To sit in the shelter of wisdom is to sit in the shelter of money
Group of [3] lengthy and fascinating letters on intimate family matters and more from the great philanthropist R’ Shemayah [Samuel] Reichmann – patriarch of the famous family of philanthropists and the brain behind the creation of the family’s enormous fortune – estimated at its height to be the fourth largest in the world. Tangier (northern Morocco). [C, 1940s-50s]. Hebrew and English.
Two of the letters are addressed to Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin, his young son’s rosh yeshivah [probably Isaac-Ralph]. The letters discuss a shidduch suggestion for his son. The name of the potential bride is mentioned in the letter; we don’t know if this shidduch transpired in the end.
Unlike the ways of the wealthy who seek to do shidduchim with other wealthy families, Rabbi Shemayah specifically shows interest in his letters in the extent of the fear of Heaven and Torah study of the potential in-law, and not at all in his financial situation. It is worth noting that without the letterhead, it would be entirely possible to think that the letter-writer was an important rabbi and not a businessman – this is what gvirim looked like in the previous generation. His sons followed in his ways and during certain periods sustained the entire Torah world in the Land of Israel.
The third letter is typewritten with R’ Shemayah’s signature, and it contains a recommendation for the yeshivah’s emissary in Cleveland and a request for a donation. Rabbi Shemayah notes that he himself made a significant contribution. One of the letters mentions his son Moshe (Paul), later a legendary tycoon.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Reichmann family, one of the wealthiest Jewish families in the world .
[3] letters, 27.5 cm. Official stationery.
Overall fine-very fine condition. Fold marks and slight tears. One of the letters has small perforations in the signature due to ink smudges.