Letter handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (Grodzisk Wielkopolski). Greiditz, Tevet 1873. Yiddish.
Written on a postcard addressed to R. Refael Eliezer Holzbak. In this letter, R. Guttmacher acknowledges the receipt of donations on behalf of Eretz Israel, expresses his gratitude and extends his blessings (free translation from Yiddish): "I received for the benefit of our rabbis and brethren in the Holy Land… nine thaler, and I hope this great deed will grant you, all those who participated in this donation, a happy life from G-d, together with your families…".
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz (1796-1875), disciple of R. Akiva Eger, served as rabbi of Pleschen (Pleszew) until ca. 1840, thereafter serving as rabbi of Greiditz. His eldest son, R. Tzvi Hirsh, succeeded him as rabbi of Pleschen. Famed as a holy kabbalist, in his senior years his name spread throughout the Jewish world as a wonder-worker, with amazing stories circulating of the great miracles and salvations attained through the blessings of "der Greiditzer Tzaddik" (the Tzaddik of Greiditz), "from all countries people came to seek his blessings and prayers, each one according to his needs" (Igrot Sofrim, at the foot of letter 29).
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher was very active on behalf of Eretz Israel Jewry, and founded a yeshiva in Jerusalem named Chevrat Sukkat Shalom and Meor Yaakov. This yeshiva was established in the Shenot Eliyahu Beit Midrash which was located in R. Eliyahu Guttmacher’s courtyard in Jerusalem, purchased by his trustee R. Yaakov Mordechai Hirschensohn. R. Eliyahu financed the yeshiva until his final days. In addition, together with R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, he was a leading member of the Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel society, founded in Frankfurt in 1860. The goal of this society was to increase agricultural Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, by redeeming the land from non-Jews and settling instead Jewish farmers, who would work it, be sustained by it, and perform mitzvot pertaining to it. These two rabbis propagated this idea extensively in their books, writings, letters and sermons. They prove repeatedly in their books that these activities bring the Redemption closer and awaken Heavenly mercy and salvation.
Postcard. 14X9 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmarks.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, addressed to his friend R. Eliyahu Guttmacher - "The Tzaddik of Greiditz", regarding the activities of their friend, R. Natan Friedland, on behalf of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel (The Society for the Settlement of Eretz Israel). Torun (Poland), 1870.
R. Tzvi Hirsch writes to his friend R. Eliyahu Guttmacher that their mutual friend, R. Natan Friedland, partner to their cause of settling Eretz Israel, seeks to acquire subscribers to their society (Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel, founded in 1860) and that he is on his way to visit him. R. Tzvi Hirsch also writes that he sent two letters with R. Natan, addressed to the German rabbis R. Ezriel Hildesheimer and R. Bamberger of Würzburg, and proposes that they sign a joint proclamation, at the beginning of R. Natan’s notebook, supporting the cause.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer (1795-1875), a prominent Torah scholar, disciple of R. Akiva Eger, of R. Yaakov Rabbi of Lissa, author of Netivot HaMishpat, and of his uncle, R. Yehuda Leib Kalischer, head of the Lissa Beit Din. He served as rabbi of Torun without receiving a salary. Author of Moznayim LaMishpat on Choshen Mishpat (Krotoszyn, 1855), Tzvi LaTzaddik - glosses on the Mishnah and Shulchan Aruch, Even Bochan, Emuna Yeshara and more.
He was one of the first activists and advocates of Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, writing the books Derishat Tzion (Torun, 1866) and Shelom Yerushalayim (Torun, 1868) on this subject. His book Derishat Tzion was reprinted in several editions after the founding of the Chovevei Zion movement, he is considered the spiritual fathers of Chibat Zion and many streets in Israel are named after him.
He worked hand in hand with R. Eliyahu Guttmacher Rabbi of Greiditz, "The Tzaddik of Greiditz", promoting the settlement of Eretz Israel. They exchanged a prolific correspondence and together initiated various activities strengthening the settlement in the Holy Land, including the founding of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel in Frankfurt an der Oder (in 1860). R. Tzvi Kalischer and R. Eliyahu Guttmacher were the heads of Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel and together signed its proclamations. One of the main activists promoting the society’s cause was R. Natan Friedland (1808-1883), disciple of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. R. Natan was active in promoting the settlement of Eretz Israel even before he met R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, believing that the Redemption must happen naturally (following the view of the Vilna Gaon’s disciples). He travelled to many towns and villages, spreading his ideas. During his travels, he met R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, and found in him a friend and partner to his ideas, working with him from then on. R. Natan acted as the envoy of R. Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer and R. Eliyahu Guttmacher, recruiting supporters to Chevrat Yishuv Eretz Israel by sending letters to various communities, campaigning and more.
[1] leaf. Approx. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, wear and folding marks. Tear to bottom of leaf, affecting several letters and damaging the end of the signature, repaired with tape.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Azriel Hildesheimer. [Berlin, Nisan 1888].
Addressed to R. Binyamin Posen of Amsterdam. R. Azriel Hildesheimer writes to him: "…so I received… the precious gift he kindly sent to me, and that is the second and third supplement to the book Or Zarua on Nezikin, please accept my thanks… for honoring me with this beautiful gift. And my prayer is that G-d strengthen and fortify him, his dear brother and all his associates, to raise and increase the prestige of Torah and fear of G-d… His friend, who honors and esteems him… Azriel Hildesheimer".
The books Or Zarua by R. Yitzchak of Vienna were first published based on manuscripts between 1862 and 1890, in four parts. Part III and IV on Order Nezikin were printed in Jerusalem in 1887-1890 by R. Binyamin Posen of Frankfurt am Main and Amsterdam. At the beginning of Part III (on Tractates Bava Kama, Bava Metzia and Bava Batra, printed in 1887-1888), he printed the approbation of R. Azriel, and at the beginning of Part IV (on tractates Sanhedrin and Avoda Zara), printed in 1890, he included a magnificent dedication to R. Azriel on the occasion of his seventieth birthday that year (this dedication was included in some copies only, on the page following the title page).
R. Azriel Hildesheimer (1820-1899), rabbi, posek and leader. A foremost rabbi in his times, he stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in Germany. He was a close disciple of R. Yaakov Ettlinger - the Aruch LaNer in Altona (who refers to him in Responsa Binyan Tzion as "my son"), and studied under Chacham Bernays (R. Yitzchak Bernays) of Hamburg. In 1848, he founded a yeshiva in Halberstadt, and in 1851, he was appointed rabbi of Eisenstadt, where he also served as yeshiva dean and established a unique educational system. In 1869, he began serving as rabbi of the Adath Israel Orthodox community in Berlin, where he founded a yeshiva. In 1874, he opened the Rabbinical seminary, which edified generations of rabbis, educators and community leaders. Just like his teacher the Aruch LaNer, he was titled "Nesi Eretz Israel". He was renowned for his wide-ranging efforts on behalf of German Jewry, and for his extensive activities on behalf of Russian Jewry. He authored many novellae and halachic responsa, which were published in the books Responsa of R. Azriel (2 volumes), Chiddushei R. Azriel - on the Talmud (3 volumes) and others.
Postcard. 14X9 cm. Good condition. Stains. Postmark from Berlin.

Letter handwritten, stamped and signed by R. Mordechai Amram Hirsch. Hamburg, Adar 1890.
Rabbinic ordination for R. Shlomo Fischer of Eisenstadt, a Torah scholar of the renowned Hamburg Kloiz. R. Mordechai Amram writes that since his arrival in Hamburg in the summer, he has made acquaintance with R. Shlomo and discussed much Torah and Halacha with him. He praises him profusely, stating that great people like him, who are perfect in their attributes and character traits, are few and far between. He writes further: "…eminent rabbi... is worthy to be a rabbi and posek in a large and celebrated community…".
R. Mordechai Amram Hirsch (1833-1909, Otzar HaRabbanim 14232), a leading rabbi of his times, amongst the most prominent leaders of Hungarian, Moravian and German Jewry. Born in Tiszabő, Hungary, he began serving as rabbi in various cities in Hungary: Karcag, Tiszabő and Budapest, at the young age of 23. He was one of the leading Orthodox rabbis to support the Status Quo communities. In 1880, he was appointed rabbi of Prague, and in 1889, he went to serve as rabbi of Hamburg, a position he held for twenty years. He was the teacher and father-in-law of R. Chanoch HaKohen Ehrentreu Rabbi of Munich (1854-1927, Otzar HaRabbanim 6626).
The recipient of the ordination, R. Shlomo Fischer Rabbi of Karlsburg (Alba Iulia; 1852-1932, Otzar HaRabbanim 18576), author of Korbani Lachmi, was a prominent and leading rabbi of his times. He was the son of R. Aharon Fischer of Eisenstadt (1825-1889), disciple of the Chatam Sofer. In his youth, he studied under the Ketav Sofer, R. Azriel Hildesheimer and R. Yitzchak Dov Bamberger - the Wurzburger Rav. In 1892, he was appointed rabbi of Karlsburg and the surroundings. His son R. Aharon Fischer immigrated to Jerusalem and was one of the founders of the Eida HaCharedit community in Jerusalem, father of R. Yisrael Yaakov Fischer and R. Shlomo Fischer in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf. Approx. 34 cm. Fair condition. Tears to folds (repaired), and marginal tears.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Akiva Sofer Rabbi of Pressburg, author of Daat Sofer. Pressburg, [1912].
Sent to Jerusalem to his friend R. Mordechai Friedman, with good wishes upon the engagement of his son with the daughter of R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. His signature appears at the end of the letter: "Akiva son of R. S.B.S.". At the foot of the letter, following his signature, he sends regards to Rav Sonnenfeld.
The Gaon of Pressburg - R. Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), author of Daat Sofer, son of R. Simcha Bunim author of Shevet Sofer, who was the son of the Ketav Sofer. He served as rabbi and yeshiva dean in Pressburg since the passing of his father in 1907. Following the Holocaust, he reestablished his yeshiva and community in Jerusalem. He was one of the heads of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.
The recipient of the letter, R. Mordechai Friedman (d. Elul 1944), immigrated to Eretz Israel from Hungary in 1908 and was one of the prominent members of the Hungarian Kollel in Jerusalem. His son, R. Menachem Mendel (1896-1958) was a leading disciple of the author of Maasai LaMelech in the Waitzen Yeshiva. In 1912, he became engaged to Rachel Breindel, daughter of R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, and together they raised a distinguished family in Jerusalem.
Postcard. 9X14 cm. Good condition. Postage stamp and postmarks.