Auction 86 - Part II - The Leo Rapaport Collection
The letters are addressed to R. "Tzvi Ari Rapaport" (presumably a mistake, should be R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport). They discuss the purchase of early books and manuscripts which were sent to R. Chaim from a bookseller in London.
In the first letter, R. Chaim writes that he received the package of books from England, and found it to contain rare and important books, most of which are difficult to obtain. He also mentions important manuscripts included in the parcel, such as two kabbalistic manuscripts; a manuscript of the book Keren Orah on Tractate Nazir (which according to R. Chaim was handwritten by the author himself. The manuscript appears in the present catalog, item 123 – see there about the identity of the writer); an important manuscript which he claims was written by a disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, with an approbation by R. Aryeh Leib Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of Brisk – who declared the ban on Chassidim (referring to the manuscript of Tzefirat Tifarah, appearing in the present catalog, item 122 – see there); a manuscript of the discourses of the Tzemach Tzedek, with discourses by R. Aharon of Strashelye, leading disciple of the Baal HaTanya (the manuscript appears in the present catalog, item 125).
R. Chaim assesses the total value of all the books and manuscripts, and asks R. Rapaport to send the money. He concludes the first letter by writing that he is distressed about the anguish caused by the misunderstanding with a previous purchase of 30 books. Enclosed with the letter is a detailed list of some 120 other books, some of which are marked "rare".
The second letter also discusses the purchase of books and manuscripts, and methods of payment and shipping. R. Chaim adds that his son R. Dov Tzvi is studying in Baltimore, and asks R. Rapaport to invite him once for a Shabbat.
R. Chaim Kreiswirth (1918-2002) was a tremendous Torah scholar and gifted genius. Born in Galicia, he studied in Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin. During the Holocaust, he was miraculously saved from the Nazis and fled to Vilna, where he became acquainted with R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski and drew close to the world of the Lithuanian Torah leaders. He married the daughter of R. Avraham Grodzinski, mashgiach of the Slabodka yeshiva. In 1941, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he was known as "the Ilui from Krakow". He served as rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish community in Antwerp (Kehillat Machzikei Hadas) from 1954, and became known worldwide as one of the foremost Torah leaders of the previous generation. His tremendous Torah scholarship was equaled by his kindness and generosity, supporting orphans and widows and financing marriages for the poor.
[5] leaves (including: two letters and three leaves with lists of books and manuscripts). Official stationery of R. Kreiswirth. Approx. 28 cm (bottom of second letter cut off after end of letter). Good condition. Minor stains. Creases and folding marks.
Unpublished work. The manuscript discusses the famous disputes regarding Tefillin: the order of insertion of the Parashiot according to Rashi and Rabbenu Tam; reciting one or two blessings; and the obligation to lay Tefillin on Chol HaMoed.
The manuscript opens with two original approbations signed by prominent Lithuanian Torah leaders: R. Aryeh Leib Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of Brisk and R. Yerucham Altschuler Rabbi of Bodki (Boćki).
In his approbation dated 17th Shevat 1835, which is written by a scribe and bears his signature, R. Aryeh Leib Katzenellenbogen addresses the author with exceptional titles of honor.
Of particular note is the lengthy approbation by R. Yerucham Altschuler, dated 10th Adar 1835 (two pages handwritten and signed by R. Yerucham), in which he praises the author and his composition, and mentions R. Aryeh Leib Katzenellenbogen's approbation. Both approbations relate to the author's conclusions that Rabbenu Tam Tefillin should preferably be donned as well (see Hebrew sidebar).
The manuscript opens with a title page on bluish paper, stating the book title – Shem MiShimon, and indicating that it contains two separate works on two different topics – Tzefirah Tifarah and Choshev Kero Mikra. The second work is not found in the present manuscript.
The approbations are bound after the general title page. A divisional title page for Tzefirat Tifarah, also written on bluish paper, precedes the composition itself.
The preface is signed by the author: "Yehuda Leibush son of R. Shimon Eisenberg of Dubno, currently residing in Tarnopol, Galicia".
The manuscript contains many glosses relating to the contents, in a slightly different hand. In several places, a piece of paper was pasted over the text, and occasionally over an entire page, with the corrected text. The manuscript may have been written by a scribe, with only the corrections handwritten by the author. There are however also glosses in a different script which were certainly not written by the author. Three glosses are signed: "Hagahot Yosef".
R. Aryeh Leib Katzenellenbogen (Katzenellenfogen) Rabbi of Brisk (d. 12 Av 1837), leading Lithuanian Torah scholar in his generation (in the times of R. Chaim of Volozhin and R. Abele Posweller of Vilna). He was the son-in-law of R. Mordechai Ze'ev Orenstein Rabbi of Lviv, and son of R. Yosef Katzenellenbogen Rabbi and dean of Brisk (son of R. Avraham Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of Brisk in 1820-1894, descendant of the Knesset Yechezkel R. Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen Rabbi of the Three Communities, who was born in Brisk to R. Avraham Katzenellenfogen, a dayan in Brisk). Already in his youth, in 1898, he was appointed rabbi of Brisk, as successor of his prominent ancestors who served as rabbis of Brisk for several generations (in the times when Brisk was one of the Torah centers of Europe, and its rabbis served as leaders of the Vaad Arba Aratzot). He served as rabbi of Brisk for close to forty years, and was known as one of the Torah leaders of the generation, for his brilliance and great piety, and for his firmness in conducting communal matters. In 1821, he signed together with R. Chaim of Volozhin a ban protecting the Eretz Israel funds. He was extensively eulogized upon his passing; one of the eulogies was published in Hoy Ariel (by R. Chanoch Zundel, author of Etz Yosef, Vilna 1838). A small part of his Torah teachings is quoted in various sources, though we do not know of any of his writings.
R. Yerucham Altschuler (d. ca. 1859), rabbi of Bodki and prominent Torah scholar. He exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Yechiel Heller author of Amudei Or who refers to him with exceptional praises (Amudei Or, section 11). In a eulogy by R. Shmuel Shlomo Zalman, he is praised for his good deeds, understanding and wise counsel, and it appears from his words that he was appointed as rabbi of the city already as a child (Yegon Lev, Warsaw 1860). He authored Orot MeOfel on the text of the Talmud, novellae on Mishnayot, novellae on the Jerusalem Talmud and responsa exchanged with the Torah leaders of his times. His works were not fully published; some of them appeared in Torah anthologies (R. Y.L. Fishman in Ezkerah – In the memory of R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Jerusalem 1937, part III, p. 50). His textual corrections to the Talmud were published in installments in Sinai, and he seems to have been the first to methodically study the textual variations (see Y.Sh. Spiegel, Chapters in the History of the Jewish Book: Scholars and their Annotations, Ramat Gan 2005, pp. 474-475).
[3]; [45] leaves (altogether approx. 48 leaves; title page of Tzefirat Tifarah pasted on another leaf, hiding text). 23 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including ink stains. Wear. Tears and open tears, not affecting text. Detached leaves. Original binding, damaged and detached.
This book was published in Vilna in 1868, some 17 years after the passing of the author (Cheshvan 1851). Since its publication, Keren Orah has become a classic work and the main commentary on Tractate Nazir, a profound tractate with few commentaries. The book was published based on the present manuscript – see below.
Note handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Kreiswirth Rabbi of Antwerp on the front endpaper, attributing the manuscript to the author: "Handwriting of the tremendous Torah scholar, author of Keren Orah, and this is the manuscript of Keren Orah on Nazir, Chaim Kreiswirth". In R. Chaim's letter to the buyer of this manuscript, he also describes this manuscript as handwritten by the author himself (the letter appears in this catalog, see item 121). We have not found a sample of the author's handwriting for comparison. However, the nature of the errors, which are typical of a copyist, seem to indicate that the manuscript is an orderly copying produced by a scribe rather than handwritten by the author itself.
The manuscript was written in two columns. Various types of glosses, in different hands, were added in the margins and between the lines: 1. Emendations and addition of omissions, in the copyist's handwriting. 2. Correction of errors and printer's markings, presumably made while preparing this manuscript for print (including markings indicating the beginning of a new page in the printed version). 3. Glosses on the contents and additions in a different hand (handwritten by the author? or perhaps corrections based on the author's original manuscript), incorporated in the Vilna 1868 edition. 4. Lengthy scholarly glosses (in Ashkenazic script, typical of ca. 1850s-1880s), which were not published in the printed book. These were presumably written by a prominent Torah scholar who studied the composition from the present manuscript.
R. Yitzchak Minkowski author of Keren Orah (1788-1851), leading Torah scholar of his times. He was born in Minsk to R. Aharon (son of R. Baruch Doktor of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna). He studied for many years with his older brother R. Yaakov Bruchin author of Mishkenot Yaakov (1781-1844), who was a prominent disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin. R. Yitzchak lived in Shereshov (Šarašova), and later in Karlin, unassumingly applying himself to Torah study and to composing his works, all the while refusing to undertake a rabbinical position. In 1845, after the passing of his brother R. Yaakov, the community of Karlin obliged him to succeed his brother as rabbi of the city.
R. Yitzchak Minkowski prepared all his works for print, though he did not merit to publish them in his lifetime. His books were printed in 1852-1884.
At the end of their foreword to Keren Ora on Tractates Zevachim and Me'ilah, printed in 1857, the sons of the author describe the process of preparing their father's books for print, which included having the manuscripts copied by copyists, and then carefully proofread and edited by experts.
[83] leaves (most leaves written on both sides in four columns). 37 cm. Multiple foliations (some leaves presumably bound out of sequence). Condition varies. Stains, including dampstains. Dark stains to some leaves. Wear and traces of mold. Open tears to some leaves, affecting edge of text (with old paper repairs). Non-original cloth binding, worn.
Complete ten-leaf booklet handwritten by the Chatam Sofer, halachic and Talmudic sermons delivered on Shabbat HaGadol and the final day of Pesach 1811. Pressburg (Bratislava), 1811.
Comprises three parts. The first two parts (on the topics of Theodosius of Rome and the transfer of aroma in kashrut) were said on Shabbat HaGadol 1811, and the third part (on the topic of Techumin), was said on the final days of Pesach that year.
The booklet begins with a title page handwritten by the Chatam Sofer: "Sermon for Shabbat HaGadol 1811, here in Pressburg…". Headings on pp. 1a, 3a and 7b.
The present novellae were printed in the book Chatam Sofer on Talmudic topics, part I, Jerusalem 1891 (at the beginning of the book).
The manuscript is placed in a cardboard folder, with inscriptions by R. Zecharyahu Elefant documenting the provenance of the present manuscript: "Booklet handwritten by the Chatam Sofer, I received as a gift of Erev Shabbat… 1947, from my friend… R. Aharon Simcha Blumenthal… Zechariah Elefant, grandson of R. Moshe Avraham Eisenberger, who was a disciple of the Chatam Sofer and his close attendant"; "12th Adar 1955, the wealthy donor… R. Yehuda Leib HaKohen Rapaport… gave me a generous donation for the publication of the writings of the Shaarei Torah… and as a remembrance of friendship and love, I gave him as a gift the enclosed manuscript of the Chatam Sofer, and I am convinced that the booklet was handwritten by the Chatam Sofer, Zecharyahu Elefant, who is occupied with the publication of the writings of the Shaarei Torah".
[1], 9 leaves (17 pages handwritten by the Chatam Sofer + a title page in his handwriting; over 500 autograph lines). 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Most leaves complete, apart from minor marginal tears and wear. Open tears to leaf 1, affecting text. Open tears to title page and another leaf, not affecting text. Title page and leaf 1 detached. Stains. Strips of sellotape and dark tape stains to title page and final leaf.
Out of love and reverence for his teachings, descendants and disciples of the Chatam Sofer customarily preserve his manuscripts, as a segulah for Yirat Shamayim and salvation (see below).
The Handwriting of the Chatam Sofer – Segulah for Yirat Shamayim
R. Mordechai Banet reputedly stated that just seeing the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer is a segulah for Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven). R. Yosef Naftali Stern cited the following story in the name of his father-in-law R. Shmuel Alexandri Sofer, who heard it from his father the Ktav Sofer:
As an elderly man, the Maharam Banet dealt with a complex halachic issue concerning an agunah. The members of the Nikolsburg Beit Din wrote a long pamphlet on the matter and sent it to the Chatam Sofer, requesting his opinion. Upon receiving the pamphlet, the Chatam Sofer studied it for a short while and responded that same day. The Nikolsburg Beit Din was amazed at the speed of his response and began to peruse his answer. Maharam Banet took the letter from them, and upon seeing the Chatam Sofer's conclusion permitting the agunah to remarry, immediately instructed the Beit Din to issue the ruling permitting her remarriage, and resumed studying the Chatam Sofer's responsum. The members of the Beit Din thought that R. Banet had lingering doubts about the ruling, however, the Maharam Banet told them to continue with the proceedings to release the agunah and explained that he was looking at the responsum because just seeing the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer is a segulah for Yirat Shamayim.
Rabbi Aharon Kotler, who particularly cherished the teachings of the Chatam Sofer, often repeated this story.
This story is cited with minor variations in the name of the Satmar Rebbe, in Chaim Sheyesh Bahem (Mahadura Kama, Parshat Shemini, pp. 200-201): A Satmar Chassid presented his rebbe with a gift of a handwritten letter by the Chatam Sofer. At first, the Rebbe refused to accept the gift due to its great monetary value. He said that had the Chassid given the Rebbe its worth in money, the Rebbe would never have accepted the gift, and therefore refused the valuable manuscript. However, after the Chassid persisted, the Satmar Rebbe finally agreed to accept the letter. The letter by the Chatam Sofer gave him excessive pleasure and he read it over and over. On that occasion, the Rebbe recounted the story about the Maharam Banet, who while holding a handwritten responsum of the Chatam Sofer stated that although he understood its content immediately upon the first reading, "I read the words repeatedly because reading the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer is a segulah for Yirat Shamayim".
Rav Shach, dean of the Ponovezh Yeshiva, paid a consolation visit to an important rabbi in Bnei Brak who was a descendent of the Chatam Sofer. The rabbi's sons told Rav Shach that they possess an autograph leaf of the Chatam Sofer and he asked to see it, requesting that it be removed from its protective cover since actually touching the handwriting of the Chatam Sofer leads to fear of Heaven.
The manuscripts of the Chatam Sofer are also regarded as a segulah for protection and for deliverance from various difficulties. Upon traveling, R. Shimon Sofer, Rabbi of Krakow, would take manuscripts written by his father, the Chatam Sofer, as a segulah for protection. Many Holocaust survivors attribute the miracle of their survival to the holy writings of the Chatam Sofer which they carried with them. R. Yitzchak Zilberstein of Bnei Brak often mentions in his sermons that possessing writings of the Chatam Sofer is a segulah for healing and deliverance.
The manuscript contains mostly copyings of discourses of the Tzemach Tzedek, presumably copied during his lifetime; a few copyings of discourses of the Baal HaTanya and copyings of discourses of Rebbe Aharon of Starosel'ye.
[110] leaves (foliated: 358-467). Approx. 24 cm (several smaller leaves). Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to several leaves, affecting text. Inner margins repaired. Worming to several leaves, affecting text. Old binding.
The homily concludes with blessings for the fulfillment of the verse "all of you are alive this day". At the foot of the homily, R. Ehrenreich refers to teachings found in his book Tiyul BaPardes.
On verso, letter handwritten and signed by R. Mordechai Ze'ev Ehrenreich (of New York), addressed to the philanthropist R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport: "…I am hereby fulfilling his request for a manuscript of my grandfather R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich rabbi of Shamloy, from his grandson M.Z. Ehrenreich".
The present homily was printed in Even Shleimah on the Torah (1974).
R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich Rabbi of Tshaba (Hejőcsaba) and Shamloy (1863-1944), grandson of R. Avraham Yehuda Schwartz author of Kol Arieh, rabbi of Mád. A tremendous Torah scholar, kabbalist and Chassid, he was one of the leading halachic authorities and Orthodox rabbis in Hungary. He was a close disciple of the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet, and a colleague and admirer of the latter's son Rebbe Yoel of Satmar. He was held in high esteem by the rabbis and rebbes of his generation for his outstanding Torah knowledge and fear of G-d. R. Shalom Eliezer of Ratzfert proclaimed that he was unparalleled in his times as a halachic authority. R. Avraham Yehoshua Freund of Năsăud, himself a leader to thousands of Chassidim, would humble himself before him and the Darchei Teshuvah termed him a second Shaagat Aryeh. He authored: Responsa Lechem Shlomo, Tiyul BaPardes, Rachamei Av, and more.
[1] double leaf (two written pages). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and minor tears.
An additional leaf is enclosed – a photocopy of a letter from 1964 handwritten and signed by the author's grandson, R. Mordechai Ze'ev Ehrenreich (with the addition of one handwritten line), appealing to R. Leib Rapaport to help fund the publication of his grandfather's writings. He writes there that he has enclosed a manuscript of his grandfather the author.
Addressed to the philanthropist R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport, with blessings and thanks for his donation towards the yeshiva building in Jerusalem. The letter is written by a scribe, and concludes with the rebbe's signature: "Aharon of Belz", and stamp: "Grand Rabbi A. Rokach from Belz".
The rebbe praises his generosity: "I was informed… that his honor pledged to give a considerable sum of money and to buy a room in our yeshiva building in Jerusalem…", and blesses him: " In this merit I bless him with good health for him and his family, success in all areas, and easy livelihood. May he be able to perform mitzvot and good deeds… and be blessed with the fulfillment of all his heart's desires for the good, with satisfaction and all goodness. I also request… that he try to solicit donations from his acquaintances and assist the activist… it will be considered a great mitzvah for him – Aharon of Belz".
Rebbe Aharon Rokeach of Belz (1880-1957) was renowned as a miracle worker and a holy man, earning the epithet "Aharon, G-d's holy one". A foremost Rebbe and leader of European Jewry before the Holocaust, he also rebuilt Torah and Chassidut after the war. He was the son of Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz (the Maharid) and grandson of Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz. From a young age, he was known for his great holiness and toil in Torah and Chassidut, together with his outstanding asceticism. He earned the reputation of an advocate of the Jewish people and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration, and thousands flocked his court to seek his blessings, advice and salvation. He was appointed rebbe of the Belz Chassidut in 1927 and became one of the foremost leaders of Eastern European Jewry. As such, he was especially targeted by the Nazis during the Holocaust. His followers smuggled him from ghetto to ghetto, until he miraculously managed to escape to Budapest, Hungary, where he remained for a short period, until the Nazis demanded his extradition. From there he made his way to Eretz Israel on a difficult journey that spanned Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Syria. His wife, children, grandchildren and entire extended family were killed by the Nazis, and he arrived in Eretz Israel accompanied only by his brother, R. Mordechai of Biłgoraj (who also lost his entire family, his only remnant being his son, R. Yissachar Dov, current Belzer Rebbe, born of his second marriage in Eretz Israel). Rebbe Aharon of Belz settled in Tel Aviv. Together with his brother R. Mordechai of Biłgoraj, he re-established the Belz Chassidut institutions in Eretz Israel and around the world – in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and other places.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Ink faded (in body of letter and signature). Folding marks. Tears to folds and margins, not affecting text.
Letters signed by Rebbe Aharon of Belz are extremely rare, particularly from his final years after he immigrated to Eretz Israel.
Romanized Hebrew. Signed: "Rabbi Aron Rokach MiBelz". The rebbe requests funding for the yeshiva building, and blesses him: "In this merit he will be blessed with good health, great success, and his merit will be great".
21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks. Open tear to lower-left corner. Inscriptions and stamps.
Typewritten letter, with the rebbe's signature.
Acknowledgment and blessings to the philanthropist R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport, for his donation of the Beit Rapaport building for Satmar institutions in the Katamon neighborhood, Jerusalem.
Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979), a leader of his generation, president of the Eida HaChareidit and leader of American Orthodox Jewry, one of the founding pillars of Chassidic Jewry after the Holocaust. Born in Sighet, he was the son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov, and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda, the Yitav Lev, who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was renowned from his youth as a leading Torah scholar, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. After his marriage to the daughter of Rebbe Avraham Chaim Horowitz of Polaniec, he settled in Satmar and taught Torah and Chassidut to an elite group of disciples and followers. He served as rabbi of Irshava, Karoly (Carei; from 1925), and Satmar (Satu Mare; from 1934), managing in each of these places a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. During the Holocaust, he was rescued through the famous Kastner Train, and after a journey through Bergen-Belsen, Switzerland and Eretz Israel, he reached the United States, where he established the largest Chassidic group in the world – Satmar Chassidut, until today the dominant faction in American Orthodox Jewry. He served as president of the Eida HaChareidit in Jerusalem. A leading opponent of Zionism and of the founding of the State of Israel, he zealously led crucial battles for the preservation of the unique character of the Jewish people and its holiness, fearful for the honor of the Torah and the future of faithful Jewry. He was renowned as an exceptionally charitable person; his door was open to the poor and his ear attentive to the needy from every stream of the Jewish people. An outstanding Torah scholar, he responded to many halachic queries, and his writings were published in dozens of books: VaYoel Moshe, Responsa Divrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel on the Torah and more.
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 21 cm. Fair condition. Large marginal open tears on all edges of leaf, slightly affecting text.
• Letter of good year wishes (11 autograph lines). Elul 1962.
The rebbe writes: "Since the days of mercy and forgiveness are approaching… I wish to extend my blessing to him, a blessing of a good inscription and sealing and a good, blessed year, may G-d fulfill all his heart's desires for the good and for blessing, salvation and mercy, may he merit a life of satisfaction and serenity, and to see much satisfaction from his dear descendants… may only goodness and kindness fill his home forever…".
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Wear and tears, not affecting text.
• Letter (8 autograph lines). [Kiryat Yismach Moshe, Kislev 1964].
Interesting letter, written after his recovery from an illness (there is a perceptible change in the handwriting): "…I give thanks to G-d who brought me to this point, that I am able to thank his honor for inquiring about me during my weakness, and I can now inform him that my situation is improving daily…". Further in the letter, he describes the settling of the Kiryat Yismach Moshe neighborhood: "The neighborhood is filling up, and it is a real Kiddush Hashem… his honor should come see with his own eyes its splendor… which is unique in the whole of Eretz Israel".
Aerogram. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and creases. Tears to folds, slightly affecting text.
Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Meyer-Teitelbaum of Sassov (1906-1966, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p 641), son of Rebbe Chanoch Henich of Sassov author of Ir Chanoch, and descendant of Rebbe Shlomo Meyer of Sassov (son of Rebbe Chanoch Henich of Alesk). His mother was a descendant of the Kedushat Yom Tov and the Yitav Lev, rebbes of Sighet. In his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of his uncle Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, and he directed his father-in-law's yeshiva in Karoly. He later served as rabbi of Szemihaly (Bűdszentmihály) and head of the Satmar Beit Din. Following the Holocaust, he established the Sassov Chassidut in the United States and in the 1960s, he founded the Kiryat Yismach Moshe neighborhood in Eretz Israel (in Ganei Tikvah, close to Kiryat Ono).
• Letter of halachic responsum, addressed to R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport. Brooklyn, NY, 1963. Typewritten (on both sides) on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his handwritten emendations and signature.
• Ketubah DeIrkesa – printed leaf completed by hand, replacement of the lost ketubah of R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport, recording his marriage to his wife Sarah (Susan) which took place in Grosswardein. Signed by the witnesses Rebbe Yoel son of R. Chanoch Henich Teitelbaum and R. Yosef Mordechai son of Yaakov Segal; with the signatures of the husband and wife (in pencil).
• Visiting card of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum, printed in English, with handwritten correction to telephone number.
Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum (Meyer) of Királyháza (1913-1986; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 88), son of Rebbe Chanoch Henich of Sassov and nephew of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. He adopted his mother's surname – Teitelbaum. He was the son-in-law of R. Yosef Lewy Rabbi of Királyháza. He succeeded his father-in-law as rabbi of Királyháza and headed a yeshiva there. After the holocaust, he served as rabbi of Satmar, and in 1947, he reached New York, serving there as rabbi as well. He published his father's books – Ir Chanoch. His brothers are Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Meyer-Teitelbaum of Sassov (founder of Kiryat Yismach Moshe) and Rebbe Yitzchak Meir Meyer of Keretsky.
3 paper items. Size and condition vary. Overall good condition.
Addressed to the philanthropist R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport, with heartfelt blessings and expressions of exceptional humility: "May G-d send his assistance and renewed goodness to my friend… who is outstanding in Torah, fear of G-d and generosity… may he rise to heights of blessing and success, may no hand rule over him to harm him… one who stands in prayer for him in the merit of my fathers… Elazar".
Rebbe Elazar Twersky (1892-1976), first rebbe of Faltishan and author of Pekudat Elazar. He was a leading rebbe in the United States, a scion of the Skver and Belz dynasties. He was the son of Rebbe Shlomo of Skver, son of Rebbe David Twersky of Skver and son-in-law of Rebbe Aryeh Leibush Roke'ach of Magrov (son of Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz). As a young child, he was in the presence of his illustrious great-grandfather, Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, who predicted that he was destined for greatness. As a young man, he was raised in the court of his great-uncle Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz, and was considered like one of the grandsons of the rebbe, who cherished him, and always noted his prominence in Torah and Chassidut. In Elul 1910, he married the daughter of Rebbe Meir of Shotz-Premishlan, in whose home he studied together with his illustrious brother-in-law R. Shalom of Shotz. In 1920, he moved to Faltishan, where he served as rabbi and rebbe to thousands of Chassidim who flocked to receive his advice and blessings. During the Holocaust he relocated to Bucharest, and after the war he moved to the United States, where he was known as rebbe of Faltishan, and spent his days and nights in Torah study and prayer for the deliverance of the Jewish people.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.