Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Mordechai Twersky of Rachmastrivka. Jerusalem, [1910s].
Addressed to R. Avraham Berensohn. Letter acknowledging the reception of a donation of 11 dollars. The rebbe extends many blessings for the donor: "May he receive a blessing from G-d, a thousand times this amount, and experience great success in his work, and find favor in the eyes of G-d and man, and may he be blessed with physical and emotional health, and a complete recovery for his weak heart… may his eyes behold pleasure and great satisfaction from all his descendants, may they go in the straight path in the eyes of G-d and man, and those who need to get married, may they find a suitable match… and longevity, a good and pleasant life always… One who beseeches on his behalf to be saved with all kinds of salvations, blessings and goodness…".
At the end of the letter, the rebbe asks the donor "to help me and support me in the terrible situation we are in". The contents of the letter seem to indicate that it was written during the years of WWI (1914-1918), a time when the Jews of Jerusalem suffered from terrible hunger.
Rebbe Mordechai (R. Mottele) Twersky (1840-1920). Eldest son of the first Rachmastrivka Rebbe, R. Yochanan Twersky, and son-in-law of his uncle Rebbe David of Tolna. In his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of R. Chanina Lipa Shapira of Zhitomir-Slavita. Already in his father's lifetime, a group of Chassidim began frequenting his court, and after the passing of his father in 1895, he served as rebbe of Rachmastrivka together with his brother (initiating the Rachmastrivka tradition of two brothers serving as rebbes, leading the tish and receiving Chassidim – together). In 1906, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he was one of the most prominent rebbes. On Chol HaMoed Pesach 1920, he was injured by Arab rioters on his way to the Western Wall, and passed away several weeks later.
[1] leaf. 17 cm. Good condition. Minor tears. Left margin cut, slightly affecting text. Folding marks.