Letter of blessing with holy handwriting and signature of Rebbe Rabbi Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam. Krakow, [c. 1920’s-1930’s].
Written on official postcard from home of rebbe in Krakow, to “pious rabbinical philanthropist… Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Greenberg”. The rebbe informs him that he has received the “Pidyon Nefesh” [redemption] of five gold coins and blesses him: “I am filled with prayer to the Almighty that he bless him with a prosperous blessed year…”.
Holy Rebbe Rabbi Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam (1864-1943, Encyclopedia of Chassidism II, pp. 412-413) youngest son of Rebbe Rabbi Chaim Halberstam author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz. Son-in-law of Rabbi Yechiel Heschel of Karlowitz and in second marriage son-in-law of Rabbi Ya’akov Tzvi of Porisov.
His father, Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, stated that he possesses a holy soul. Absorbed Hassidism from his older brothers: Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Sieniawa, Rabbi Baruch of Görlitz and Rabbi David of Chrzanow; after marriage settled in Belz and absorbed Torah from grandfather of his wife, Rebbe Rabbi Yehoshua of Belz. When he was nineteen was appointed as rabbi in Tchechoiv and was therefore referred to as “Rabbi Yeshayaleh Tschakaver” all his life. From Tchechoiv moved to Satmar and afterwards established his court in Krakow. Famous as a righteous and pious miracle worker and thousands of Hassidim flocked to his home. Upon German invasion of Krakow was confined to a ghetto. From there he escaped to Lvov and wandered from place to place until settling in Bochnia. The Germans searched for him and eventually located the bunker where he was hiding and murdered all of its inhabitants. According to another version, he was murdered together with Rabbi Meir of Vilipoli in plaza of city, both wrapped in their prayer shawls.
Official postcard, name and address of rebbe printed in Polish on back of postcard. Postmarked, missing stamp. 14X10 cm. Good condition, many stains and creases.