A youth can be recognized by his deeds
Incomparably important Chassidic letter from the Pri Etz Chaim, the youth Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinowitz, later the Admo”r of Munkacs – one of the leading Admo”rim of our generation, to his teacher and rabbi, the rosh yeshivah of Telz, the gaon Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin. Elul 1956.
Letters from the Munkacher Rebbe are extremely rare, and such an early letter with this type of content, on this stationery (see below) – is certainly the only one of its kind in the world!
There is a question always asked about rabbinic leaders – was it already possible to see in their youth that they were destined for greatness? And, what were they like in their early years, and how did they merit their spiritual levels? This fascinating letter opens a rare window to the spiritual routine of one of the Chassidic leaders in the United States, while yet a young man about fifteen years old.
This letter gives us a rare, unmediated glimpse into the most intimate conversation imaginable – a candid conversation of a student with his rosh yeshivah about his spiritual progress! The Rebbe relates in detail about the progress of his study: “I study every day for a few hours, but not “Perek HaShoel.” I always arrange in-depth study … Every Shabbat with some Jews who are Talmidei Chachamim , and also every Sunday with my sacred father, shlit”a.”
In this letter, we are exposed to the regal mannerism of the prince of the Munkacs kingdom – the fifteen-year-old youth, who writes like an old and venerable person to the elderly rosh yeshivah: “I was very happy to hear that his honor and his entire family feel healthy and well” and he concludes his letter by blessing like an experienced Admo”r: “[We][!] hereby bless [you] to be inscribed and sealed for the good, and may it be His will that the upcoming year be good and blessed, and a year of the ingathering of the exiles.”
There is an additional important historic detail that should be highlighted. As is known, the Munkacher Rebbe’s father, who was about to be appointed as the zealous Admo”r of Munkacs, changed his stripes and became Zionist. The Chassidim could obviously not accept this, and deposed him from the status of Admo”r, – In this rare letter, the Admo”r mentions his father with terms of respect, and relates that he studies gemara with him. This, and more – the letter is entirely written on the Admo”r’s official stationery – the one later banned and referred to as “HaRebbe, Yemach Shemo, ” during his very short stint as Admo”r of Munkacs.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Moshe Yehudah Leib Rabinowitz of Munkacs, shlit”a .
[1] leaf paper, official stationery of his father’s. 26 cm. Confirmation of receipt handwritten and signed by the gaon Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin.
Very fine condition. Fold marks. Small tear in one corner, far from the text. Minimal aging stains.