Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
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Displaying 97 - 108 of 128
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $5,750
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (the first), author of Yesod HaAvodah, including a section of a Chassidic essay which he sent his Chassidim. [Slonim, Elul 1871].
First leaf of a double leaf. Part of a lengthy letter (presumably several pages long) which the rebbe sent to his Chassidim in Tiberias, comprising a personal letter, with regards and blessings, and a lengthy and profound Chassidic essay on Kabbalah and worship of G-d. The first page contains the personal letter which preceded the Chassidic essay, with two signatures of the rebbe, once his full signature (with the name of his father), and once "Avraham" alone.
The letter with the essay was sent to Slonim Chassidim in Tiberias, and to the three heads of Kollel Reisin in Tiberias: R. Mordechai of Vileyka, R. Menachem Mendel Epstein of Minsk and R. Shmuel Shemaya HaKohen Katz of Slonim.
In the personal letter on the first page, the rebbe extends blessings and regards to his relatives and friends in Tiberias: to his brother-in-law R. Elchanan Isser; to his sister Esther Shprintza; to his sister's son-in-law "beloved man of desirable qualities" – R. Mordechai Lieder – "R. Motke"; to R. Yitzchak (presumably referring to the son of R. Elchanan from his first marriage); to R. Aharon Shmuel of Vileyka (brother of R. Mordechai of Vileyka), and to the "brilliant son-in-law" of R. Aharon Shmuel – R. Todros; to his grandson "the young, talented and outstanding Torah scholar" – R. Noach Weinberg (son of his son R. Michel Aharon, father of the Birkat Avraham).
In his letter, the rebbe blesses his sister Esther Shprintza and her husband (from her second marriage) – his brother-in-law R. Elchanan Isser "may G-d remember them in this coming year with offspring… and may He bless them once again with an abundant measure of good" (regarding the background of this blessing, see enclosed material).
The rebbe adds further blessings: "A good inscription and sealing in the book of Tzaddikim, and wellbeing of all his family members"; " May G-d bless you and guard you from any harm, and grant you a good inscription and sealing, and may you succeed wherever you turn".
At the end of the page, the rebbe writes words of ethics and encouragement to his grandson R. Noach: "Fear G-d, my son, and subjugate the bad inclination to the good inclination, and be watchful of the purity of thought and character, and remember the saying of the sages, that one who comes to purify himself receives Heavenly assistance, and one who sanctifies himself below, is sanctified from above. An eye sees and an ear hears one who strives with all his might to grow in fear of G-d and service of the heart. Your grandfather, Avraham".
On verso of the letter is a section of a profound essay on Kabbalah and Chassidut (this page comprises the lower half of the large first page of a multi-page essay). In this essay, the rebbe explains the Chassidic approach to worship of G-d through the kabbalistic concept of Taamim, Nekudot, Tagim and Otiyot. This essay was published in the letters section of Yesod HaAvodah, letter 68.
The personal letter was not printed there, and it was presumably never published.
(In the printed essay, the publisher was unsure of how to decipher one word, and he suggested various possibilities in a marginal note. In this original letter, the correct word is easily identifiable – and it is not one of the options suggested by the publisher).
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg, first rebbe of Slonim, author of Yesod HaAvodah (1803-1883), a brilliant and holy kabbalist, and an original and innovative scholar. He was a close disciple of his teachers, Rebbe Noach of Lechovitz and R. Moshe of Kobryn. In the 1830s, he headed the Anaf Etz Chaim yeshiva in his hometown of Slonim, a branch of the renowned Etz Chaim yeshiva in Volozhin (Moshe Tzinovitz, Etz Chaim, p. 433; Aharon Surasky, Marbitzei Torah MeOlam HaChassidut, I, pp. 177, 183-186). He would devote all his strength to Torah study, studying for eighteen hours a day until absolute exhaustion. In his youth, he studied Torah under extreme deprivation. In his old age, when one of his disciples remarked that one can discern on him revelations of Divine Inspiration, he replied: "I don't know about Divine Inspiration, but I did study Torah under deprivation, and the sages state that whoever studies Torah under deprivation will be satiated from the splendor of the Divine presence". After the passing of his teacher, R. Moshe of Kobryn, in Nissan 1858, he established his court in Slonim, and most of the Kobryn Chassidim accepted his authority and began frequenting his court. He would conduct Tish not only on Shabbat and festivals, but also on weekdays. Like an ever-flowing wellspring, he delivered many extremely profound Chassidic discourses, and produced many compositions on all parts of the Torah (most were lost during the Holocaust). Some of his writings were published after his passing. His renowned books are Chessed LeAvraham, a profound, very abstract and impenetrable book on Kabbalah and philosophy; Yesod HaAvodah – on the topic of studying Torah for the sake of Heaven and Chassidic principles on the worship of G-d (in this book, he sharply criticizes the book Nefesh HaChaim by R. Chaim of Volozhin, primarily on his views on the study of Torah for the sake of Heaven; the original manuscript of this work reputedly states several times "contrary to the Nefesh HaChaim"); Be'er Avraham on Mechilta. After the Holocaust, his writings were published in additional volumes of Chessed LeAvraham and Be'er Avraham.
In 1870-1874, the Yesod HaAvodah sent an elite group of young, select disciples, including several grandsons and relatives, to Tiberias. This group was named Kollel Reisin, and the rebbe arranged fixed annual fundraising and trips of emissaries so that the members of the Kollel be free to fulfill their mission of studying Torah and worshipping G-d in peace and serenity. The rebbe corresponded continuously with this group on profound topics of Chassidut and worship of G-d. Some of these letters (such as the present letter) were printed after his passing in his book Yesod HaAvodah (in the letters section), as well as at the end of the book Be'er Avraham on the Torah.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Marginal tears and folding marks, affecting text, professionally restored with paper. Ink faded. Some words illegible.
First leaf of a double leaf. Part of a lengthy letter (presumably several pages long) which the rebbe sent to his Chassidim in Tiberias, comprising a personal letter, with regards and blessings, and a lengthy and profound Chassidic essay on Kabbalah and worship of G-d. The first page contains the personal letter which preceded the Chassidic essay, with two signatures of the rebbe, once his full signature (with the name of his father), and once "Avraham" alone.
The letter with the essay was sent to Slonim Chassidim in Tiberias, and to the three heads of Kollel Reisin in Tiberias: R. Mordechai of Vileyka, R. Menachem Mendel Epstein of Minsk and R. Shmuel Shemaya HaKohen Katz of Slonim.
In the personal letter on the first page, the rebbe extends blessings and regards to his relatives and friends in Tiberias: to his brother-in-law R. Elchanan Isser; to his sister Esther Shprintza; to his sister's son-in-law "beloved man of desirable qualities" – R. Mordechai Lieder – "R. Motke"; to R. Yitzchak (presumably referring to the son of R. Elchanan from his first marriage); to R. Aharon Shmuel of Vileyka (brother of R. Mordechai of Vileyka), and to the "brilliant son-in-law" of R. Aharon Shmuel – R. Todros; to his grandson "the young, talented and outstanding Torah scholar" – R. Noach Weinberg (son of his son R. Michel Aharon, father of the Birkat Avraham).
In his letter, the rebbe blesses his sister Esther Shprintza and her husband (from her second marriage) – his brother-in-law R. Elchanan Isser "may G-d remember them in this coming year with offspring… and may He bless them once again with an abundant measure of good" (regarding the background of this blessing, see enclosed material).
The rebbe adds further blessings: "A good inscription and sealing in the book of Tzaddikim, and wellbeing of all his family members"; " May G-d bless you and guard you from any harm, and grant you a good inscription and sealing, and may you succeed wherever you turn".
At the end of the page, the rebbe writes words of ethics and encouragement to his grandson R. Noach: "Fear G-d, my son, and subjugate the bad inclination to the good inclination, and be watchful of the purity of thought and character, and remember the saying of the sages, that one who comes to purify himself receives Heavenly assistance, and one who sanctifies himself below, is sanctified from above. An eye sees and an ear hears one who strives with all his might to grow in fear of G-d and service of the heart. Your grandfather, Avraham".
On verso of the letter is a section of a profound essay on Kabbalah and Chassidut (this page comprises the lower half of the large first page of a multi-page essay). In this essay, the rebbe explains the Chassidic approach to worship of G-d through the kabbalistic concept of Taamim, Nekudot, Tagim and Otiyot. This essay was published in the letters section of Yesod HaAvodah, letter 68.
The personal letter was not printed there, and it was presumably never published.
(In the printed essay, the publisher was unsure of how to decipher one word, and he suggested various possibilities in a marginal note. In this original letter, the correct word is easily identifiable – and it is not one of the options suggested by the publisher).
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg, first rebbe of Slonim, author of Yesod HaAvodah (1803-1883), a brilliant and holy kabbalist, and an original and innovative scholar. He was a close disciple of his teachers, Rebbe Noach of Lechovitz and R. Moshe of Kobryn. In the 1830s, he headed the Anaf Etz Chaim yeshiva in his hometown of Slonim, a branch of the renowned Etz Chaim yeshiva in Volozhin (Moshe Tzinovitz, Etz Chaim, p. 433; Aharon Surasky, Marbitzei Torah MeOlam HaChassidut, I, pp. 177, 183-186). He would devote all his strength to Torah study, studying for eighteen hours a day until absolute exhaustion. In his youth, he studied Torah under extreme deprivation. In his old age, when one of his disciples remarked that one can discern on him revelations of Divine Inspiration, he replied: "I don't know about Divine Inspiration, but I did study Torah under deprivation, and the sages state that whoever studies Torah under deprivation will be satiated from the splendor of the Divine presence". After the passing of his teacher, R. Moshe of Kobryn, in Nissan 1858, he established his court in Slonim, and most of the Kobryn Chassidim accepted his authority and began frequenting his court. He would conduct Tish not only on Shabbat and festivals, but also on weekdays. Like an ever-flowing wellspring, he delivered many extremely profound Chassidic discourses, and produced many compositions on all parts of the Torah (most were lost during the Holocaust). Some of his writings were published after his passing. His renowned books are Chessed LeAvraham, a profound, very abstract and impenetrable book on Kabbalah and philosophy; Yesod HaAvodah – on the topic of studying Torah for the sake of Heaven and Chassidic principles on the worship of G-d (in this book, he sharply criticizes the book Nefesh HaChaim by R. Chaim of Volozhin, primarily on his views on the study of Torah for the sake of Heaven; the original manuscript of this work reputedly states several times "contrary to the Nefesh HaChaim"); Be'er Avraham on Mechilta. After the Holocaust, his writings were published in additional volumes of Chessed LeAvraham and Be'er Avraham.
In 1870-1874, the Yesod HaAvodah sent an elite group of young, select disciples, including several grandsons and relatives, to Tiberias. This group was named Kollel Reisin, and the rebbe arranged fixed annual fundraising and trips of emissaries so that the members of the Kollel be free to fulfill their mission of studying Torah and worshipping G-d in peace and serenity. The rebbe corresponded continuously with this group on profound topics of Chassidut and worship of G-d. Some of these letters (such as the present letter) were printed after his passing in his book Yesod HaAvodah (in the letters section), as well as at the end of the book Be'er Avraham on the Torah.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Marginal tears and folding marks, affecting text, professionally restored with paper. Ink faded. Some words illegible.
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim, author of Divrei Shmuel, addressed to his friends, Slonim Chassidim in Brisk. Chortkov (Chortkiv), Chanukah [ca. 1883-1894].
This letter was written during the rebbe's stay in Chortkov, and it discusses the repayment of debts, loans and fundraising on behalf of the families of Kollel Reisin in Tiberias.
In his letter, the rebbe relates that he is currently in Chortkov, and he plans to go from there to Husiatyn, and later return to his town of Slonim. The rebbe requests that from now on, letters should be sent to him only "in envelopes… and they should be sealed as well, it was improper that you sent letters almost open. Blessing only rests on that which is hidden from the eye". He also writes: "I am silently waiting to know if G-d has granted my way success with His great help… we must rejoice and have faith in the kindness of G-d who shall never forsake His pious ones, they will be guarded forever; He conducts and arranges all occurrences, and from the one remnant of the flasks a miracle He will make for the roses, to raise the prestige of our Kollel [Kollel Reisin in Tiberias], on pillars of Torah, worship of G-d and lovingkindness, with love, fraternity, peace and truth".
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
Rebbe Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim, author of Divrei Shmuel (1850-1916), grandson and close disciple of the Yesod HaAvodah. He began serving as rebbe ca. 1883. He always led his flock with love and exceptional devotion. He was personally involved in the education and spiritual guidance of the youth and saved many from spiritual decline. For most of his life, he was engaged in raising funds for Kollel Reisin, supporting Belarus natives who had immigrated to Tiberias. His most remarkable accomplishment was the establishment of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias. He was also one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael in 1912.
The Divrei Shmuel would often frequent the Tzaddikim and rebbes of his generation, such as the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and R. Mordechai Shraga Feivish of Husiatyn. He especially liked to travel to Rebbe David Moshe of Chortkov, whom he regarded as his prime teacher in all his affairs. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz once praised the Divrei Shmuel and stated that for more than three hundred years, a lofty soul like his had not come down to this world (R. Yitzchak David Lieder, Beit Deli, Jerusalem 2009, pp. 49-50). R. Chaim of Brisk testified that he is well versed in both Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, Sifra, Sifri and Tosefta (R. Shmuel Aharon Lieder, Nitei Esh, p. 471). Regarding his exceptional diligence, it is retold that in his youth he spent six weeks by Rebbe Avraham of Tshechenov, and in that time he managed to review the entire Talmud.
See enclosed material regarding the recipients of this letter.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor tears to folds, repaired with paper.
This letter was written during the rebbe's stay in Chortkov, and it discusses the repayment of debts, loans and fundraising on behalf of the families of Kollel Reisin in Tiberias.
In his letter, the rebbe relates that he is currently in Chortkov, and he plans to go from there to Husiatyn, and later return to his town of Slonim. The rebbe requests that from now on, letters should be sent to him only "in envelopes… and they should be sealed as well, it was improper that you sent letters almost open. Blessing only rests on that which is hidden from the eye". He also writes: "I am silently waiting to know if G-d has granted my way success with His great help… we must rejoice and have faith in the kindness of G-d who shall never forsake His pious ones, they will be guarded forever; He conducts and arranges all occurrences, and from the one remnant of the flasks a miracle He will make for the roses, to raise the prestige of our Kollel [Kollel Reisin in Tiberias], on pillars of Torah, worship of G-d and lovingkindness, with love, fraternity, peace and truth".
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
Rebbe Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim, author of Divrei Shmuel (1850-1916), grandson and close disciple of the Yesod HaAvodah. He began serving as rebbe ca. 1883. He always led his flock with love and exceptional devotion. He was personally involved in the education and spiritual guidance of the youth and saved many from spiritual decline. For most of his life, he was engaged in raising funds for Kollel Reisin, supporting Belarus natives who had immigrated to Tiberias. His most remarkable accomplishment was the establishment of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias. He was also one of the founders of Agudath Yisrael in 1912.
The Divrei Shmuel would often frequent the Tzaddikim and rebbes of his generation, such as the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and R. Mordechai Shraga Feivish of Husiatyn. He especially liked to travel to Rebbe David Moshe of Chortkov, whom he regarded as his prime teacher in all his affairs. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz once praised the Divrei Shmuel and stated that for more than three hundred years, a lofty soul like his had not come down to this world (R. Yitzchak David Lieder, Beit Deli, Jerusalem 2009, pp. 49-50). R. Chaim of Brisk testified that he is well versed in both Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, Sifra, Sifri and Tosefta (R. Shmuel Aharon Lieder, Nitei Esh, p. 471). Regarding his exceptional diligence, it is retold that in his youth he spent six weeks by Rebbe Avraham of Tshechenov, and in that time he managed to review the entire Talmud.
See enclosed material regarding the recipients of this letter.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor tears to folds, repaired with paper.
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Unsold
Letter of blessings and inspiration about the spiritual duties during the upcoming festival of Sukkot, handwritten and signed by Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (the second), author of Beit Avraham. Baranovitch (Baranavichy), Erev Sukkot 1932.
Written on the official stationery of the rebbe, with the letterhead: "Avraham Weinberg son of the late Rebbe Sh. of Slonim, Baranovitch". This letter was presumably sent to one of his sons-in-law, brothers-in-law or nephews.
The rebbe opens the letter with blessings for "Good life, blessed with livelihood and abundance, physical health… may you be blessed with all goodness forever, you, your family and offspring and all that is yours… life and blessing for eternity… Blessing them with a joyful, kosher and good festival, always".
Further in the letter, the rebbe extends his blessings for the upcoming festival of Sukkot, that G-d should spread over them His canopy of peace, and that they merit to find refuge under His wings, and benefit from an outpouring of pure faith. He continues to wish them that during this festival of joy, they should merit to accept upon themselves the yoke of Heaven with joy, and that the Sukkah and four species will unify their hearts with love and fear of His name.
At the end of the letter, the rebbe discusses matters pertaining to the management of the Or Torah boys' school in Tiberias, and familial matters.
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (the second), author of Beit Avraham (1884-1933), was the son of the Divrei Shmuel. He began leading the Slonim Chassidut in 1916, expending great effort to rebuild the Chassidut after WWI. In 1918, he founded the Torat Chessed yeshiva in Baranovich together with his close friend R. Moshe Midner. The yeshiva was a unique combination of the Lithuanian style of learning together with Chassidic fervor in worship of G-d. He lived in Bialystok until 1929, and then in Baranovich. He is particularly famous for the intense excitement and exalted devotion which characterized his prayers and Tish. His prayers and discourses made an impact on his listeners for the rest of their life. "Any discourse uttered by his holy mouth in holiness and purity was like an assault on the inner enemy... He would rock the entire inner soul of a person... cause an emotional turnaround, lighting up the eyes of those who go in the darkness... with the light of a life of holiness, the light of the holy Shabbat, the light of Torah and faith" (from the foreword of his close disciple, the Netivot Shalom, to his book Beit Avraham). Likewise, he was renowned for his holiness, purity and absolute abstinence from any worldly matters. "In regard to his holiness and asceticism, he belonged to previous generations, and great things are retold about him in these matters, beyond the scope of human understanding" (ibid.). R. M. of Slonim wrote about him after his passing: "He overcame his evil inclination more than Yosef HaTzaddik" (based on Gittin 57a). His lectures were recorded and published in his famous book Beit Avraham, by his close disciple the Netivot Shalom. Just like his father the Divrei Shmuel, the Beit Avraham was devoted with his heart and soul to the support and maintenance of the institutions of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias, to its Torah scholars and students. To that end, he wandered from city to city to raise funds, enabling them to sit studying Torah and worshipping G-d with peace of mind. He visited Eretz Israel twice, in 1929 and in 1933. During the course of these visits, the Chassidim grew exceptionally attached to him, and until the end of their lives they would tearfully speak of these visits with great longing and yearning.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Minor tears to folds and upper and lower margins, slightly affecting a few letters.
Written on the official stationery of the rebbe, with the letterhead: "Avraham Weinberg son of the late Rebbe Sh. of Slonim, Baranovitch". This letter was presumably sent to one of his sons-in-law, brothers-in-law or nephews.
The rebbe opens the letter with blessings for "Good life, blessed with livelihood and abundance, physical health… may you be blessed with all goodness forever, you, your family and offspring and all that is yours… life and blessing for eternity… Blessing them with a joyful, kosher and good festival, always".
Further in the letter, the rebbe extends his blessings for the upcoming festival of Sukkot, that G-d should spread over them His canopy of peace, and that they merit to find refuge under His wings, and benefit from an outpouring of pure faith. He continues to wish them that during this festival of joy, they should merit to accept upon themselves the yoke of Heaven with joy, and that the Sukkah and four species will unify their hearts with love and fear of His name.
At the end of the letter, the rebbe discusses matters pertaining to the management of the Or Torah boys' school in Tiberias, and familial matters.
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (the second), author of Beit Avraham (1884-1933), was the son of the Divrei Shmuel. He began leading the Slonim Chassidut in 1916, expending great effort to rebuild the Chassidut after WWI. In 1918, he founded the Torat Chessed yeshiva in Baranovich together with his close friend R. Moshe Midner. The yeshiva was a unique combination of the Lithuanian style of learning together with Chassidic fervor in worship of G-d. He lived in Bialystok until 1929, and then in Baranovich. He is particularly famous for the intense excitement and exalted devotion which characterized his prayers and Tish. His prayers and discourses made an impact on his listeners for the rest of their life. "Any discourse uttered by his holy mouth in holiness and purity was like an assault on the inner enemy... He would rock the entire inner soul of a person... cause an emotional turnaround, lighting up the eyes of those who go in the darkness... with the light of a life of holiness, the light of the holy Shabbat, the light of Torah and faith" (from the foreword of his close disciple, the Netivot Shalom, to his book Beit Avraham). Likewise, he was renowned for his holiness, purity and absolute abstinence from any worldly matters. "In regard to his holiness and asceticism, he belonged to previous generations, and great things are retold about him in these matters, beyond the scope of human understanding" (ibid.). R. M. of Slonim wrote about him after his passing: "He overcame his evil inclination more than Yosef HaTzaddik" (based on Gittin 57a). His lectures were recorded and published in his famous book Beit Avraham, by his close disciple the Netivot Shalom. Just like his father the Divrei Shmuel, the Beit Avraham was devoted with his heart and soul to the support and maintenance of the institutions of the Or Torah yeshiva in Tiberias, to its Torah scholars and students. To that end, he wandered from city to city to raise funds, enabling them to sit studying Torah and worshipping G-d with peace of mind. He visited Eretz Israel twice, in 1929 and in 1933. During the course of these visits, the Chassidim grew exceptionally attached to him, and until the end of their lives they would tearfully speak of these visits with great longing and yearning.
[1] leaf. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Minor tears to folds and upper and lower margins, slightly affecting a few letters.
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
Handwritten Tena'im, for the betrothal of Rebbe Avraham Weinberg of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham, with Rebbetzin Hadassa, daughter of the prominent Chassid R. Mordechai (R. Motke) Lieder. Tiberias, Shevat 1904.
In this Tena'im, dated 14th Shevat 1904, the date of the wedding is set for 17th Adar 1904. To the best of our knowledge, this Tena'im has never been printed.
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg (the third) of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham (1888-1981), nephew and close disciple of the Divrei Shmuel of Slonim. He served as the close attendant of the Divrei Shmuel, and acted as his intermediary before prominent Torah leaders of all sects on communal issues and matters of Eretz Israel funds. He was a leader of the Ashkenazi Orthodox community in Tiberias, and assisted the rabbi of the city, R. Moshe Kliers in preserving the spiritual character of the city. In his youth, he travelled several times to Europe to frequent the courts of his teachers, the rebbes of Slonim, and at their behest, visited many of the foremost Polish and Lithuanian Torah leaders of the generation, both Chassidim and Mitnagdim. In 1955, he was appointed rebbe of Slonim and in 1960, he moved from Tiberias to Jerusalem. He was a member of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Yisrael. He was renowned for his diligence in Torah study and his exceptional toil in his worship of G-d, for his humility and unpretentiousness, and especially for his fervent, tearful prayers. Many of his lectures related to the topic of persevering in one's worship of G-d even at times of reduced enthusiasm and drive. His lectures and letters were published in Birkat Avraham and Nachal Etan. His son-in-law was the Netivot Shalom, rebbe of Slonim.
[1] double leaf. 27 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Minor tear to folds, slightly affecting text.
In this Tena'im, dated 14th Shevat 1904, the date of the wedding is set for 17th Adar 1904. To the best of our knowledge, this Tena'im has never been printed.
Rebbe Avraham Weinberg (the third) of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham (1888-1981), nephew and close disciple of the Divrei Shmuel of Slonim. He served as the close attendant of the Divrei Shmuel, and acted as his intermediary before prominent Torah leaders of all sects on communal issues and matters of Eretz Israel funds. He was a leader of the Ashkenazi Orthodox community in Tiberias, and assisted the rabbi of the city, R. Moshe Kliers in preserving the spiritual character of the city. In his youth, he travelled several times to Europe to frequent the courts of his teachers, the rebbes of Slonim, and at their behest, visited many of the foremost Polish and Lithuanian Torah leaders of the generation, both Chassidim and Mitnagdim. In 1955, he was appointed rebbe of Slonim and in 1960, he moved from Tiberias to Jerusalem. He was a member of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Yisrael. He was renowned for his diligence in Torah study and his exceptional toil in his worship of G-d, for his humility and unpretentiousness, and especially for his fervent, tearful prayers. Many of his lectures related to the topic of persevering in one's worship of G-d even at times of reduced enthusiasm and drive. His lectures and letters were published in Birkat Avraham and Nachal Etan. His son-in-law was the Netivot Shalom, rebbe of Slonim.
[1] double leaf. 27 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Minor tear to folds, slightly affecting text.
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Interesting historic letter, handwritten and signed by Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky, author of Netivot Shalom. Addressed to his future brother-in-law, R. Zelig Weinberg. Baranovich (Baranavichy), Chanukah 1933.
The letter was written by the Netivot Shalom in Baranovich, during his engagement period, and is addressed to his future brother-in-law, R. Zelig Weinberg in Tiberias. In his letter, the Netivot Shalom discusses the dispute which arose over the position of his close friend, the young rebbe of Slonim, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua Weinberg ("The Young Rebbe"), following the passing of the Beit Avraham (see below).
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
At the beginning of the letter, the Netivot Shalom reports that the Chassidim were satisfied with the Chanukah candle lighting ceremonies of Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua, the new rebbe; that a date has not yet been set for the rebbe's wedding, and that they don't know yet how long Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua will live near his father-in-law in Alexander. Further in the letter, the Netivot Shalom praises the leaders of the Slonim community in Tiberias, who widely distributed the letter of R. Moshe Kliers Rabbi of Tiberias, in which he expresses his support for the appointment of R. Shlomo David Yehoshua as rebbe. The Netivot Shalom stresses that R. Moshe Kliers is highly regarded by the Chassidim in Europe. The letter then describes how the Chassidim's concerns that R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel ("Avreimel of Warsaw") would take over the leadership of Slonim Chassidut were in vain.
Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky, author of Netivot Shalom (1911-2000), a leading rebbe in our times, head of the Chinuch HaAtzmai and Vaad HaYeshivot, member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Yisrael. He was a close disciple of the Beit Avraham, rebbe of Slonim, and of R. Moshe Minder; and was the son-in-law of the Birkat Avraham, rebbe of Slonim. He immigrated from Baranovich to Jerusalem in Adar 1935, and settled in Tiberias. In 1940, he moved to Tel Aviv, where he lectured in the Achei Temimim Chabad yeshiva. In 1942, he established the Beit Avraham – Slonim yeshiva in Jerusalem, which he headed for forty years. In 1981, he was appointed rebbe of Slonim. He was famous for his clear, well-organized teachings on Chassidut and current matters, and was renowned for his exceptional wisdom, his pure character traits and primarily as a master educator who made a personal impact on each of his disciples. His lectures on the tractates of Orders Nashim and Nezikin were published in the Netivot Shalom and Shiurei Netivot Shalom series. He is most widely recognized for the Netivot Shalom series, 7 parts, on Chassidic thought and worship of G-d – clear, easy to understand books which were distributed in hundreds of thousands of copies and quickly became Chassidic best-sellers.
[2] leaves. 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
The Dispute in the Slonim Chassidut, Following the Passing of the Beit Avraham
The two sons of the second rebbe of Slonim, R. Shmuel Weinberg (author of Divrei Shmuel, 1850-1916, see item 113), were R. Yissachar Leib (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 466-467), and R. Avraham (the Beit Avraham, 1884-1933). After the passing of their father, both sons were appointed rebbe. The older son, R. Yissachar Leib, conducted his court in Slonim, while the younger son, the Beit Avraham, held his court first in Białystok, and later in Baranovich (Baranavichy). The vast majority of Chassidim followed the Beit Avraham. The brothers shared a close friendship, and sometimes even led the Tish together, side by side.
Rebbe Yissachar Leib passed away on 28th Nissan 1928, leaving behind a son, R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel (later rebbe of Slonim-Tel Aviv; 1898-1978, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 95-96). His brother, the Beit Avraham passed away suddenly, at the age of 49, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1933, leaving behind his only son R. Shlomo David Yehoshua (1913-1944). When R. Yissachar Leib passed away, his son refused to take his place as rebbe of Slonim, and only in 1933, after the passing of his uncle the Beit Avraham, did he agree to serve as rebbe. His followers did not suffice with this, and wished to "annex" the Baranovich court – the Chassidim of the Beit Avraham. However, most of the Chassidim of the Beit Avraham categorically refused to accept R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel as their rebbe, and wished the son of their teacher the Beit Avraham, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua, to succeed him. The latter, being only 20 years of age and unmarried, refused to succeed his father. Thus the Baranovich court was left torn and divided, without a unanimous candidate to lead the Chassidut.
The leaders of Slonim Chassidut in Eretz Israel – R. Moshe Kliers Rabbi of Tiberias, author of Torat HaAretz; R. Mordechai Chaim Slonim (R. Mottel) and the Birkat Avraham came to the rescue of the Slonim Chassidim in Baranovich with firm, decisive letters. In these letters, they command and entreat R. Shlomo David Yehoshua to take the leadership of the dynasty into his hands, despite his young age. Likewise, they sent letters to the Chassidim in Europe in which they publicized their opinion – that they accept only the young R. Shlomo David Yehoshua as rebbe. The Birkat Avraham (then a leader of the Slonim Chassidut in Tiberias) was sent to Baranovich, to try and organize the transfer of the leadership to R. Shlomo David Yehoshua and to settle the dispute.
On 12th Sivan 1933, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua was appointed rebbe of Slonim. On 9th Tammuz 1933, a match was arranged between him and Rebbetzin Sima, daughter of Rebbe Yitzchak Menachem Mendel Danziger – the Akedat Yitzchak of Alexander, and on 6th Adar 1934, the wedding was held. For two years, Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua lived in Alexander (Aleksandrów Łódzki), and he then returned to Baranovich, where he led his Chassidim until he was murdered by the Nazis (on 6th Cheshvan 1943 in the Koldichevo camp).
The present letter was written by the Netivot Shalom, close friend and study partner of Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua, during the time of his engagement with Rebbetzin Chava Miriam, daughter of the Birkat Avraham. The match was arranged by his prime teacher, the Beit Avraham, during his visit to Eretz Israel in winter 1933. The Netivot Shalom himself immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1935, and his wedding took place on 17th Adar 1935. This letter was written by the Netivot Shalom on Zot Chanukah 1933, in Baranovich.
(Sources: Nachalei Emunah, I, p. 21; 19, pp. 41-61; Otzar Erchei HaTorah – BeOhalei Yissachar, I, foreword, pp. 7-10; the present letter).
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $2,500
Including buyer's premium
Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, rabbi of Klausenburg. "Summer camp" [Woodridge, NY, June 1958].
Sent to Netanya, to the building committee of Kiryat Sanz. The letter begins with blessings for the recovery of R. Yechezkel (presumably a member of the committee, since the rebbe blesses him that he should "return to his full strength speedily… that he should be able to continue engaging in the holy work…").
The letter continues with a recommendation for his disciple, R. Menashe Klein (author of Mishneh Halachot, rebbe and rabbi of the Ungvar community in the United States and Jerusalem): " …our disciple and friend, the prominent rabbi, R. Menashe Klein, is travelling to our Holy Land… it is fitting to draw him very close…". The rebbe explains that the purpose of R. Menashe's trip to Eretz Israel is to find himself a suitable wife (since his first marriage was not successful), and he asks the recipients to assist him: " …please try to find him a suitable wife, since he studies Torah diligently and has the potential to grow onwards and upwards… See that he gains recognition and respect, so that he should be successful in his search…".
R. Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam (1905-1994), rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg. A foremost Torah and Chassidic leader in our times. In his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of the Atzei Chaim, rebbe of Sighet. His first wife and all their children were murdered in the Holocaust. Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda endured the worst possible sufferings at the hands of the Nazis, and later assisted in rebuilding Jewish and religious communal life in the DP camps in Germany. He then immigrated to the United States and rebuilt the Sanz Chassidic institutions – Batei Midrash, educational institutes and yeshivas. A decade later, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and established Kiryat Sanz in Netanya and in Jerusalem along with their numerous Torah and charity institutions. In his final years, he founded the Mifal HaShas, a global organization which encourages thousands of Torah scholars worldwide in their in-depth study of all Talmudic tractates. His teachings are recorded in Responsa Divrei Yatziv and Shefa Chaim.
Aerogram. Approx. 33 autograph lines. 30 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.
Sent to Netanya, to the building committee of Kiryat Sanz. The letter begins with blessings for the recovery of R. Yechezkel (presumably a member of the committee, since the rebbe blesses him that he should "return to his full strength speedily… that he should be able to continue engaging in the holy work…").
The letter continues with a recommendation for his disciple, R. Menashe Klein (author of Mishneh Halachot, rebbe and rabbi of the Ungvar community in the United States and Jerusalem): " …our disciple and friend, the prominent rabbi, R. Menashe Klein, is travelling to our Holy Land… it is fitting to draw him very close…". The rebbe explains that the purpose of R. Menashe's trip to Eretz Israel is to find himself a suitable wife (since his first marriage was not successful), and he asks the recipients to assist him: " …please try to find him a suitable wife, since he studies Torah diligently and has the potential to grow onwards and upwards… See that he gains recognition and respect, so that he should be successful in his search…".
R. Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam (1905-1994), rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg. A foremost Torah and Chassidic leader in our times. In his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of the Atzei Chaim, rebbe of Sighet. His first wife and all their children were murdered in the Holocaust. Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda endured the worst possible sufferings at the hands of the Nazis, and later assisted in rebuilding Jewish and religious communal life in the DP camps in Germany. He then immigrated to the United States and rebuilt the Sanz Chassidic institutions – Batei Midrash, educational institutes and yeshivas. A decade later, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and established Kiryat Sanz in Netanya and in Jerusalem along with their numerous Torah and charity institutions. In his final years, he founded the Mifal HaShas, a global organization which encourages thousands of Torah scholars worldwide in their in-depth study of all Talmudic tractates. His teachings are recorded in Responsa Divrei Yatziv and Shefa Chaim.
Aerogram. Approx. 33 autograph lines. 30 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.
Category
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000
Sold for: $4,500
Including buyer's premium
Three letters from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn NY, 1942-1949.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his handwritten signature: "Yosef Yitzchak", and are addressed to his secretary, R. Nissan Mindel.
1. Letter of good year wishes, dated 21st Elul 1942: "With the approach of the new year… I wish to bless him and his family… with a blessing for a good inscription and sealing, for a good and sweet year, in material and spiritual matters".
At the beginning of the letter, the rebbe discusses the translation to English of his letter to R.N. Kohen (Refael Nachman Kohen?).
2. Letter discussing R. Nissan Mindel's journey (presumably to Paris) on behalf of the Rayatz, to offer assistance to Holocaust survivors. 24th Iyar 1948.
"I request that he meet my relative, who supervises the production, to tell him about R. Binyamin Gorodetzki, my agent for arranging livelihood for the refugees and for obtaining quality products at low prices". At the end of the letter, after the words "His friend, who seeks his wellbeing", the rebbe added the following blessing in his handwriting: " With a safe journey and pleasant and good life, in material and spiritual matters".
3. Letter of blessings for health and livelihood. 23rd Menachem Av 1949.
In his letter, the rebbe blesses: "…act according to the doctor's instructions, and G-d will send him a cure and strengthen the health of his honored wife, and grant them success in their most great and lofty work, and give them good livelihood in abundance". At the end of the letter, the rebbe added in his handwriting: " His friend, who seeks his wellbeing, honors him and blesses him in material and spiritual matters", and signed "Yosef Yitzchak" with the letter Yud of his second name in Ashuri script – the rebbe's distinctive signature in the final year of his life.
[3] leaves, official stationery. Approx. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Creases and folding marks. One letter on thin paper.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his handwritten signature: "Yosef Yitzchak", and are addressed to his secretary, R. Nissan Mindel.
1. Letter of good year wishes, dated 21st Elul 1942: "With the approach of the new year… I wish to bless him and his family… with a blessing for a good inscription and sealing, for a good and sweet year, in material and spiritual matters".
At the beginning of the letter, the rebbe discusses the translation to English of his letter to R.N. Kohen (Refael Nachman Kohen?).
2. Letter discussing R. Nissan Mindel's journey (presumably to Paris) on behalf of the Rayatz, to offer assistance to Holocaust survivors. 24th Iyar 1948.
"I request that he meet my relative, who supervises the production, to tell him about R. Binyamin Gorodetzki, my agent for arranging livelihood for the refugees and for obtaining quality products at low prices". At the end of the letter, after the words "His friend, who seeks his wellbeing", the rebbe added the following blessing in his handwriting: " With a safe journey and pleasant and good life, in material and spiritual matters".
3. Letter of blessings for health and livelihood. 23rd Menachem Av 1949.
In his letter, the rebbe blesses: "…act according to the doctor's instructions, and G-d will send him a cure and strengthen the health of his honored wife, and grant them success in their most great and lofty work, and give them good livelihood in abundance". At the end of the letter, the rebbe added in his handwriting: " His friend, who seeks his wellbeing, honors him and blesses him in material and spiritual matters", and signed "Yosef Yitzchak" with the letter Yud of his second name in Ashuri script – the rebbe's distinctive signature in the final year of his life.
[3] leaves, official stationery. Approx. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Creases and folding marks. One letter on thin paper.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $300
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Sold for: $1,375
Including buyer's premium
Letter from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn NY, 8th Shevat 1950.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz.
In his letter, the rebbe offers advice to the recipient and blesses him: "May G-d bless him and grant him success in all his needs. Blessing him in material and spiritual matters".
The letter of Rebbe Rayatz was written on 8th Shevat 1950, two days before his passing on 10th Shevat 1950. It was given to his secretary Chaim Lieberman for transcription, but the latter did not manage to return the typed letter to the rebbe for signing. At the foot of the letter, instead of the rebbe's signature, the secretary added (typewritten): "I did not manage to present this letter to the rebbe for signing", and wrote (in his handwriting): "Signing tearfully, the secretary of the late rebbe, Ch. Lieberman".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Filing holes and pinholes. Minor stains and damage.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz.
In his letter, the rebbe offers advice to the recipient and blesses him: "May G-d bless him and grant him success in all his needs. Blessing him in material and spiritual matters".
The letter of Rebbe Rayatz was written on 8th Shevat 1950, two days before his passing on 10th Shevat 1950. It was given to his secretary Chaim Lieberman for transcription, but the latter did not manage to return the typed letter to the rebbe for signing. At the foot of the letter, instead of the rebbe's signature, the secretary added (typewritten): "I did not manage to present this letter to the rebbe for signing", and wrote (in his handwriting): "Signing tearfully, the secretary of the late rebbe, Ch. Lieberman".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Filing holes and pinholes. Minor stains and damage.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $4,250
Including buyer's premium
Der Besht un die Neshamah (The Baal Shem Tov and the Soul), three draft leaves of a story told in the name of the Baal Shem Tov, with glosses and additions by Rebbe Rayatz. [Brooklyn NY, 1943]. Yiddish.
Three typewritten leaves (typewritten on recto only), with over fifty lines handwritten by Rebbe Rayatz, and many in-text and marginal additions, glosses, emphases and emendations (in pencil and pen).
Der Besht un die Neshama is the remarkable story of the wondrous birth of R. Aharon of Karlin, recounted in the name of the Baal Shem Tov. These draft leaves of the story were given to Rebbe Rayatz for proofreading before it was published in the Yiddish monthly for children and youth Shmuessen mit Kinder un Yugend (Talks and Tales; printed in Vol. I, Tammuz 1943 issue, no. 8 [20], pp. 6-8. Translated to Hebrew under the title "Neshamah min HaShamayim" and printed in Sichot LaNoar, V, issue 3, pp. 271-272). Below the typewritten text on the third page, the rebbe wrote in his handwriting "lacking end" (of story), and added (in his handwriting, at the bottom of this page and on verso) the rest of the story until its conclusion, as well as the lessons to be learned from it (seven points in the name of the Baal HaTanya. This part was not printed in Shmuessen mit Kinder un Yugend). At the foot of the first leaf, the rebbe added another three lines in his handwriting, explaining the moral to be drawn from the story.
[3] leaves. Approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Creases and minor tears to margins and folds (not affecting text). Minor stains.
Three typewritten leaves (typewritten on recto only), with over fifty lines handwritten by Rebbe Rayatz, and many in-text and marginal additions, glosses, emphases and emendations (in pencil and pen).
Der Besht un die Neshama is the remarkable story of the wondrous birth of R. Aharon of Karlin, recounted in the name of the Baal Shem Tov. These draft leaves of the story were given to Rebbe Rayatz for proofreading before it was published in the Yiddish monthly for children and youth Shmuessen mit Kinder un Yugend (Talks and Tales; printed in Vol. I, Tammuz 1943 issue, no. 8 [20], pp. 6-8. Translated to Hebrew under the title "Neshamah min HaShamayim" and printed in Sichot LaNoar, V, issue 3, pp. 271-272). Below the typewritten text on the third page, the rebbe wrote in his handwriting "lacking end" (of story), and added (in his handwriting, at the bottom of this page and on verso) the rest of the story until its conclusion, as well as the lessons to be learned from it (seven points in the name of the Baal HaTanya. This part was not printed in Shmuessen mit Kinder un Yugend). At the foot of the first leaf, the rebbe added another three lines in his handwriting, explaining the moral to be drawn from the story.
[3] leaves. Approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Creases and minor tears to margins and folds (not affecting text). Minor stains.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
![Draft of a lengthy letter (two pages), by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. [Brooklyn NY], Erev S](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale75-public/121.jpg "Draft Letter from Rebbe Rayatz – To Samuel Irving Rosenman, Justice in")
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $800
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for: $1,188
Including buyer's premium
Draft of a lengthy letter (two pages), by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. [Brooklyn NY], Erev Sukkot 1941.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with several lines and emendations handwritten by the Rebbe.
The letter was written following an appeal by the Jewish Education Committee to Jewish parents in New York to enroll their children in Jewish religious schools. In his letter, addressed to Supreme Justice Rosenman, who served as president of the Committee, the Rebbe expresses his concerns about the educational institutes whose curricula do not conform with the traditional Jewish education and whose staff do not believe in G-d and the Torah: "As their teachers… are often nothing other than plain heretics who have no faith in G-d and do not observe His precepts and even mock the Jewish traditional customs". Further in the letter, the Rebbe describes the tremendous influence of an educator on his students, and calls the attention of the Jewish Education Committee to the two following objectives: "a) To improve the curricula… so that the Jewish boys and girls obtain a thorough knowledge of the true Jewish way of life, of our precepts and laws; and b) To maintain control of the teaching staffs with a view to ensuring that the teachers are observant Jews and Jewesses, and are approved as such".
The rebbe concludes the letter with blessings for Justice Rosenman: "The Almighty will surely reward you and bless you generously in material and spiritual matters".
At the foot of the first leaf, the rebbe crossed out several lines, and reformulated them in his handwriting: " Any teacher and educator – both men and women – in whose hands Jewish children were entrusted, to teach religion, ethics and Jewish way of life, their general attitude towards the observance of the practical precepts affects the lives of the students, since their influence leaves it's mark on the entire future of the student" (the emphasized words were added in his handwriting).
The English translation of this letter was printed in Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rayatz (Vol. VI, 1942, letter 1556), with the following footnote: "Copied from the secretary's copy, which is marked at the top 'translation', meaning the Hebrew original (which is not in our possession) was sent to him together with the English translation". This is therefore the draft of the original Hebrew letter, before it was translated to English, and it was not available to the compilers of Igrot Kodesh.
Samuel Irving Rosenman (1896-1973), lawyer and judge. Democratic Party activist and senior advisor of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. First White House Counsel in 1943-1946.
[2] leaves, official stationery. Leaf 1: 28 cm; leaf 2: 18 cm (lacking bottom part). Good condition. Creases and foxing (paperclip marks). Pinholes.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with several lines and emendations handwritten by the Rebbe.
The letter was written following an appeal by the Jewish Education Committee to Jewish parents in New York to enroll their children in Jewish religious schools. In his letter, addressed to Supreme Justice Rosenman, who served as president of the Committee, the Rebbe expresses his concerns about the educational institutes whose curricula do not conform with the traditional Jewish education and whose staff do not believe in G-d and the Torah: "As their teachers… are often nothing other than plain heretics who have no faith in G-d and do not observe His precepts and even mock the Jewish traditional customs". Further in the letter, the Rebbe describes the tremendous influence of an educator on his students, and calls the attention of the Jewish Education Committee to the two following objectives: "a) To improve the curricula… so that the Jewish boys and girls obtain a thorough knowledge of the true Jewish way of life, of our precepts and laws; and b) To maintain control of the teaching staffs with a view to ensuring that the teachers are observant Jews and Jewesses, and are approved as such".
The rebbe concludes the letter with blessings for Justice Rosenman: "The Almighty will surely reward you and bless you generously in material and spiritual matters".
At the foot of the first leaf, the rebbe crossed out several lines, and reformulated them in his handwriting: " Any teacher and educator – both men and women – in whose hands Jewish children were entrusted, to teach religion, ethics and Jewish way of life, their general attitude towards the observance of the practical precepts affects the lives of the students, since their influence leaves it's mark on the entire future of the student" (the emphasized words were added in his handwriting).
The English translation of this letter was printed in Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rayatz (Vol. VI, 1942, letter 1556), with the following footnote: "Copied from the secretary's copy, which is marked at the top 'translation', meaning the Hebrew original (which is not in our possession) was sent to him together with the English translation". This is therefore the draft of the original Hebrew letter, before it was translated to English, and it was not available to the compilers of Igrot Kodesh.
Samuel Irving Rosenman (1896-1973), lawyer and judge. Democratic Party activist and senior advisor of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. First White House Counsel in 1943-1946.
[2] leaves, official stationery. Leaf 1: 28 cm; leaf 2: 18 cm (lacking bottom part). Good condition. Creases and foxing (paperclip marks). Pinholes.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $13,750
Including buyer's premium
Collection of letters, including some polemic and particularly lengthy ones, by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch. Addressed to R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, president of the World Mizrachi Organization. Brooklyn NY, 1942-1949.
9 letters from Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, typewritten on the rebbe's official stationery, with his handwritten signature. Two letters include emendations and several words handwritten by the rebbe.
Two letters call to act firmly against the Jewish Agency, who was sending Orthodox Jewish orphans to irreligious kibbutzim. In his letter from 25th Av 1943 (erroneously dated 1941), the Rayatz addresses the leaders of the Mizrachi movement in the United States and asks them to join a general meeting, which would be attended by the rabbis and leaders of all Orthodox factions in the United States, to confer on a plan of action against the Jewish Agency, regarding the Teheran Children affair (the leaders of the Mizrachi movement decided not to attend the meeting, and did not even respond to the letter of the Rayatz. At the foot of the letter, the recipient, R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, noted: "The narrow committee – R. Berlin, R. Gold, Gedaliah Bublick, Hollander, Nadler – decided not to participate and not to respond"). Enclosed with this letter is a note from the secretary R. Chaim Lieberman, informing them on behalf of the Rayatz that the meeting was postponed by one day.
The letters dated 2nd Adar and 6th Nissan 1942 are polemic, sharp and several pages long, and contain severe censure of the activities of the Mizrachi movement during the Holocaust. The letter from 23rd Iyar 1942, which is particularly long, comprises 7 pages. It begins and ends with a polemic regarding the Mizrachi movement, yet most of it is an easy to understand explanation of the Chabad approach to the tenets of Judaism, accompanied with stories. Four of the letters consist of requests from the heads of Mizrachi to apply to the leaders of the Joint for significant funding to benefit Russian Jewry and war survivors. The letter from Tammuz 1949 bears the famous signature of the Rayatz in the final year of his life, with the letter Yud in Ashuri script, with the addition of several words in his handwriting: "All goodness in material and spiritual matters".
Enclosed with some letters are copies of the recipient's question or response to the letters of the Rayatz.
All the letters were published in the Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rayatz series, most with the omission of the name of the recipient.
24 paper items (letters from Rebbe Rayatz: 18 leaves). 28 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
9 letters from Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, typewritten on the rebbe's official stationery, with his handwritten signature. Two letters include emendations and several words handwritten by the rebbe.
Two letters call to act firmly against the Jewish Agency, who was sending Orthodox Jewish orphans to irreligious kibbutzim. In his letter from 25th Av 1943 (erroneously dated 1941), the Rayatz addresses the leaders of the Mizrachi movement in the United States and asks them to join a general meeting, which would be attended by the rabbis and leaders of all Orthodox factions in the United States, to confer on a plan of action against the Jewish Agency, regarding the Teheran Children affair (the leaders of the Mizrachi movement decided not to attend the meeting, and did not even respond to the letter of the Rayatz. At the foot of the letter, the recipient, R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, noted: "The narrow committee – R. Berlin, R. Gold, Gedaliah Bublick, Hollander, Nadler – decided not to participate and not to respond"). Enclosed with this letter is a note from the secretary R. Chaim Lieberman, informing them on behalf of the Rayatz that the meeting was postponed by one day.
The letters dated 2nd Adar and 6th Nissan 1942 are polemic, sharp and several pages long, and contain severe censure of the activities of the Mizrachi movement during the Holocaust. The letter from 23rd Iyar 1942, which is particularly long, comprises 7 pages. It begins and ends with a polemic regarding the Mizrachi movement, yet most of it is an easy to understand explanation of the Chabad approach to the tenets of Judaism, accompanied with stories. Four of the letters consist of requests from the heads of Mizrachi to apply to the leaders of the Joint for significant funding to benefit Russian Jewry and war survivors. The letter from Tammuz 1949 bears the famous signature of the Rayatz in the final year of his life, with the letter Yud in Ashuri script, with the addition of several words in his handwriting: "All goodness in material and spiritual matters".
Enclosed with some letters are copies of the recipient's question or response to the letters of the Rayatz.
All the letters were published in the Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rayatz series, most with the omission of the name of the recipient.
24 paper items (letters from Rebbe Rayatz: 18 leaves). 28 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue
Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
November 24, 2020
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Sold for: $6,875
Including buyer's premium
Collection of letters from the archive of R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, president of the World Mizrachi Organization: letters on various topics from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch; letter of condolences from the latter's son-in-law, the Lubavitcher Rebbe; extensive correspondence with R. Shemaryahu Gurary regarding Chabad institutions; letters from rabbis and public figures. Latvia, United States, Eretz Israel, 1933-1964.
The collection includes:
• 5 letters from Rebbe Rayatz, typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his handwritten signature.
Contents of these letters: a request from R. Aryeh Leib Gellman to raise donations amounting to 500 dollars in his town of St. Louis, for the various branches of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivot in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia (presumably never printed); an invitation to the wedding of the rebbe's youngest daughter Shaina Horenstein; wedding congratulations; telegram with good year wishes for Rosh Hashanah 1942; letter from 1943 requesting that the Mizrachi send representatives to recite Psalms at King David's tomb (presumably never printed. Enclosed with the letter is a copy of a general letter on the matter).
• Letter of condolences from the Lubavitcher Rebbe upon the passing of R. Gellman's wife, written on Erev Sukkot 1964, with the addition of 9 words handwritten by the rebbe. The rebbe writes: "Following the first letter from this day" (the rebbe is referring to another letter he wrote to him on the same day, which is not present in this collection, in which he thanks him for his condolences upon the passing of his mother Rebbetzin Chana on 6th Tishrei 1964).
The collection also includes:
13 interesting letters from R. Shemaryahu Gurary, addressed to R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, from 1942-1948, disclosing the friction between Chabad and the Mizrachi movement in the United States, and on the other hand the covert ties between them (despite their different worldviews); 9 copies of letters sent by R. Aryeh Leib Gellman to R. Shemaryahu Gurary, from 1944-1947 (one letter is in two copies); 3 letters of congratulations, dated Elul 1951, on the occasion of the wedding of R. Gellman's son, from: R. Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook, the Rishon LeTzion R. Ben Tzion Meir Chai Uziel and the chief rabbi R. Isser Yehuda Unterman; letter of congratulations on the occasion of the birth of a granddaughter, from R. Isser Yehuda Unterman; letter of condolences from R. Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik of Boston (aerogram); 3 letters from the minister Chaim-Moshe Shapira; brief letter on a visiting card, from the minister Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit; letter of condolences from Zalman Shazar, third president of Israel, and more.
46 paper items (including 5 letters signed by Rebbe Rayatz and one letter signed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe). Size varies. Overall good condition.
The collection includes:
• 5 letters from Rebbe Rayatz, typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his handwritten signature.
Contents of these letters: a request from R. Aryeh Leib Gellman to raise donations amounting to 500 dollars in his town of St. Louis, for the various branches of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivot in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia (presumably never printed); an invitation to the wedding of the rebbe's youngest daughter Shaina Horenstein; wedding congratulations; telegram with good year wishes for Rosh Hashanah 1942; letter from 1943 requesting that the Mizrachi send representatives to recite Psalms at King David's tomb (presumably never printed. Enclosed with the letter is a copy of a general letter on the matter).
• Letter of condolences from the Lubavitcher Rebbe upon the passing of R. Gellman's wife, written on Erev Sukkot 1964, with the addition of 9 words handwritten by the rebbe. The rebbe writes: "Following the first letter from this day" (the rebbe is referring to another letter he wrote to him on the same day, which is not present in this collection, in which he thanks him for his condolences upon the passing of his mother Rebbetzin Chana on 6th Tishrei 1964).
The collection also includes:
13 interesting letters from R. Shemaryahu Gurary, addressed to R. Aryeh Leib Gellman, from 1942-1948, disclosing the friction between Chabad and the Mizrachi movement in the United States, and on the other hand the covert ties between them (despite their different worldviews); 9 copies of letters sent by R. Aryeh Leib Gellman to R. Shemaryahu Gurary, from 1944-1947 (one letter is in two copies); 3 letters of congratulations, dated Elul 1951, on the occasion of the wedding of R. Gellman's son, from: R. Tzvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook, the Rishon LeTzion R. Ben Tzion Meir Chai Uziel and the chief rabbi R. Isser Yehuda Unterman; letter of congratulations on the occasion of the birth of a granddaughter, from R. Isser Yehuda Unterman; letter of condolences from R. Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik of Boston (aerogram); 3 letters from the minister Chaim-Moshe Shapira; brief letter on a visiting card, from the minister Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit; letter of condolences from Zalman Shazar, third president of Israel, and more.
46 paper items (including 5 letters signed by Rebbe Rayatz and one letter signed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe). Size varies. Overall good condition.
Category
Chabad – Letters and Manuscripts
Catalogue