Jerusalem with the support of both Sephardim and Ashkenazim.

[1] The sultan, in confirming Ashkenazi's election, conferred upon him the title of Hakam Bashi, whereby he became chief rabbi of Palestine, which post he held for about twelve years.

[3] Ashkenazi was very popular among Christians and Muslims as well as among Jews; at his funeral most of the foreign consuls were present.