Bidspirit auction | Handwritten and Autographed Teshuva by

Handwritten and Autographed Teshuva by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov 1903 * Lengthy halachic response discussing intricate matters concerning treifos of the lung by the Admor Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira, Av Beis Din of Bluzhov and author of 'Tzvi LaTzaddik'. Original letters by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Bluzhov are exceedingly rare. The teshuva concludes with a blessing: ”These are the words of his beloved friend and relative, who seeks his welfare lovingly and prays on his behalf, that he may merit to learn and teach Torah peacefully and expansively, according to his desire and according to the desire of the one who signs with great love, Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov.” The teshuva was printed in his sefer 'Tzvi LaTzaddik', siman 28, though without the aforementioned closing lines, as well as without the opening lines and date. see here The holy Admor Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov (1841-1924) was one of the great Rebbes of Galicia and the founder of the Bluzhov dynasty. He was the son of Rabbi Dovid of Dinov, author of 'Tzemach Dovid, ' and grandson of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov, the author of 'Bnei Yissaschar.' He was born several months after his grandfather's passing and was named after him. Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech was an extraordinary Torah genius, whose halachic rulings were sought from every corner of Galicia and beyond. His primary teacher, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, called him ”the pillar of Torah”. The Maharsham of Brezan humorously remarked that it was fortunate Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech was also a Rebbe; had he been merely a Rav, all the other Rabbanim would have had to become shoemakers by comparison. He merited bringing about many salvations and whoever received his blessings saw their fulfillment. Even his revered Rebbe, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, asked him to bless him. The teshuva was sent to the renowned shochet and bodek Rabbi Yonah Tzvi HaLevi Helfert of Makova, author of the sefer ”Mareh Re'ah”. At the beginning of the teshuva, the Rebbe apologizes for the delay in his response, noting: ”This is not the time of year to delve into other matters, as the days of miracles (Chanukah) are approaching, and my custom every year at this season is to study the topic of Chanukah.” The last two lines are with absolute certainty in the holy handwriting and signature of the Tzvi LaTzaddik. Although the ink of the main body of the teshuvah appears different from that of the final two lines, it cannot be ignored that it bears a strong resemblance to his handwriting as well. Therefore, it seems likely that he set aside the teshuvah in order to review it, and afterwards, in different ink, he added the closing lines and his signature. However, we do not state this conclusively. The owner of the manuscript who entrusted the teshuvah to Genazym is a reliable source, and in his family it was held with certainty that the entire teshuvah is in the holy handwriting of theTzvi LaTzaddik. Bluzhov, 1903. One leaf, size: 21 x 34 cm, double-sided. Condition: A few stains, fold marks, and a few individual letters missing at the creases.