Historic letter, unique and beautiful, from the leaders of the community in Budapest, capital of Hungary, with blessings and good wishes for their compatriot, the
ga’ava”d of Jerusalem, the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld –
mara d’ara Yisrael “upon reaching the age of eighty in good health.” Budapest, 1929.
In their letter, the heads of the Orthodox community point out Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld’s tremendous influence on people abroad as well, “[Your] reach extends not only over the holy city and the Holy Land, but also over all our brethren who reside abroad; all of whom benefit from the light of [your] Torah and the breadth of [your] wisdom.” They conclude with a blessing, “May you flourish in [your] old age for generations, amen, may it be His will.” The certificate is signed by the heads of the community, Rabbi Avraham Friedigger, grandson of the Ktav Sofer, and the community’s scribe and trustee, Rabbi Yedidyah Tzvi HaLevi Laufler.
Aside from this certificate’s historic value, it is an important as an item that belonged to a gaon and tzaddik of the generations – a certificate of appreciation that was certainly especially beloved to the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld as a memento of love from the days of his youth in Hungary.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of
the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld , the first
signatory, Rabbi Avraham Freidigger and Rabbi Yedidyah Tzvi HaLevi Laufler-Sofer .
[1] double leaf paper. 21×34 cm. Written on both sides. Typewritten certificate with a decorative border. Signatures of leaders and trustees of the community, with the community stamp, on the back of the certificate.
Very fine condition. Filing perforations. Tiny tears in margins of the folds, without blemishes or lack.