Printed invitation to the wedding of Rabbi Elimelech, son of the Admo”r of Piacenza, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira, author of Chovot HaTalmidim . On the back of the invitation (on a separate page), there is a very lengthy inscription [15 lines] handwritten and signed by the pure wife of the Chovot HaTalmidim, Rebbetzin Rachel Chayah Miriam, daughter of the Admo”r Rabbi Yerachmiel of Kozhnitz. Warsaw, 1926.
The invitation, as mentioned, is for the wedding of the bridegroom Rabbi Elimelech, only son of the Chovot HaTalmidim, who was named for his grandfather, Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzhinsk. He married Gittel, daughter of the Admo”r Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Perlow of Bulchov. Heartbreakingly, the bridegroom was murdered in the terrible Holocaust, during the festival of Sukkot. People who were with the Admo”r when he was informed of his son’s passing, attested that he did not shed a tear, and said, “It is a holiday today, and we must be joyous.” Only after the festival ended did he break out in bitter weeping.
The Chovat HaTalmidim blesses rare blessings with abundance: “And my honorable father [the Admo”r Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzhisk] … together with my father-in-law [the Admo”r Rabbi Yerachmiel of Kozhnitz] … ztzll”h together with our forebears influence … good salvations and profuse blessings, physical and spiritual … from one who loves you … Kalonymus Kalmish. There is a lengthy and interesting letter in Hebrew and in Yiddish on the right side of the invitation, written and signed by the Rebbetzin.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira .
[1] leaf divided into two leaves, each of which is 22×14 cm. On the first leaf is a printed invitation, and on the second, the Rebbetzin’s letter. Fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks, tiny tears in the folds.