Auction 58 - Rare and Important Items

Letter by Rabbi Koppel Reich - Vrbové, 1885 - Plan for a National Convention of Hungarian Rabbis

Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Letter handwritten by R. Koppel Reich with his full signature "Koppel son of R. Yechezkel Reich". Vrbové (Verbó), 1885.
Letter regarding community matters, to R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz Rabbi of Santov (Abaújszántó) - a plan for a public convention of the Orthodox communities of "rabbis… to convene as soon as possible… to think of ideas to benefit the public…". The beginning of the letter reveals that a similar convention of 40 rabbis from Hungarian and Transylvanian communities was organized, however R. Koppel Reich feared that that convention would create a rift among the various communities. Therefore, he is consulting R. Lifshitz about cancelling that convention quietly and without discord.
R. Koppel Reich (1838-1929), eminent Torah scholar and leader of Orthodox Hungarian Jewry. Grandson of R. Ya'akov Koppel Charif Rabbi of Vrbové (Verbó), author of Chiddushei Ya'avetz. Disciple of the Ktav Sofer. Son-in-law and successor of R. Yisrael Shoyer, Rabbi of Sobotište. From 1872, he served as Rabbi of Vrbové and in 1890 was appointed Ra'avad of Budapest and leader of the Orthodox Office of Hungarian Communities. For over 50 years, he stood at the helm of Hungarian Orthodox Jewry which he led with supremacy and wisdom.
The recipient, R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz, Rabbi of Santov (Abaújszántó; died in Cheshvan 1904), son and successor of R. Yitzchak Natan Lifshitz (died in 1877) in the Santov rabbinate. In 1896, R. Aryeh Leib was appointed President of the Orthodox Office in Budapest. He was elected at an assembly initiated by the author of the Yitav Lev, Rabbi of Sighet, in the home of the Pressburg Rabbi, author of Shevet Sofer.
Leaf, 23 cm. Approximately 22 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Torn into two parts at the middle folding crease (not affecting text).