Bidspirit auction | Rare letter from the Holy

Rare letter from the Holy Rebbi Pinchas Menachem Yustman, the Siftei Tzadik of Pilz to the Holy Rebbi Alter Meir David Yechiel of Wolbrom. - Pilica, [c. 1900]. A letter filled with words of compassion and mercy concerning an older orphaned bride who had become engaged to a groom from Wolbrom. After the groom was forced to enlist in the army, complications arose, and the holy Rebbe of Pilica intervenes, requesting that the recipient help mediate and restore peace between them. “…May you merit a good and kosher festival, and may only good tidings come to Israel, as is the hope of one who cherishes you, who clings to the dust of the righteous.Pinchas Menachem.” Letters from the holy Rebbe, the author of Siftei Tzaddik of Pilica are exceedingly rare. This letter has never been published. 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, Rebbi Pinchas Menachem refused to assume leadership of the Gur chassidim. In his will, he wrote that he had not received a heavenly sign to take on this role. To avoid the responsibilities of leadership, he left the town of Gur and moved to Pilica, where he was appointed as the town’s rabbi. Despite his efforts to distance himself, many of the followers and close associates of the Sfat Emet sought him out and continued to maintain their connection with him. Eventually, he accepted them as his chassidim. Meanwhile, Rebbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, the Imrei Emet (son of the Sfat Emet), initially refrained from accepting leadership as long as Rebbi Pinchas Menachem remained in Gur. After Rebbi Pinchas Menachem relocated to Pilica—just days before Purim—the Imrei Emet experienced a change of heart and began leading his court, starting with a Purim gathering in his home. Multitudes flocked to the Rebbe of Pilz to receive his blessings, and many stories were told of his ability to bring healing and salvation. The holy Rabbi the Imrei Emes of Ger, testified to his grandson: ”In Heaven, they fulfill everything that your grandfather requests.” Many witnessed his prayers, which were filled with remarkable sincerity—like a child pleading before his father—and infused with pure fear of Heaven, leaving a profound impression above to bring salvation to all who mentioned their names before him. Like his grandfather, Rebbi Pinchas Menachem managed yeshivot in Pilica and Wieruszów, where young students studied. By 1912, he fell gravely ill and added the name ”Eliezer” as a spiritual remedy. From then on, he was known as Pinchas Menachem Eliezer. After living in Pilica for ten years, he moved with his family to Wieruszów and later to Częstochowa during World War I. He passed away on a Shabbat during seudah shlishit. His funeral was delayed until Monday due to a dispute between the communities of Pilica and Częstochowa over his burial site. Ultimately, it was decided that he would be buried in Częstochowa. According to tradition,