Large decorated certificate; the heading reads: "The way of the righteous is like the light of dawn; it shines ever brighter until the day is perfect". Written for Rebbe "Menachem Mendel… president and administrator of the Holy Land" (presumably the Rebbe of Radzymin, who was president of Kollel Polin at that time), signed by 16 prominent members of the Safed community. Safed, [ca. first decade of the 20th century].
The poetic text, written in Ashkenzic cursive script, is set within a decorated frame (in color) – columns and verses in square calligraphic script, in gold ink. The Jews of Safed thank the rebbe for money he had sent.
The list of signees is headed by R. Avraham Yitzchak Heller (d. 1909. Son of R. Shmuel Heller Rabbi of Safed and great-grandfather of Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn of Toldot Aharon, who was named after him). The other signatories include: R. Shlomo of Warsaw, R. Tuvia Goldzweig, R. Yaakov Sternberg, R. Baruch Kahana, R. Asher Lemel HaKohen, R. Yechiel Aryeh Leib HaKohen Zlatipoler, and others.
The Jews of Safed mention their prayers on his behalf at holy sites, so that the rebbe should merit to have offspring.
The recipient of this certificate is presumably Rebbe Aharon Menachem Mendel Gutterman of Radzymin (1860-1934, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 193-195), leading rebbe in Poland. He headed the Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes fund of Kollel Polin (he visited Eretz Israel in 1929, and donated funds for the partition at the Western Wall). He was the only son of Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua of Radzimin. In 1912, he established a yeshiva in Radzymin, where he delivered an occasional lecture. He left behind over one hundred manuscripts, of which only some have been printed. He was the son-in-law of Rebbe Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala through his first marriage, and of Rebbe Yaakov Moshe Safrin of Komarno through his second marriage. He was childless. Following his passing, he was succeeded by his nephews R. Yaakov Aryeh Morgenstern of Mishkova and R. Avraham Pinchas Morgenstern of Shedlitz.
[1] large leaf. 41X57 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and foxing. Wear and folding marks. Tears (repaired). In a passe-partout frame.