Letter signed by Rebbe Aharon Rokeach of Belz. [Eretz Israel, ca. 1950s].
Addressed to the philanthropist R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Rapaport, with blessings and thanks for his donation towards the yeshiva building in Jerusalem. The letter is written by a scribe, and concludes with the rebbe's signature: "Aharon of Belz", and stamp: "Grand Rabbi A. Rokach from Belz".
The rebbe praises his generosity: "I was informed… that his honor pledged to give a considerable sum of money and to buy a room in our yeshiva building in Jerusalem…", and blesses him: " In this merit I bless him with good health for him and his family, success in all areas, and easy livelihood. May he be able to perform mitzvot and good deeds… and be blessed with the fulfillment of all his heart's desires for the good, with satisfaction and all goodness. I also request… that he try to solicit donations from his acquaintances and assist the activist… it will be considered a great mitzvah for him – Aharon of Belz".
Rebbe Aharon Rokeach of Belz (1880-1957) was renowned as a miracle worker and a holy man, earning the epithet "Aharon, G-d's holy one". A foremost Rebbe and leader of European Jewry before the Holocaust, he also rebuilt Torah and Chassidut after the war. He was the son of Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz (the Maharid) and grandson of Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz. From a young age, he was known for his great holiness and toil in Torah and Chassidut, together with his outstanding asceticism. He earned the reputation of an advocate of the Jewish people and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration, and thousands flocked his court to seek his blessings, advice and salvation. He was appointed rebbe of the Belz Chassidut in 1927 and became one of the foremost leaders of Eastern European Jewry. As such, he was especially targeted by the Nazis during the Holocaust. His followers smuggled him from ghetto to ghetto, until he miraculously managed to escape to Budapest, Hungary, where he remained for a short period, until the Nazis demanded his extradition. From there he made his way to Eretz Israel on a difficult journey that spanned Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Syria. His wife, children, grandchildren and entire extended family were killed by the Nazis, and he arrived in Eretz Israel accompanied only by his brother, R. Mordechai of Biłgoraj (who also lost his entire family, his only remnant being his son, R. Yissachar Dov, current Belzer Rebbe, born of his second marriage in Eretz Israel). Rebbe Aharon of Belz settled in Tel Aviv. Together with his brother R. Mordechai of Biłgoraj, he re-established the Belz Chassidut institutions in Eretz Israel and around the world – in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and other places.
[1] leaf. 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. Ink faded (in body of letter and signature). Folding marks. Tears to folds and margins, not affecting text.
Letters signed by Rebbe Aharon of Belz are extremely rare, particularly from his final years after he immigrated to Eretz Israel.