“HaKadosh Baruch Hu would cry out, saying: Who will arise for me against evildoers; who will stand on my behalf among sinners”?
Beautiful condolence letter upon the passing of the righteous Moshe Montefiore from the gaon Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Wallerstein, av beit din of Risha and author of Kerem Yehoshua . The letter is addressed to Dr. Eliezer HaLevi, Montefiore’s personal secretary and executor of his estate. Elul, 1885. Especially lengthy letter covering two large pages.
The letter was sent during Moshe Montefiore’s sheloshim period of mourning. In the first part of the letter, the av beit din of Risha shares a fascinating first-hand account from the period in which it took place, how the Jewish world became aware of the righteous Sir Moshe Montefiore’s passing, especially in the Risha district, on the Poland-Galacia border. The av beit din of Risha describes the eulogy delivered in the central synagogue there in great detail, and how it was followed by the cantor accompanied by a choir ascending the bimah and arousing tears from the eyes of our Jewish brethren.
An interesting detail emerges from the second part of the letter regarding Montefiore’s will, in which he bequeathed a specific sum to “relatives, scions of his roots.” The av beit din of Risha attests that with this, the Mantel family of Risha, relatives of Montefiore’s, with direct personal testimony to the fact … that they are relatives of Montefiore’s.” The av beit din of Risha also attests about himself, that his grandfather, the gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Hirsch [Tzvi] Blumenfeld, av beit din of Risha, would receive regular donations from Montefiore for the aforementioned family.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Yehudah Heschel Wallerstein .
[1] double sheet paper, 29 cm each. [Two written pages.] Entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Wallerstein, with his official stamp (twice).
Moderate-fine condition. Tears in the margins, without lack.