Letter from Admor Dovid Twersky of Zlatopol. [1896?].
Specifications: [1] leaf, 13×22 cm. Signed by the Admor.
Content: The letter was sent to Rabbi Moshe Nachum Yerushalamski, the noted posek who was rabbi in Kaminka, near Kiev – near the Admors of Chernobyl. The letter was written in Rachmastrivka during the first year after the death of his father, Rabbi Yochanan of Rachmastrivka.
Unique features: He writes that he would like to clarify about a certain person if he is honest, and he writes his opinion about him, and concludes, “to celebrate Passover in kashrut and health…”
Background: Rabbi Dovid Twersky was the eldest son of Rabbi Mordechai of Rachmastrivka, who was the son of the Maggid of Chernobyl. He was born in 1837 and was the son-in-law of Rabbi Aharon of Karlin [the second]. He served as Admor in Zlatopol and had many chassidim. He was noted for his many fasts and self-affliction. He took his nephew as a son-in-law, Rabbi Yisrael of Stolin. He passed away in 1915.
Refer to: Alfasi, Chassidut , 1, 469.
Condition: Very fine. Fold marks. Minimal aging stains.
Torah novellae in the handwriting of the Rebbe Rabbi Mordechai Dov o f Hornosteipel.
Specifications: [1] leaf written on both sides, 13×21 cm. Autograph with erasures and corrections.
Unique Features: Torah novellae in the handwriting of the Rebbe Rabbi Mordechai Dov of Hornosteipel, with corrections and additions. These Torah thoughts were printed in his book Turei Zahav on the laws of interest siman 168-169.
Rabbi Mordechai Dov Twersky was born in 1839. He was a descendant of Rabbi Zusha of Hanipol, the Ba’al HaTanya, Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and others. He was orphaned as a child and brought up by his grandfather, the Rebbe Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy. At the age of 13, the Rebbe the ‘Divrei Chaim’ of Sanz chose him as a bridegroom for his daughter Reitza. He began to serve as Rebbe of Hornosteipel from a young age. He was known for his genius and as a definitive halachic ruler. He corresponded in responsa with the great sages of his generation: his father-in-law the Divrei Chaim, Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin, Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, Rabbi Yitzchak Itinga of Lvov and others. He authored the book Chibur L’Tahara on the laws of mikva which was printed anonymously, Turei Zahav on the laws of interest, the responsa Emek She’ela , and the book Emek Chochma on the Torah. He died in 1903. For more information about him: Alfasi, Chassidut, 3 230-231.
Condition: Fine – very fine. Tiny tears with damage to only one letter.
Letter from Admor Menachem Nachum Twersky of Tolna sent to Rabbi Moshe Nachum Yerushalamski. Tolna, 1892 [?].
Specifications: [1] leaf, graph paper. 13×21 cm. With his holy signature.
Content: Thank-you letter upon receipt of his work. He adds that he accedes to his request that the work should be kept on his desk, “my desk which is before Hashem.”
Background: Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Tolna was the son of Rabbi Mordechai who was the son of Rabbi Dovid of Tolna. His father passed away during Rabbi Dovid’s life, and he was appointed to succeed his grandfather Rabbi Dovid, when he was only thirteen years old (!). He was appointed Admor with the blessing of his great-uncle Rabbi Yochanan of Rachmastrivka. He passed away in Kiev in 1915. His Torah and biography are printed in Matmonei Menachem Nachum . Rabbi Moshe Nachum Yerushalamski (1855-1916) was a halachic decider, noted for his many responses. He served as rabbi in Kaminka, near Kiev; then as rabbi of Ostrolenka, a suburb of Lomza; and in 1902, as Rabbi of Kielce. He was a prolific author and was active in communal affairs. He was a chassid of Rabbi Dovid of Tolna, after whose death he became a chassid of his grandson, Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Tolna, who was younger than him.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. Fold marks. Tiny tear in the blank margins.
Letter from Rabbi Mordechai Twersky of Rachmastrivka, c. 1880.
Specifications: [1] leaf, 13×21 cm. All in his handwriting and with his signature.
Background: Rabbi Mordechai [Mottele] Twersky was born in 1840. His father was Admor Yochanan of Rachmastrivka, who was the son of the Maggid of Chernobyl. In his second marriage, he became the son-in-law of his uncle, Admor Dovid of Tolna. Even during his father’s life, many chassidim were drawn to him. In [1906], he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Jerusalem. He was the first Chernobyl scion to immigrate to Eretz Yisrael and many chassidim from Jerusalem gathered to his court. He was wounded in the riots of 1920, on his way back from the kotel, and died from his wounds.
Condition: Very fine. Minimal aging stains.
