Bidspirit auction | Unique letter from the holy

Unique letter from the holy Rebbi Pinchas Menachem Yustman, the Siftei Tzadik of Pilz, explaining his refusal to accept the leadership of the Chassidim after the passing of the Sfas Emes. - Background of this extraordinary letter: After the passing of the holy Rebbi, the Sfas Emes of Gur, many of the great Chassidim of Gur began to seek guidance and leadership under Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Yustman. However, he distanced himself from them and refused to assume the role of Rebbe. At that time, his relative, the holy Gaon Rabbi Avraham Chaim Reuven Rottenberg of Wodzisław wrote him a letter urging him to accept the leadership and draw the Chassidim close. In response, the holy Rebbi of Pilz wrote the following letter. ''To my dear and esteemed relative, the honored Rabbi, may he be well. Regarding what you have written, know that I have heard twice from the mouth of my saintly grandfather, of blessed memory, that when there is any personal interest in this matter, ‘the Rebbe along with the Chassidim and the twelve loaves are in the lowest depths of Gehenna’—God forbid. Also, I seem to recall hearing that when Rabbi Elimelech and Rebbi Zusha were traveling the world to inspire people to repentance, the Yetzer Horah encountered them and told them that if they did not cease their journeys, he would increase the number of Chassidim and fill the entire world with them. Therefore, just as Rashi explains that although a Matzevah (pillar) was beloved in the days of the Patriarchs, once idolaters began using it, it became despised before the Almighty—I fear that the gathering of Chassidim may have lost its favor in His eyes. However, we find that our sages mention instances of receiving signs from Heaven, such as witnessing a palm tree straightening itself and similar events. And since I have not received any revelation or indication from Heaven, I am afraid that I would have to give an account for assuming such a role on my own initiative. I have already received several letters from distant places expressing a desire to come to me, and my heart trembles greatly. Therefore, as long as I have no clear sign from above showing that there is heavenly approval, my opinion is to decline. And for those who persist in coming despite my refusals—what can I do? May the Merciful One enlighten our eyes, and may we merit to always fulfill His will, as is the hope of your devoted friend and relative, who blesses you with a good and kosher festival, Pinchas Menachem” At the end of the letter, the holy Rebbi of Pilz adds a few lines regarding a confidential matter: ”I was in Częstochowa with the Beis Din, and we made peace—only that Hashem should help so that it remains enduring...” Letters from the Holy Siftei Tzadik of Pilica are Extremely Rare! Only one letter has ever appeared at public auction.  The Holy Rebbe Pinchas Menachem Eliezer Justman [1849–1921] was a grandson of the Rebbe, the author of Chiddushei HaRim of Gur, and the brother-in-law of the Sfat Emet. In his childhood, he went to live in the home of his grandfather, the Chidushei HaRim of Ger, together with his cousin, the holy Rebbi the Sfas Emes, —who later became both his brother-in-law and his teacher. The Sfas Emes also moved to their grandfather’s home after becoming orphaned of both his father and mother. Together, they grew up and were educated under the guidance of their great grandfather, who even took them with him to Kotsk so that they could ”see a true Jew” (in his holy words: ”לאזן זיי אנקוקן א וואהרין יוד”). In later years, both of them became transmitters of tradition, preserving and passing down their grandfather’s Torah in their seforim for future generations. He was also the one who toiled and published his grandfather's works, which became foundational texts in the tents of Torah. In 1864, when he was 16 years old, his grandfather arranged his marriage to his orphaned granddaughter, Hendel Leah, the daughter of his righteous son, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter (who had passed away during his father's lifetime, the Chidushei HaRim). In the late summer, when Rebbe Pinchas Menachem  was unwell, his grandfather sent a letter to the holy Rebbi Yaakov Aryeh of Radzymin, requesting ”to pray for my grandson, the outstanding Torah scholar, R' Pinchas Menachem Mendel, son of Tzina Pessa, who has been ill for more than a week... May Hashem send him a complete recovery speedily, among all the sick of Israel.” After the passing of his grandfather, the Chiddushei HaRim, in 1866, Rebbi Pinchas Menachem Eliezer became a disciple of Rebbi Chanoch Henoch HaKohen Levin of Alexander. Following Rebbi Chanoch Henoch’s passing, he became a close follower of his brother-in-law, Rebbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib of Gur, the Sfat Emet. Among the Sfat Emet's court, Rebbi Pinchas Menachem held a prominent role, managing the inquiries of the chassidim and overseeing communal and organizational matters. When the Sfat Emet passed away on the 5th of Shevat, 1905,