Auction 75 - Rare and Important Items
Letter from the Divrei Shmuel, Rebbe of Slonim – Chortkov, Chanukah, 1880s-1890s
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.
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts
Chassidut – Letters and Manuscripts