although an informal ashkenazi rabbinical court existed in jerusalem from 1837 with zundel salant at its helm, it was not until 1841 that his son-in-law, shmuel salant, opened a proper beis din in a room at the hurva complex. in 1860, salant appointed meir aurbach to replace him as chief rabbi. upon his death in 1878, the post returned to salant who held it until his death in 1909. through his efforts after he retook office in 1878, salant was able to procure the dignities previously granted by the ottoman government only to the sephardim, for the ashkenazim as well. he became the first official ashkenazic chief rabbi of jerusalem.