Bidspirit auction | Letter of Blessings by the

Letter of Blessings by the Admor Rabbi Dovid Moshe of Chortkov, son of Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin. Founder of the Chortkov dynasty * A letter overflowing with blessings, with the handwritten signature of the first Rebbe of Chortkov, Rabbi Dovid Moshe Friedman, son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. In the letter, he writes: “I hereby give you my blessing, that Hashem, may He be blessed, be at your side to strengthen you further in your Torah. May the will of Hashem succeed in your hand, that you increase Torah and glorify it, and that you not stumble, Heaven forbid, in any matter of halacha. May you have an abundance of wellbeing and much success. May you merit to learn and to teach, to observe and to perform, with an abundance of nachas and material ease, with sons and grandsons engaged in Torah and mitzvos. Such is my earnest supplication on your behalf, for your good, all the days of your life, together with all of Yisrael.” The letter was sent to the Gaon Rabbi Aryeh Leibush Horowitz, Av Beis Din of Stryi and Stanislav, one of the leading rabbanim of Galicia who was close to the Rebbe of Chortkov. It was written in response to the sending of his renowned sefer, Shu”t Harei Besamim (Rohatyn, 1897). The Admor Rabbi Dovid Moshe Friedman of Chortkov (1828–1904), founder of the Chortkov dynasty, was the fifth son of the holy Ruzhiner, the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. On the day of his birth, his father proclaimed that a great soul had descended to the world, one destined to draw Klal Yisrael closer to their Father in Heaven. It is well known that Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin had six sons and stated that they corresponded to the six orders of the Mishnah; regarding his son Rabbi Dovid Moshe he said that he corresponded to Seder Kodshim and that he was “kodesh kodashim — holy of holies.” After his father’s passing in 1851, Rabbi Dovid Moshe led his community for more than fifty years, and the very finest of Galicia's rabbanim were counted among his chassidim. Rabbi Dovid Moshe led his Chassidus with the majesty and glory modeled by his father, although he personally devoted countless hours to learning Torah in seclusion and abstained from the mundane pleasures of this world. He spoke minimally, with succinct, measured words. His brother, the Admor Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, remarked that “he is the holiest Jew I have ever seen.” Chortkov, 1897 . One leaf, size 13 × 23 cm. Written in the handwriting of the gabbai Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Sternberg, with the actual handwritten signature of the Rebbe. Condition : Good. The letter was printed in Iggros HaRuzhiner u’Banav, vol. III, letter 316. -------------------------- Attached to the letter are two additional letters from the renowned gabbai Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Sternberg, both likewise filled with blessings conveyed from the Rebbe. The first letter contains an apology for the delay in response, explaining that the Rebbe wished to sign the above letter personally in his own handwriting, “and not every day and not every hour is fitting that His Honor the Rebbe sign with his holy hand.” Included in the letter are words in the name of his son, Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Chortkov, stating that the sefer Harei Besamim found great favor in his eyes, together with remarks on matters relating to a shochet in a certain community. He further writes in his name, “And he blessed the distinguished gaon with a Kesiva Vechasima Tova in the Book of the Righteous, and with all good.” The second letter , dated Fifth Day of Selichos, 1897, concerns esrogim for the Rebbe. It reports that the Rebbe decided to take two esrogim, one from Eretz Yisroel and one from Corfu, both established as not grafted. The letter concludes with many blessings in the name of the Rebbe: ”And the Rebbe shlita blesses the great gaon that Hashem write and seal you in the book of the righteous for life and health, together with your household, for a good and blessed year filled with all good, that you merit to marry off your daughter soon with much nachas and material ease, that you merit to raise your children in the path of Torah with abundance of nachas and material ease, and that Hashem grant enduring health to you and to your household in completeness, goodness, and kindness, forever.” ------------------------------------- Any inquiries about this lot? We are also available on WhatsApp >>>