Sacred letter with important community content, entirely [over 100 words] handwritten and signed in full by the Admo”r Rabbi Eliezer Zusha Portugal of Skulen. The letter deals with the establishment of Torah institutions for children from weak families, to whom the tzaddik was very devoted, as is well-known. Brooklyn, New York, Thursday of Parashat VaYera , 1970.
The letter was written for the gaon and Chassid Rabbi Avraham Michael [Halperin], av beit din of Atlit, who desired to establish Torah institutions for local children. For the Skulener rebbe, the issue of pure education was especially precious. While other Admo”rim established schools for the children in their own communities, the Skulener Rebbe went much further and established institutions in remote communities for people who were spiritually distant in order to bring their children closer to Torah.
This letter symbolizes the spark in his heart “di pintel fun di hartz” of the sacred rebbe – the pure education of Jewish children, and at the same time, their material well-being, writing as follows: “So the children not fall into the hands of the network of ‘free’ education … a Torah institution is very necessary, along with food, drink and accommodations – in the spirit of Avraham Avinu.”
The sacred Rebbe blesses the donors with abundance, beginning from the date at the top of the letter: “I shall surely bless”; “A life of blessing and peace”; “May ‘it be a tree of life for all who cling to it’ be fulfilled for you, HaK’ Eliezer Zusha, son of the gaon and tzaddik R’ Y. A. ztz”l Portugal.”
Manuscripts by tzaddikim over the generations are known to have been used as tried-and-true amulets for all matters. This letter qualifies especially, as it is a general letter, designated for anyone [not someone specific] and it is full of blessings handwritten and signed in full by the rebbe himself.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Rebbe Rabbi Eliezer Zusha Portugal of Skulen .
[1] leaf paper, 21×14 cm. Personal stationery of the Rebbe, written entirely in his hand.
Fine condition. Fold marks and creases. Professionally restored tear. Old adhesive marks.