Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Letter of Recommendation and Approbation by R. Mordechai, Rabbi of Oshmiana – Iyar 1898
Opening: $1,500
Sold for: $5,250
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by the wonder-worker, R. Mordechai Rabbi of Oshmiana. Oshmiana (Ashmyany), 33rd day of the Omer 1898.
Approbation for a book and recommendation for its author, R. Eliyahu Gordon, rabbi of Dogalishok (Naujasis Daugėliškis): "I wish to attest that this great man… is extremely well-versed in Torah, and filled with fear of sin… and now I have seen his wonderful composition… and it is exceptionally beneficial, and very useful even for dayanim… to clarify the practical application of the halachah… and this great rabbi is a Torah leader, and it is therefore appropriate to draw him close, have mercy on him and help him, as is fitting for a Torah scholar of his stature, and may those who act with compassion be treated with mercy… here Oshmiana. Mordechai, who resides in the above community".
R. Mordechai Weizel Rosenblatt – known as R. Mordchele of Oshmiana (1837-1916) served as dayan and rabbi in Antipolye (Antopol), Byten (near Slonim), Karelitz (Karelichy), Oshmiana and Slonim. He authored Hadrat Mordechai. A leader of his generation, outstanding Torah scholar and posek, he was renowned in Lithuania as a kabbalist and wonder-worker. Many flocked to seek his blessings, which were known to be fulfilled. The Chafetz Chaim and other leaders of the generation held him in high regard and
would praise him profusely. His portrait hung in many homes throughout Lithuania, and many wondrous accounts are recorded about him. One such story is known from his own testimony in Igeret HaChalom – a letter he sent R. Pinchas Michael Grossleit of Antipolye, in which he confides in him of several dreams he had, where Mahari ben Lev (a Salonika Torah scholar of the 16th century) appeared to him and commanded him to study his responsa work, to thereby atone for the sin of R. Mordechai's ancestor, who acted disrespectfully to Mahari ben Lev.
The recipient of the letter, R. Eliyahu Gordon (1865-1932), was a descendant of R. Avraham, brother of the Gaon of Vilna. He held rabbinic positions in Lithuania and the United States for over forty years. He served as rabbi of various Lithuanian towns, and later as rabbi and posek in the Shnipishok (Šnipiškės) suburb of Vilna. During WWI, he was the rabbi of the Grand Synagogue of Vilna. In 1924, he immigrated to the United States, where he served as rabbi in New York. He authored many halachic and homiletic books: Seder Eliyahu (on Yoreh De'ah – for which he received the present approbation), Divrei Eliyahu, Dim'at HaAshukim, Maarchot Yisrael, Yisrael BaAmim. This approbation was printed in Seder Eliyahu (Warsaw, 1932) and Yisrael BaAmim (Vilna, 1914).
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases and wear to folds. Mounted on paper for preservation.
Approbation for a book and recommendation for its author, R. Eliyahu Gordon, rabbi of Dogalishok (Naujasis Daugėliškis): "I wish to attest that this great man… is extremely well-versed in Torah, and filled with fear of sin… and now I have seen his wonderful composition… and it is exceptionally beneficial, and very useful even for dayanim… to clarify the practical application of the halachah… and this great rabbi is a Torah leader, and it is therefore appropriate to draw him close, have mercy on him and help him, as is fitting for a Torah scholar of his stature, and may those who act with compassion be treated with mercy… here Oshmiana. Mordechai, who resides in the above community".
R. Mordechai Weizel Rosenblatt – known as R. Mordchele of Oshmiana (1837-1916) served as dayan and rabbi in Antipolye (Antopol), Byten (near Slonim), Karelitz (Karelichy), Oshmiana and Slonim. He authored Hadrat Mordechai. A leader of his generation, outstanding Torah scholar and posek, he was renowned in Lithuania as a kabbalist and wonder-worker. Many flocked to seek his blessings, which were known to be fulfilled. The Chafetz Chaim and other leaders of the generation held him in high regard and
would praise him profusely. His portrait hung in many homes throughout Lithuania, and many wondrous accounts are recorded about him. One such story is known from his own testimony in Igeret HaChalom – a letter he sent R. Pinchas Michael Grossleit of Antipolye, in which he confides in him of several dreams he had, where Mahari ben Lev (a Salonika Torah scholar of the 16th century) appeared to him and commanded him to study his responsa work, to thereby atone for the sin of R. Mordechai's ancestor, who acted disrespectfully to Mahari ben Lev.
The recipient of the letter, R. Eliyahu Gordon (1865-1932), was a descendant of R. Avraham, brother of the Gaon of Vilna. He held rabbinic positions in Lithuania and the United States for over forty years. He served as rabbi of various Lithuanian towns, and later as rabbi and posek in the Shnipishok (Šnipiškės) suburb of Vilna. During WWI, he was the rabbi of the Grand Synagogue of Vilna. In 1924, he immigrated to the United States, where he served as rabbi in New York. He authored many halachic and homiletic books: Seder Eliyahu (on Yoreh De'ah – for which he received the present approbation), Divrei Eliyahu, Dim'at HaAshukim, Maarchot Yisrael, Yisrael BaAmim. This approbation was printed in Seder Eliyahu (Warsaw, 1932) and Yisrael BaAmim (Vilna, 1914).
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases and wear to folds. Mounted on paper for preservation.
Rabbinical Letters
Rabbinical Letters