Bidspirit auction | The Kohen Gadol of Lublin.

The Kohen Gadol of Lublin. A Moving Appeal for Kosher Food for Jewish Soldiers in the Polish Army With the Signature of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin * A moving proclamation calling for the provision of kosher food for Jewish soldiers serving in the Polish army, bearing the signature of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin. The proclamation opens with an emotional appeal: “To you, men, I call… children of Avraham Avinu… We here in Lublin see the pressure and the distress, the outcry of our brothers, the children of Yisrael, military men who stand at their posts to serve in military duty… they have no kosher food to restore their souls.” It calls upon the Jews of Lublin to donate and assist a group of Jews from the nearby village of Wieniawa, close to Lublin, who undertook to supply kosher food to observant Jewish soldiers. The document bears the handwritten signatures of three Torah giants: - The ”Gaon of Lublin” Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Av Beis Din of Lublin and author of Shu”t Toras Chesed, with an additional line in his handwriting; - The ”Kohen Gadol of Lublin” Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, whose signatures are exceedingly rare; - The Admor Rabbi Avraham Eiger of Lublin. This is an unknown, important, and exceptionally unique document, remarkable both for its historical significance and for the sacred signatures of the tzaddikim and geonim of Lublin that adorn it. Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin (1823–1900), author of Pri Tzaddik, Tzidkas HaTzaddik, and many other works, he stands as one of the most majestic figures of Polish Rebbes. He was unique in his brilliance and in his awe-inspiring mastery of all the hidden and revealed treasures of Torah and in his unique approach. He studied Chassidus from the Izhbitzer Rebbe and from Rabbi Yehudah Leib Eiger, who described him as a “Sar HaTorah.” His sefer Pri Tzaddik is one of the foundational works of Kabbalah and chassidic thought. Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Av Beis Din of Lublin (1830–1902), known as “the Gaon of Lublin” or “the author of Toras Chesed, ” after his learned sefer that made him famous. He served as Rav of Lublin from 1868 until his aliyah to Eretz Yisrael in 1892. The Gaon of Lublin and the Kohen of Lublin were close friends. The Admor Rabbi Avraham Eiger of Lublin (1846–1914), author of Shevet MiYehudah, was the son of the Admor Rabbi Yehudah Leib Eiger, grandson of Rabbi Shlomo Eiger, and great-grandson of Rabbi Akiva Eiger. He became a Rebbe in 1888 in his father’s beis medrash in Lublin. Here he signs on the final day of the year of mourning for his father, adding the notation “הכ”מ” — hareni kaparas mishkavo — ”I hereby accept upon myself to be an atonement for his resting place.” (Rabbi Yehudah Leib Eiger passed away on 22 Shevat 1888, and this letter is dated 21 Shevat 1889.) Notably, after the passing of the Admor Rabbi Yehudah Leib Eiger, the Toras Chesed ensured that both Rabbi Tzadok, who had been close to Rabbi Yehudah Leib, and his son Rabbi Avraham, would accept upon themselves the mantle of Chassidic leadership. Lublin, 1889 . One leaf, size 19 × 30 cm. Scribal writing with original signatures. Small holes with minimal loss at the folds, a small tear at the margins, mounted on reinforcing paper. Thousands of Jewish soldiers were conscripted against their will into the Polish army. Beyond the brutal physical conditions and the pervasive antisemitism they endured, one challenge towered above the rest: the struggle for kosher food. The food they were served needless to say, were not kosher, serving almost exclusively forbidden foods—neveilos and treifos. Throughout long and difficult months, Jewish soldiers survived on little more than bread, water, and raw vegetables. Even this meager fare was not always enough to sustain life, and the daunting test of hunger was not easily withstood. Rabbinic leaders were deeply pained by this reality. They urged Jewish communities near the military bases to exert every possible effort to provide the soldiers with kosher food. Often, however, the authorities refused permission, forcing these efforts to be carried out quietly and at great personal risk. The Kol Korei presented here documents a rare opportunity to deliver kosher food to the soldiers, issuing a call to the Jews of Lublin to contribute and assist in support of this important initiative. _________________________ Throughout the generations, Jewish soldiers served by the thousands and tens of thousands in the armies of many nations. Beyond the harsh physical conditions, one of the most critical challenges they faced was kosher food, as the army naturally provided non-kosher fare. Here, the Jewish communities mobilized, taking responsibility to provide kosher food for the Jewish soldiers. ------------------------------------ Any inquiries about this lot ? We are also available on WhatsApp >>>