“This is certainly a great merit to experience salvation through being written and sealed for a good, blessed year” (As written in the very hand of the Admo”r of Porisov)
Beautiful letter [approximately 75 words], entirely handwritten and signed by the Admo”r Rabbi Ya’akov Tzvi Rabinowitz of Porisov, author of Atarah L’Rosh Tzaddik (son of the rebbe, Rabbi Yehoshua Asher of Porisv, son of the Yehudi HaKadosh of Peshischa). In themargins of the letter, there are and additional two lines [about 20 words] handwritten andsigned by theAdmo”r Rabbi Pinchas Menachem of Piltz, author of Siftei Tzaddik (maternal grandson of the Chiddushei HaRi”m). 22 Elul, 1885. To the best of our examination, it has never been published.
Letters from the Admo”r of Porisov are exceptionally rare, and to the best of our examination, they have not been offered at auction. This letter is even more rare, as two of the most prominent Admo”rim of their generation appear in it together.
In the letter, the rebbe of Porisov requests support for a Jew of sacred lineage: “His father was a renowned tzaddik.” To preserve the honor of the recipient, his name is intentionally not explicitly stated (the Admo”r refers to his as “the present one”). The sacred Admo”rim beg generous donors: “Please draw him close and support him at every opportunity, and buy sefarim kedoshim from him” (as is known, the best tzeddakah is paying a high price for merchandise from a poor person, so that he is not ashamed).
The Rebbe of Porisov concludes his letter with a rare blessing for the upcoming year: “This is certainly a great merit to experience salvation through being written and sealed for a good, blessed year, most sincerely, Ya’akov Tzvi of Porisov.” The Admo”r of Piltz added to the letter ” I also send regards, and request that [you] have mercy on our friend, the bearer of this letter, to draw him close, because he is very depressed, may Hashem have mercy. Pinchas Menachem of Gur.”
The addressee is Rabbi Alter Menachem Kalonymus, a Chassid of Karlin in Jerusalem, who printed the sefer Tikkunei HaZohar with the commentary by the maggid of Kozhnitz (Jerusalem, 1883), who received, inter alia, the important approbation from the above Admo”r of Porisov. Rabbi Alter, who according to testimony from his descendants, was considered “a wonder-worker and a lofty tzaddik.” He was an in-law of the Admo”r Rabbi David Tzvi Shlomo Biderman of Lelov, and patriarch of the Yerushalmi Weinstock family.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the Admo”r Rabbi Tzvi Rabinowitz and the Admo”r Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Elazar Justman .
[1] leaf paper, approximately 15.5×10 cm. Approximately 100 words handwritten by leading Admo”rim.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Light tears and blemishes, with damage to single words. Aging stains. The letter has been artistically restored.