This is the blessing blessed by Moshe, Man of G-d, before his death
Beautiful letter, important and rare, signed by the leading Admo”r of Romania, Rabbi Yisrael Hager, author of Ahavat Yisrael of Vizhnitz, to the gaon Rabbi Meshulam Roth, av beit din of Chernowitz. Grosswardein, Thursday Parashat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim [15 Iyyar], 1936. The Admo”r’s personal stamp: “Yisrael, son of the tzaddik, the rabbi of Vizhnitz.”
At the beginning of the letter, the Ahavat Yisrael blesses the gaon Rabbi Meshulam Roth with a Mazal Tov on the occasion of his appointment to “the crown of the rabbinate in Chernowitz.” The G-dly rebbe blesses tremendous rabbinic blessings in his final days: “I therefore bless you that you merit to sit in tranquility in the tent of Torah, on your “throne, ” for many days and years and with all goodness … the small one, Yisrael, son of the tzaddik, the rabbi ztzllh”h.”
Later on, along the length of most of the letter, the sacred rabbi implores Rabbi Meshulam Roth to find a position in the community for “the Chassid, Rabbi Menachem Dov Miller, who is presently without a source of livelihood.” The rabbi pleads and speaks of the subject’s virtues, “an honest man, he will do his work faithfully … and in these times, it is hard to find such a person.”
This letter was written by the Ahavat Yisrael during his final days, just before he ascended to Heaven, on 2 Sivan that same year. It is one of the last letters he wrote in his lifetime (possibly even the very last). The Rebbe, who was unwell with his final illness, girds himself and makes the effort from his sickbed, to do a favor for a Jew, and more, as if he was sitting serenely on a lawn with all the time in the world. It is so symbolic of the sacred rebbe, whose days were filled with ‘Ahavat Yisrael.’
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r of Vizhnitz, the author of Ahavat Yisrael .
[1] double leaf. 22.5×14.5 cm. In the gabbai ‘s script, signed by the Admo”r. Very fine condition. Fold marks, several aging stains.