“I sign בהר”ב, and here, בהר”ב is missing!”
Lengthy and respectable letter spanning two folio pages [approximately 450 words] handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Weinberg (I), founder of Slonim Chassidut, known as the author of Yessod HaAvodah . Slonim, 1880s.
The letter is addressed to and discusses Slonim Chassidim in Tiberias, including names such as the disciple of the Yessod V’Shoresh HaAvodah, Rabbi Hirsch Michel Shapira, and others. Looking into the letter closely, one can infer that the Rebbe is dealing with a concealed matter with respect to Tiberias. The manuscript has not been closely examined as befits the significance of such a lengthy letter from the author of Yessod HaAvodah . It was revealed for the first time about 150 years after it was written and gives us a final chance to read new things from the Yessod HaAvodah.
It is interesting to note that the Rebbe writes in this letter, inter alia , “I sign בהר”ב, and here, בהר”ב is missing!” and indeed, it is missing. Apparently the Yessod HaAvodah is attempting to prove that a certain letter that was published in his name was actually fraudulent, and the proof is that he did not write his name with the conclusion ‘בהר”ב.’ What is interesting is that in the letter here as well, the Rebbe signs using only his first name, “Avraham, ” without בהר”ב…
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Avraham Weinberg, the first Admo”r of Slonim, author of Yessod HaAvodah.
As his teachers did, the Yessod HaAvodah considered the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel as important, and he headed the Reisin Kollel. In a rare step, he sent three of his grandsons to ascend to the Land of Israel at the age of 13 during the period of 1870-1874. Because, he said, “A time of terrible concealment will come …” He wanted to plant some of his community in the Land of Israel so that there would be someone around whom to consolidate. His Chassidim consider this step to have been Divine inspiration, as in this way he assured himself a legacy. Most of the Chassidim were killed in the Holocaust, and this group in the Land of Israel rehabilitated Chassidut in the Land of Israel. One of the grandsons he sent to the Land was Rabbi Noach Weinberg, father of the Admo”r of Slonim, Rabbi Avraham Weinberg (III), father-in-law of the Admo”r Rabbi Shalom Noach Berzovsky of Slonim, father of the Admo”r shlit”a of Slonim.
[1] leaf divided into [2] leaves, 13×15 cm each. [Approximately 450 words handwritten and signed by the Yessod HaAvodah.]
Fine condition. The script is slightly faded. The letter has been professionally restored with damage to individual words.
“I mentioned [you] today to the tzaddik for a complete recovery”
Rare family letter with important content. Entirely handwritten and signed by the second Admo”r of the Slonim dynasty, the sacred Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg. Sent to “My dear father and mother …” Usiatyn, Monday of parashat VaYechi [c. late 1840s].
The letter is addressed to the Mahara”sh’s mother and father, the tzaddik Rabbi Yechiel Michel Aharon, only son of the Yessod HaAvodah of Slonim, known for his immense humility, who refused to lead the people. The leadership fell to his son, the Mahara”sh, while he was still a young avreich of about thirty years old. Admo”rim of Slonim over the generations have been known to express their astonishment at the degree of his humility. Due to the refusal of the tzaddik Rabbi Yechiel Michel Aharon to accept the leadership, Rabbi Avraham HaMalach – who was one of his primary followers – said about the Yessod HaAvodah: “Rabbis and other fine Jews will yet arise, but there will never be another like him.”
In his letter, the Mahara”sh discusses his mother’s health; the letter reveals his extreme distress over her ill health. He expresses his desire to come see his parents, but at present “I am forcibly delayed.” The rebbe writes to his mother, “I mentioned [you] today to the tzaddik for a complete recovery.” According to the location it was written, “Usiatyn” – this is apparently referring to the sacred Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Shraga Feivush of Husiatyn (patriarch of the Husiatyn dynasty, son of the sacred Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin) who was followed by the Mahara”sh of Slonim.
Later on in the letter, the Mahara”sh of Slonim tells his parents about what is happening with him, his fine state of health – so that they don’t worry about him: “With respect to my health, baruch Hashem , I am fulfilling the commandment to guard it closely, eating meat every day and sleeping the amount required for me, and baruch Hashem , all is well …”
It is known that manuscripts by Admo”rim over the generations are used as tried-and-true amulets for all types of salvation. How much more so a letter about healing from the Mahara”sh of Slonim – one of the leading Admo”rim of the generations, dealing with both his mother’s recovery and his own health.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the Admo”r Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg and of the addressee, his father, the tzaddik, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Aharon Weinberg .
[1] leaf, 14×22 cm. The entire letter is handwritten and signed by the Mahara”sh of Slonim.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains. Tiny tears in the folds and in the margins.
“This anxiety can be reversed using the power of imagery”
Extraordinarily important letter of guidance entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Weinberg, author of Beit Avraham of Slonim, one of the leading Admo”rim of his generation, with blessings and practical advice about how to recover from anxiety (nervousness, compulsion), from which many bnei Torah suffer.
The letter was sent to the rebbe’s relative, Rabbi Zelig [Weinberg]. The Beit Avraham, as was his way, with open rebuke and with concealed love, calls him “the Chassid, when he so desires …” Later on, the Beit Avraham briefly yet precisely guides him as to how he should behave in order to recover from this affliction, as follows, “This anxiety can be reversed using the power of imagery. Eat good meat and drink well, and sleep as required”!
Alongside these important directives, both practical and segulah – in that it was written with his pure quill – the sacred rebbe, from whose word the entire Jewish people trembled, whether in his own courtyard in Europe or in the Land of Israel, concludes his important and rare healing letter with a lofty blessing: “And you will be strengthened to become a vibrant person who accomplishes much. Be strong and of good courage, Avraham.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Weinberg .
[1] leaf, 10×17 cm. The entire letter is handwritten and signed by the Beit Avraham.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Several ink smudges. Signs of tearing in the far lower corner.
Important and lengthy letter [4 pages] with Chassidic-family-historic content. Entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Weinberg [III] of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham . Warsaw, Monday, Terumah, 1927.
The letter is addressed to Rabbi Zelig Weinberg, son of the Birkat Avraham, chock-full of Slonim-Chassidic details about the dynasty’s Admo”rim, and historic details about the Chassidic settlement in Tiberias, mentioning several names, as well as several personal details.
“Here I am now, ten days together with the Admo”r, shlit”a… He said to me that at present, certainly for another month, he will not let me travel … I already wanted to go home, but the Admo”r shlit”a won’t let me … I believe he wants me to stay until after Pesach, G-d willing, so I ask father, shlit”a, to speak with mother to influence her – and you, too – speak well, until she feels the will in her heart and agrees. ”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Weinberg [III] of Slonim .
[4] pp, 20 cm. Entirely handwritten and signed by the Birkat Avraham.
Very fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains.
Lengthy letter [3 pp] with important and interesting content, entirely handwritten and signed by the sacred gaon Rabbi Yisrael Pinchas HaKohen Rabinowitz, av beit din of Radomsk, son of Rabbi Tzvi Meir, av beit din of Radomsk, son and successor of the Tiferet Shlomo. Radomsk, 1924.
The letter discusses the suggestion of a potential shidduch for his son, the ilui , the gaon Rabbi Yekutiel Nattan Nota HaKohen Rabinowitz. His father, the sacred gaon of Radomsk, explains his son’s exceptional virtues to one of Poland’s great gvirim in this letter. Although the young man is primarily occupied with pilpul and iyun , his aggadic derashot have become famous and the best of the darshanim ask him to write derashot for them. His son’s knowledge of mathematics is also wondrous, despite his never studying the subject, and should he need to know the local language, with his tremendous talent, he will acquire this knowledge in no time as well. The av beit din of Radomsk declares to the shadchan that he himself plans to ascend to the Land of Israel some time soon, and leave the rabbinate of Radomsk in the hands of this son, with whom the whole community is satisfied. The shadchan also speaks of the other side, writing that the kallah’s father [named in the letter] also plans on passing his rabbinic position on to the prodigious son-in-law, should the shidduch come to fruition.
However, this shidduch did not actually materialize. The gaon Rabbi Yekutiel Nattan Nota HaKohen Rabinowitz, who was already 22 years old, became engaged that year to a daughter of the Chassid Rabbi Mendel Landau ztz”l, and was immediately appointed rabbi of Brisk-Kuyavsk. His father, the gaon Rabbi Yisrael Pinchas HaKohen Rabinowitz, av beit din of Radomsk, did not actually ascend to the Land of Israel as he had planned. He was murdered at the head of his community in 1942. The subject of this letter, his son the gaon Rabbi Yekutiel Nattan Nota HaKohen Rabinowitz, was also apparently killed in the Holocaust.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the gaon Rabbi Yisrael Pinchas Rabinowitz and his son, the gaon Rabbi Yekutiel Nattan Nota HaKohen Rabinowitz, av beit din of Brisk-Kuyavsk .
[1] sheet folded into [3] written pages, 13×20 cm each. Official stationery.
Fine-very fine condition. Fold marks.
“Recall that I am the only grandson of my sacred grandfather from Mezhibuzh, the Apter Rav, may his merit protect us, and a grandchild of the sacred Ba’al Shem Tov, of blessed memory …”
Holocaust letter with important Chassidic content, entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel Gottesman of Stanislav. The letter was sent the week prior to the Nazi invasion of Poland, and it contains very harsh descriptions of the situation in Poland at the outbreak of the Holocaust. It is loaded with blessings from the Rebbe. Drohobych, Elul, 1939. Yiddish with some Hebrew.
The letter is dated Tuesday of the week parashat Ki Tetzei is read [postmarked 23 August 1939]. The next week, on Friday of parashat Ki Tavo [September first, 1939], the Nazis invaded Poland, triggering WWII. This is one of the final Holocaust letters sent from Free Poland.
In his letter, the Rebbe describes the harsh conditions prevailing in Poland, “I find myself in a very bad camp; the situation is unimaginable.” He pleads with his Chassidim in the free world to collect funds to rescue him, “Raise funds among Jews and send all the funds together.” The Rebbe, in his melancholy state, mentions the merit of his ancestors, “Recall that I am the only grandson of my sacred grandfather from Mezhibuzh, the Apter Rav, may his merit protect us, and a grandchild of the sacred Ba’al Shem Tov, of blessed memory, who also lies in Mezhibuzh.”
The Rebbe concludes his shocking letter with warm blessings from a loving and caring heart to his Chassidim who are concerned about his welfare: “May Hashem help us have a blessed, light year, to be inscribed and sealed for the good. May you be blessed with health and prosperity, and much success.” Sadly, about three years later, in late 1942, the rebbe was murdered at the head of his followers, in his town of Drohobych, where he served in his final years, and from where he sent this letter.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for the lineage and a brief biography of the sacred rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel Gottesman of Stanislav .
[1] postal postcard, 11×15 cm.
Fine condition. Aging stains, creases and tears, without lack in the text.
Touching letter from Rebbetzin Yocheved Horowitz, wife of the rebbe Rabbi Yosef Baruch HaLevi Horowitz, av beit din of Chentchin, author of Hagahot Yosef Berachah on Rebi Yehudah HeChassid’s last will and testament [son of the elder Admo”r of Poland, the rebbi Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel of Chentchin-Elkush]. Chentchin, Monday of the week Parashat Behar is read [Iyyar], 1939. Yiddish.
This letter was sent just a few months before the outbreak of the Holocaust, within the year of mourning for her husband, the rabbi of Chetchin, who passed away during the typhus plague, predeceasing his father, the rebbe of Chentchin-Elkush, who in his own lifetime appointed his son as rabbi of Chentchin.
The widow, who was left alone with young children at home, begs the Ezrat Torah association in America to support her. However, she does not ask for material help for her children, but for her two teenage boys who must travel to study at yeshivah. Given that it was her husband’s – the rabbi’s – entire desire that his sons grow in Torah, she pleads that they help her send her sons to the yeshivahs.
Four months later, in Elul 1939, Nazi German forces invaded Poland, triggering WWII. The Rebbetzin and her children, along with the majority of European Jewry, were martyred in Hashem’s Name.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Rebbetzin of Chentchin, Mrs. Yocheved Horowitz , and her husband, the rebbi Rabbi Yosef Baruch HaLevi of Chentchin .
[1] postal postcard, written on both sides. Official stationery of the Rebbe of Chentchin.
Fine-very fine condition. Slight ink smudge.
Letter of semichah and a rare recommendation for the appointment of a rabbi, entirely [10 lines] handwritten, signed and stamped by the sacred rabbi Mordechai Rokeach of Bilgoray, son of the Mahari”d of Belz and father of the Admo”r, shlit”a. Tel Aviv, Sunday of Chukat, 1949.
Very beautiful letter with unique content like none ever seen. The letter was written just a few months before the cedar of Lebanon was cut down and the rebbe of Bilgoray passed away. In this rare letter, the rebbe of Bilgoray attests regarding his relative the gaon and Chassid Rabbi…… one of the most prominent Chassidim of Belz – that he is fit to don the cloak of the rabbinate, stating as follows:
“When synagogues are revived, baruch Hashem , the first need is to establish a rabbi and moreh tzeddek , and the above-mentioned gaon is most talented, a talmid chacham and scion of greats. It would be appropriate for you to place him at your head as rabbi and darshan and follow his sweet leadership, G-d willing, from the springs for Torah and hora’ah . May Hashem assist in expanding the boundaries of sanctity, HaK’ Mordechai, son of the Admo’r of Belz, of Bilgoray.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the sacred Rabbi Mordechai Rokeach of Bilgoray.
[1] leaf, approximately 22×18 cm. Entirely handwritten, signed and stamped by him.
Fine condition. Fold marks, tiny tears in the folds, without damage or lack.
“Because the sefer Galut Aliyot … was not among the sefarim that fell in my lot …”
Rare letter with interesting content, entirely handwritten and signed by the sacred gaon Rabbi Avraham Yosef Greenwald, av beit din of Makava, Chust and Ungvar, author of Shu”t Avnei Shoham and firstborn son and successor of the Arugat HaBosem. The letter was sent on the day after the first yahrtzeit of the author of Arugat HaBosem , as appears in this letter: “Yesterday was my father, ztzllh”h’s yahrtzeit …” Chust, Wednesday of the week VaEtchanan is read [8 Av], 1911.
The letter was addressed to the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Stern, ra’ava”d of Mishkholtz, and it discusses the Sefer Galut Aliyot (on mikva’ot ) lent by Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac to the author of Arugat HaBosem . Its owner is requesting its return now that the father has passed away. Rabbi Avraham Yosef responds that this sefer did not fall in his part of the inheritance, and he asked his brother and his brother-in-law about the sefer when they came to Chust for their father’s first yahrtzeit. However, they also do not have the sefer in their possession, so it was apparently lost or stolen. Hence the gaon Rabbi Avraham Yosef requests that the ra’ava”d of Mishkoltz inform him of the price of the sefer so that he may compensate him for it.
Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Stern also requested that he look in the satchel of the Arugat HaBosem’s writings to see if there is a responsum there about civil marriage. Rabbi Yosef Avraham responds that he did not find anything about this.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Avraham Yosef Greenwald .
[1] leaf paper, 22×23 cm, entirely handwritten and signed by the Avnei Shoham.
Fine condition. Light aging stains. Fold marks.
Beautiful letter of appreciation to Sir Moshe Montefiore, signed by the av beit din of Safed, the sacred Rabbi Moshe David Ashkenazi, rabbi of Tolcsva and father-in-law of the Yitev Lev of Sighet. Safed, 9 Sivan, 1850.
Additional signatory: the rebbe, Rabbi Chaim Yisrael son of Rabbi Ya’akov Dov, rabbi of Romen, who was a follower of Rabbi Yitzchak of Radivil, and later a follower of the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin.
The av beit din of Safed expresses his appreciation to Sir Montefiore in this letter for his £10 3s (ten pounds and three shillings) donation to the settlement in Safed in memory of the gvir R’ Levi Zalman. Sacred residents of Safed praise Montefiore “with the triple blessing.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Moshe David Ashkenazi .
[1] double leaf paper, 12×19 cm. Lined bluish paper.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Tear without lack in the far margins.
Sacred letter with important community content, entirely [over 100 words] handwritten and signed in full by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Zusha Portugal of Skulen. The letter deals with the establishment of Torah institutions for children from weak families, to whom the tzaddik was very devoted, as is well-known. Brooklyn, New York, Thursday of Parashat VaYera , 1970.
The letter was written for the gaon and Chassid Rabbi Avraham Michael [Halperin], av beit din of Atlit, who desired to establish Torah institutions for local children. For the Skulener rebbe, the issue of pure education was especially precious. While other Admo”rim established schools for the children in their own communities, the Skulener Rebbe went much further and established institutions in remote communities for people who were spiritually distant in order to bring their children closer to Torah.
This letter symbolizes the spark in his heart “di pintel fun di hartz” of the sacred rebbe – the pure education of Jewish children, and at the same time, their material well-being, writing as follows: “So the children not fall into the hands of the network of ‘free’ education … a Torah institution is very necessary, along with food, drink and accommodations – in the spirit of Avraham Avinu.”
The sacred Rebbe blesses the donors with abundance, beginning from the date at the top of the letter: “I shall surely bless”; “A life of blessing and peace”; “May ‘it be a tree of life for all who cling to it’ be fulfilled for you, HaK’ Eliezer Zusha, son of the gaon and tzaddik R’ Y. A. ztz”l Portugal.”
Manuscripts by tzaddikim over the generations are known to have been used as tried-and-true amulets for all matters. This letter qualifies especially, as it is a general letter, designated for anyone [not someone specific] and it is full of blessings handwritten and signed in full by the rebbe himself.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Rebbe Rabbi Eliezer Zusha Portugal of Skulen .
[1] leaf paper, 21×14 cm. Personal stationery of the Rebbe, written entirely in his hand.
Fine condition. Fold marks and creases. Professionally restored tear. Old adhesive marks.
“May we all merit much salvation …”
Historic invitation to the wedding of the rebbe Rabbi David Twersky – the Admo”r of Skver, shlit”a, from his father, the Admo”r Rabbi Ya’akov Yosef of Skver. New Square, New York, 1958.
The invitation is in text of the type used by Admo”rim, with the acrostic of the names of the bride and groom [the names of the bride and groom are embossed with gold ink], as befits an invitation for a person destined to serve as one of the Admo”rim of the generation. The Rebbe ztzk”l of Skver gives abundant blessings upon the joyous occasion, and he signs in his name and with the name of his ancestors. The Rebbe mentions the mechutanim in this invitation, the Yeshuot Moshe and the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, in whose courtyards in Bnei Brak this wedding was held. The Aufruf and the Farshpiel were to take place in New Square.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi David Twersky shlit”a .
The Admo”r of Skver, shlit”a, is one of the most senior and most prominent Admo”rim of our times.
[1] leaf, 18×26 cm. High-quality paper.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Filing perforations. Light aging stains. Notations.
“… A good, happy year … May Hashem help in all matters for the good [regarding livelihood] and May Hashem help your daughters who are here, and may we hear only good tidings … blessings for a complete recovery …”
Sacred amulet: lengthy letter [approximately 60 words!] rare and loaded with blessings for children, health and sustenance. The letter was entirely written and signed by the sacred Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Alter of Gur, who was considered sacred by the entire Jewish people, Mitnagdim alongside Chassidim. [No year indicated.]
The letter is addressed to one of the most special Chassidim of Gur, the gaon and Chassid Rabbi Ephraim Shraga Silverberg, referred to by the Beit Yisrael in his letter as “my dear friend.” He was a son of the gaon Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Silverberg, rabbi of Pittsburgh. The Beit Yisrael, who was known for his brevity while speaking, and even more so in writing, unusually doubled and redoubled his blessings here:
Children: “May Hashem help your daughters who are here. May all go smoothly, and may we hear only good tidings.”
Health: “Blessings for a complete recovery for your mother, the Rebbetzin, may she be well.”
Sustenance: “A good, happy year … May Hashem help in all matters for the good [regarding sustenance]”
According to the blessing for “a good and happy year” at the beginning of the letter, it can be understood that this letter was sent at the beginning of the year, in the days of segulah, the days of mercy and forgiveness. The Rebbe does not note the year on this letter, but from the blessing for recovery written by the Rebbe in the margins of the letter for the Pittsburgher Rebbetzin, the addressee’s mother, we can deduce that the date of the letter is prior to 1968, when the Rebbetzin passed away.
It is told that manuscripts of gedolei Yisrael , even just a signature, can be used as tried-and-true amulets for protection, healing and success. How much more so a letter handwritten and signed by the leading tzaddik of recent generations, who was considered sacred by the entire Jewish people, in all its factions, and who was known as a wonder-worker whose words were always fulfilled, who grants important blessings in this letter for children, health and sustenance.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Alter .
[1] leaf paper, 16×7 cm. Entirely handwritten and signed by the Beit Yisrael of Gur.
Very fine condition.
“May Hashem help your son experience a complete recovery. May He continue to watch over him. May you have much nachat from him and from the rest of your progeny”
Lengthy and beautiful letter, important and interesting, entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r of Gur, Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter. Jerusalem, 1965.
Alongside the Pnei Menachem’s important blessings for healing and success in his name and in the name of his older brother, the Beit Yisrael, one can observe the Pnei Menachem’s deep cheshbonot . He writes to the addressee that he did not tell the Sefat Emet yeshivah’s administration about the donation the addressee arranged for it, lest they ask why he turned to the Pnei Menachem at this time, and they discover the secret medical condition mentioned in the letter. The Pnei Menachem also writes that he burnt his letter [for the sake of discretion] immediately after showing it to the Beit Yisrael.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter .
[1] aerogram. 28 cm.
Very fine condition.
Rare and important sacred historic letter, [2 pp] entirely handwritten and signed in full by the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Kalish of Skiernivitz – one of the most prominent leading Admo”rim of Poland from the Pre-Holocaust era. Sent before the Holocaust to the Rebbe’s followers in the Land of Israel. Skiernivitz, 1936.
The letter was sent when heavy clouds were already darkening the skies over Europe, just a few years before the outbreak of the Holocaust. The Rebbe pleads with his Chassidim: “Mention me in your prayers at the sacred sites during the days preceding the upcoming Hoshana Rabba.” The Rebbe begins his letter by expressing his appreciation for the beautiful etrog sent to him from the Land of Israel, but also conveys his distress that it was not wrapped properly, and the pitom became detached along the way …
The entire length of the second page of the letter, from beginning to end, is filled with rare and important sacred blessings handwritten by the Rebbe himself, who blesses his Chassidim in the Land of Israel:
“I hereby bless you with a good, sweet new year, that Hashem accept our prayers with mercy and seal us in the book of good life, redemption and salvation. May Hashem soon gather our scattered people from the four corners of the Earth to the Holy Land … Warmly, With best wishes for your welfare, May you have a joyous holiday, Yisrael Yitzchak son of the Rebbe zllh”h … ”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak of Skiernivitz .
[1] sheet paper folded in two, 13×20 cm each. Entirely handwritten and signed by the Rebbe.
Fine condition. Small tear without lack.
Rare letter with important Chassidic content entirely handwritten, signed and stamped by the Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Yehudah Leib of Kuzmir, author of the Divrei Moshe [son of the Admo”r Rabbi Yerachmiel of Kuzmir, son of the Rebbe Rabbi Ephraim son of the dynasty’s patriarch, Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir]. The letter was sent to the renowned Chassid and close associate of the generation’s Admo”rim, Rabbi David Perkowitz of Jerusalem. Warsaw, 1933.
The letter is divided into two parts, and each is important in its own right. The first part of the letter is bibliographic, discussing the sefarim by three of the tzaddikim of the Kuzmir dynasty. The first is Nechmad MiZahav , by the progenitor of the dynasty, Rabbi Yechezkeleh of Kuzmir, whose grandson writes about him in this letter: “Nothing can be critiqued anywhere in this sefer .” The letter also mentions Imrei Tzvi by the Admo”r Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi of Kuzmir, the Rebbe’s father; and Divrei Moshe (refer to the photocopy), the subject of this letter. Regarding these sefarim , the Rebbe attests, “G-d willing, you will enjoy them very much”!
The second part of the letter is no less interesting and important, bearing rebuke for the addressee for not sending funds to his father, who is starving together with his family. The Rebbe, expressing both love and rebuke, reminds him that the mitzvah of honoring parents is like the mitzvah of tefillin and the rest of the mitzvahs. It is interesting to note that the letter’s addressee, the renowned Chassid Rabbi David Perkowitz, was known in his generation as a supporter of leading Admo”rim. Period literature bears letters attesting to this, alongside letters from important Admo”rim.
The letter begins and ends with blessings for livelihood, which are also a tremendous segulah coming from the pen of the Kuzmir Rebbe: “G-d willing, from the parashah ‘ V’Natnah HaAretz Yevulah’ an abundance of life, blessing and success … Your friend, who seeks your welfare, the small one, Moshe Yehudah [son of] the Rebbe of Kuzmir, ztzukllh”h.” Ten years later, the Rebbe was one of the first Jews in Poland to be martyred in the Treblinka crematoria.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Yehudah Leib Taub of Kuzmir .
[1] postal postcard, stamped and postmarked. 14 cm.
Very fine condition.
Lengthy letter of insights in Torah and Chassidut, handwritten by the sacred Rabbi Avraham Menachem Danziger, the Admo”r of Alexander. Bnei Brak, 1983. The letter was sent to his Chassid and includes divrei Torah delivered by the Admo”r on the night of Shabbat Chanukah.
[1] leaf paper. 17×25 cm. 34 lines in the Admo”r’s hand.
Very fine condition.
Beautiful letter with important Chassidic content loaded with sacred blessings from the sacred Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Menachem Danziger of Alexander, Imrei Menachem, to the pillar of Torah instruction, the author of Iggerot Moshe . Bnei Brak, 1977.
In his letter, the Rebbe asks the Iggerot Moshe about an avreich who frequented his home. It can be understood from this letter the subject was a talmid chacham , divorced and somewhat neglected. The Rebbe informs the Iggerot Moshe [in the name of the avreich’s father] that the neglect is not a result of financial difficulties, but lack of attention to the matter. As such, the rebbe asks the Iggerot Moshe, “Please influence him regarding all he is lacking, beginning with where he lives, and all that surrounds him, his needs and what he eats …” and, if possible, to see to the matter of a shidduch for him as well.
Rare and lengthy letter between two leaders of Jewry, Chassidim and (Yeshivish) Lithuanians. It is so fitting that the topic the two leaders of Chareidi Jewry discuss, one in the Land of Israel and one in “Babylon” is their true concern from the depths of their hearts – the physical and emotional health of a divorced Israeli man trying to make his way in America, and finding a shidduch for him!
The Alexander Rebbe concludes this important letter with sacred blessings for the head of the American exile, blessings that were obviously fulfilled, “May Hashem grant [you] long life. May you reach 120 years in goodness and pleasantness, and may your wellsprings burst forth, from a place of tranquility, physical health and good light. With Torah blessings, [your] friend, Avraham Menachem Danziger, son of the gaon, the Rebbe of Alexander, ztz”l.”
As an aside, and as an addition to this important letter, the Rebbe added Chassidic “Torah”about the importance of caring for the body and the soul, according to the Ramba”m in Hilchot De’ot . The Rebbe concludes the Torah with a promise: “And one who goes in this way for Hashem’s sake will be a servant of Hashem all his days.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Menachem Danziger .
[1] leaf, 21.5×27.5 cm. The Rebbe’s official stationery, scribal script, signed and stamped by the Rebbe.
Very fine condition. Fold marks.
Letter no. 1 from the Yanuka of Stolin – Blessing for wealth: “A person’s gift creates expansion for him” [see Rash”i]; Astonishing line: ‘ B’Ezrat Hashem , Jerusalem …’
Wondrous letter of blessings, rare and extraordinarily important from the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Perlow – the Yanuka of Stolin, one of the leading Admo”rim of all generations, who began to lead a community at the age of four and a half! When he was 13 years old, he received rabbinic ordination from gedolei hador . [Mid-1800s]. To the best of our examination, this letter has not been printed.
This letter was sent by the rebbe to the renowned Chassid, Rabbi Aharon HaLevi Kalmanov, who was in charge of the Karlin Kollel in Jerusalem. The rebbe expresses his appreciation for the sum of five pounds that Rabbi Kalmanov had sent to him, and blesses him with abundance, signing, “A person’s gift creates expansion for him, Yisrael son of Rabbi Asher.” This is a rare sacred amulet – a manuscript by the Yanuka of Stolin, who blesses him with expansion and wealth. ”
It is wondrous to read the words the Yanuka wrote at the beginning of the letter, ‘ B’Ezrat Hashem , Jerusalem …’ – as was traditionally written on letters coming from Jerusalem, yet most astonishing is that according to all historians of Chassidism, the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Perlow – the ‘Yanuka’ of Stolin, never even visited the Holy Land?!
Historians of Chassidut who heard about the letter offered several theories about this astonishing line, but came to no consensus. One of the possibilities raised was that it was known that near the end of his life, the Yanuka planned to ascend to the Land of Israel, but time ran out and he passed away while travelling to Frankfurt for medical care, and he was buried there. Said historian claimed that perhaps from the time the Rebbe planned to ascend to the Land, he signed his letters as if he was already there – but there is no other evidence for this.
[1] leaf paper, 11×14 cm.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains.
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Letter no. 2 from the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Elimelech of Karlin – Rare blessings for wealth: Success and great expansion, you will have the privilege of giving from pleasure and abundance … Avraham Elimelech son of the tzaddik … important topics.
Rare letter loaded with rare blessings for wealth and success entirely handwritten and signed by the most sacred Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Perlow of Karlin, one of the leading Admo”rim over the generations, and the only one who clearly foresaw the Holocaust with his Divine inspiration. Yamim Nora’im [undated].
Most of the Rebbe’s rare letters are actually written by the gabbai , yet this letter is entirely handwritten and signed by the Rebbe himself. This fact is especially important in that the letter itself is full of rare blessings for wealth, nachat , salvation, long life, to be sealed for the good, for a blessed year, for his prayers to be accepted, and more – a rare amulet handwritten by the tzaddik hador .
The sacred Rebbe whose blessings were always fulfilled grants rare blessings for wealth and success: “May Hashem help that words that come from the heart enter the heart and that we all merit together to see the salvation of the Jewish people … May [you] be blessed with a good year, much success and great expansion. May you have the privilege of giving from pleasure and abundance … [Your] friend, who blesses [you] to be inscribed and sealed immediately for the good, long life and all goodness, Avraham Elimelech son of the tzaddik …”
[1] leaf paper, 22×14 cm, on Rebbe’s official stationery.
Very fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the Admo”r Rabbi Yisrael Perlow of Karlin , and his son, the Admo”r Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Perlow of Karlin .
Letter of guidance from the Admo”r Rabbi Yochanan of Karlin, written by his daughter Feiga, who wrote it by his instruction.
Alongside detailed instructions for recovery, he writes about giving ma’aser to charity.
Note at the end of the letter that it was written by instruction from the Admo”r, shlit”a, and signed, “one of his Chassidim.” The person who signed the letter was actually his daughter Feiga, who for reasons of propriety, did not sign her own name, only “one of his Chassidim .” His daughter Feiga is the mother of the present Admo”r of Karlin shlit”a, and his brother, the Admo”r of Lutzk.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Yochanan Perlow of Karlin-Stolin and his daughter, Feiga .
[1] lined leaf, 15×22 cm.
Very fine condition.
Group of [3] important letters loaded with important spiritual and material blessings. The letters are addressed to the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Fink, av beit din of Haifa, on the occasion of his son Yosef Chaim’s bar mitzvah. Tel Aviv-New York, 1971.
Letter with tremendous blessings for “fruit” [children] on the segulah date of Tu BiShvat – the new year for trees, from the Admo”r Rabbi Mordechai Shalom Yosef Friedman of Sadigura, with his full signature using his name and the names of his fathers, and a rare addition of two words in his own penmanship. Tu BiShevat, 1971.
May he flourish like a rose, with roots as strong as Levanon, and be like a glorious olive with the smell of Levanon. May he fulfill the rabbi’s derashah ‘Young men among the Jewish people will emit a smell like Levanon.” And on the new year for the trees that produce trees … and may he merit years of good and peaceful life”
Letter of blessings for nachat from the children and for success from the Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Kapitshnitz, signed by him. New York, Sunday of parashat Yitro, 1971. Letters from him are rare.
“May Hashem grant that he rise ever upward in Torah and fear of Heaven. May you have much nachat from him. May we all share in the happy occasion of the arrival of Mashiach Tzikeinu.
Letter of important blessings for mazal , nachat from the children and their marriages, signed by the wondrous tzaddik, the Admo”r Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman of Bohosh. Tel Aviv, Sunday of parashat Yitro 1971.
“I will bless you from the depths of my heart with a mazal tov blessing. May Heaven grant that you see much nachat from him, to raise him to Torah, the wedding canopy and good deeds.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the Admo”r Rabbi Mordechai Shalom Yosef, author of Knesset Mordechai of Sadigura , the Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Heschel and the Admo”r of Bohosh, Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman .
Various sizes. Overall fine condition. [Fold marks. Aging stains. Tiny tears in the margins of the letter from the Admo”r of Kapitshnitz, far from the text].
“My son Aharon … is, Baruch Hashem, satisfied and studying diligently … In my opinion, it is worthwhile, from both the spiritual and material perspectives, that he continue to stay in the Land of Israel …”
One-of-a-kind Chassidic letter with especially important content. Entirely handwritten and signed by the wonder-worker, the Admo”r Rabbi Shimon Nattan Nota Biderman of Lelov, one of the leading Admo”rim of the previous generation. The letter is addressed to the Rebbe’s father [and mother], the most sacred wondrous Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Lelov. The two tzaddikim are corresponding here about the one who will eventually succeed them in the sacred dynasty! Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, 9 Nissan [no year indicated].
Some time after his wedding, the Admo”r Rashna”n of Lelov immigrated to the United States, where he established his beit midrash . He led this study hall until his father, Rama”m of Lelov, passed away in 1987. At that point, the Rashna”n was summoned to the Land of Israel by the Chassidim to succeed his sacred father. This letter indicates that the Rashna”n’s son, later his primary successor, Rabbi Aharon Biderman, stayed to study in the Holy Land, under the supervision of his sacred grandfather, Rama”m of Lelov; he did not travel with his father to America.
Alongside the historic-Chassidic value of this letter, which enfolds within it the most recent golden links of the glorious Lelov dynasty – the Rama”m of Lelov, his son and successor the Rashna”n of Lelov, and the latter’s son and successor, the Rebbe, shlit”a. It is worth noting the expressions used by the Rebbe, whose words never went unfulfilled, about his son and successor.
As is known, until his appointment as Admo”r, Rabbi Aharon Biderman centered his life in America, where he married and where all his children were born and lived, while his two brothers stayed with their father in the Land of Israel. However, when his sacred father passed away, the majority of the Chassidim appealed to him, and he ascended to the Land of Israel where he established his court in Beit Shemesh and led the Chassidut to become dominant and influential. In connection with this, the Rebbe’s words bear all the more significance: “In my opinion, it is worthwhile, from both the spiritual and material perspectives that he continue to stay in the Land of Israel”!
It is worth noting that manuscripts from the Admo”rim of the Lelov dynasty are especially rare. How much more so such a lengthy letter [over 160 words] in the relatively rare penmanship of the Rashna”n of Lelov, and with such important content, which enfolds within it the three most recent golden links of the glorious Lelov dynasty.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the addressee of this letter, Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Biderman , the writer, the latter’s son and successor the Admo”r Rabbi Shimon Nattan Nota Biderman and the subject of the letter, his son and successor, the Admo”r Rabbi Aharon Biderman .
[2] pp, 21 cm. The Rebbe’s official stationery, over 160 words handwritten and signed by the Rebbe.
Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks.
Very beautiful letter on the Rebbe’s stationery, entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Hager of Seret Vizhnitz, author of Chochmat Eliezer . The letter is addressed to the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Fink, with a personal request to examine one of the stellar students at the yeshivah. Ramat Vizhnitz, Haifah, 21 Sivan, 1970.
“My soul will cry clandestinely” – condolence letter in black ink on the rebbe’s stationery. Entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Hager of Seret Vizhnitz, author of Chochmat Eliezer . Ramat Vizhnitz, Haifah, 23 Elul, 1967.
“Copy of the requested letter of ordination”handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Hager of Seret Vizhnitz, author of Chochmat Eliezer , upon his appointment to the leadership, sent to the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Fink, av beit din of Haifa, about a letter of semichah for a young man from the yeshivah. [Ramat Vizhnitz, Haifah], 7 Sivan, 1965.
Letter from the Rebbe’s brother, the rosh yeshivah, the sacred gaon Rabbi Moshe Hager, son of the Admo”r Rabbi Baruch Hager of Seret-Vizhnitz and author of Birkat Moshe . The letter is addressed to the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Fink. It contains a request for rabbinic ordination for one of the finest scholars at the yeshivah [later one of the rabbis of the Vizhnitz community in Haifah]. Ramat Vizhnitz, Haifah, 8 Menachem Av, 1973.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Hager and of the rosh yeshivah, Rabbi Moshe Hager .
[4] letters, various sizes.
Overall very fine condition.
“The numerical value of my sacred father’s name … sweetening the din and being sealed for the good, healing and salvation for the entire Jewish people”
Especially sacred writing unlike any other ever seen, with hidden Kabbalistic and Chassidic chiddushim never before printed, combined in a unique way, alongside gematrias of pesukim and sacred Names, as well as gematrias of the names of tzaddikim of the Vizhnitz dynasty. The letter is entirely [approximately 170 words] handwritten by the Admo”r Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager of Vizhnitz. Shikun Vizhnitz, Bnei Brak, the eve of Yom Kippur, 1985.
The letter includes the most concealed Kabbalistic Torot and the gematrias of the verse “Aharon shall sacrifice his chatat bull and atone for himself and for his entire household” – the service of the kohen gadol on Yom Kippur. Some of the insights are printed in the sefer Yeshuot Moshe [ parashat Acharei Mot] on the above verse, but the Vizhnitz aspect of the Torah, in which the Rebbe combines Kabbalistic Torah and the gematria of his father’s name – the author of Imrei Chaim – disappeared from the Rebbe’s sefer , and appears only in the manuscript.
Alongside the letter’s Chassidic importance in its unique and important never-printed content, is its incomparable segulah value, even more than other letters the Rebbe wrote. Manuscripts by tzaddikim over the generations, especially their signatures, are known to have been used as tried-and-true amulets for all matters. How much more so does this letter comprise a true amulet, with deep Kabbalistic Torot , gematrias , sacred Names, and huge, explicit blessings for healing and salvation and sweetening the din , handwritten by the Yeshuot Moshe himself, who wrote them on the day of the year with the most segulah – the eve of Yom Kippur.
Is it possible to sufficiently describe the lofty moments on the eve of Yom Kippur by the Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz, when his congregation looks up to him pleading to influence mighty salvations for them. From all corners of the Earth, they appeal to him for his blessings to be inscribed and sealed for the good. The day the Rebbe dresses in the sacred garb inherited from his ancestors – the Ahavat Shalom’s kittel , and the Rebbe of Apta’s kippah. During that sacred day, in which each minute is measured like gold, the Yeshuot Moshe took his gevil and quill and quarried deep Torot on matters related to the hour, on the verse “Aharon shall sacrifice his chatat bull and atone for himself and for his entire household” and enacted salvations for the Jewish people.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Rebbe Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager of Vizhnitz .
[1] leaf paper, 21×27 cm. The Admo”r’s personal stationery, entirely [approximately 170 words] handwritten by the Rebbe.
Very fine condition. Fold marks.
