HaDerech, booklet 1, “Derech Tzadikim” – Farewell sermon by holy… Rabbi Mordechai Rokeach, rabbi of holy congregation of Biłgoraj… who spoke in honor of celebration of Tiferet Bachurim upon completion of tractate of Shas. “Derech Kedoshim” – Holy words by righteous genius of the generation… Rabbi Aharon Rokeach the holy Rebbe of Belz… which he delivered in capital city of Budapest prior to immigration to Eretz Yisrael. Edited by Rabbi Menachem Aharon Levovitch, junior rabbi of congregation of Csap. Budapest, 13 Shvat 1944. First and rare edition.
After being miraculously saved from Bochnia Ghetto, the Rebbe of Belz together with his brother, the rabbi of Biłgoraj arrived in Budapest, where they stayed from month of Iyar 1943 until Tevet 1944. In this booklet which was published on 13th of Shvat 1944 (February 7, 1944) the farewell sermon which the Rabbi of Biłgoraj delivered to Hungarian Jewry was printed; the sermon describes atrocities of the Holocaust which took place in Poland and Galicia and the necessity to aid refugees of these countries. Later on he apologizes for their departure to Eretz Yisrael, and he confidently states that the disaster will not reach Hungary, and specifies that they are not traveling to Eretz Yisrael for that reason, but rather because of his yearning for the holiness of Eretz Yisrael and the deep love of his brother for the Holy Land. “… I am obligated to notify you, my beloved friends, scholars of Hungary… that any person who is close to my brother… certainly knows that he is not retreating… as if escaping from the country, he only desires and yearns to immigrate to the Holy Land which is bestowed with ten holinesses… - and the righteous rabbi foresees that residents of the country will be blessed with peace and tranquility… and our brethren of this country will merit only good and benevolence; and the land will be blessed…” (page 19). The continuation of the booklet contains quotes by the Rebbe stating that his journey to Eretz Yisrael is temporary and he intends to return, along with explanations by his brother, rabbi of Biłgoraj, noting that according to the tradition of their holy ancestors, there is no value to settlement in Eretz Yisrael prior to the coming of the Messiah (page 26).
After approximately ten days, on February 17th, 1943, an additional edition of this booklet was published, with many revisions and with the omission of sections pertaining to the immigration to Eretz Yisrael. A month later, a third edition of this booklet was published, under title “second publication, Adar 1944”, which was also “censored”. This is the first and rare edition which contains the complete sermon of the Rebbe.
[2], 28 pages. 19 cm. Good condition, stains on printed cover.