Recommendation letter from Admor Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar for a fundraiser who visited the United States on behalf of the Shomrei Emunim Yeshiva of Admor Ahron Roth, which was suffering financial difficulties. New York, [1948].
Specifications: [1] letterhead, with printed text [Hebrew]: Yoel Teitelbaum Av Beit Din Satmar and environs in the holy city of Jerusalem, now in Brooklyn, New York.” 28×21 cm. The date is noted in the margin: [1948]. With the addition of two lines in his handwriting and with his signature.
Unique Features: Recommendation letter for a fundraiser for the Shomrei Emunim Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The Admor praises the yeshiva and its students who study “kifi derech yisrael saba” – the ancient traditions of Israel – and blesses the donors. During this era, just a little bit after the Admor left Jerusalem, there was some tension between the Admor and a few factions associated with the Eidah HaCharedit, which highlights the significance of this letter. The Admor writes: “A mitzvah emissary from the prominent Shomrei Emunim yeshiva in Jerusalem… where they study Torah with purity and adhere to the Torah and avoda in the manner of the ancient traditions of Israel with extra care.” This letter, written within a year of Rabbi Ahron Roth’s death, expresses the Admor’s support for the Shomrei Emunim chassidut and apparently refutes the rumors that claimed that the Admor was critical of their system and was unhappy with the leadership of Rabbi Ahron Roth, founder of the Shomrei Emunim chassidut.
Background: Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar [1887-1979] was the son of the “Kedushat Yom Tov” and younger brother of the “Atzei Chaim”. He took over his father’s position as chassidic leader. He was the first Admor of Satmar. He was noted for his greatness before the Holocaust. His father died when he was just seventeen-years-old, but the chassidim were still interested in his leadership and began concentrating around him. He served as rabbi in prominent communities for over seventy years. He survived the Holocaust in wondrous ways, immigrated to Palestine, and then moved to the United States where he helped reestablish the chassidic world. He elevated chassidut which had lost most of its followers during the war and cultivated the dormant spirituality of the survivors. He worked tirelessly to found Torah institutions and restore Jewry after the great destruction. He was noted for his zealous viewpoint and his opposition to Zionism. He authored Vayoel Moshe, Imrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel and more.
Condition: Moderate. Tears and stains – affecting a number of words.