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LOT 46:
Interesting Letter from Rabbi Yisrael Ber Odesser, "Ba'al HaPetek"
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Interesting Letter from Rabbi Yisrael Ber Odesser, "Ba'al HaPetek"
" ... the main obstacle [to traveling to Uman] is money ..."
The letter is handwritten and signed by Rabbi Yisrael Ber Odesser 'Ba'al HaPetek' to Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, one of the prominent influential leaders of Breslov. Tiberias, on the Friday before the Torah portion Re'eh is read (just before Rosh HaShanah). Signed, "Yisrael Dov Breslover."
Rabbi Odesser shares the glad tidings of his son's birth in the letter, and invites R' Shmuel "and all our friends" to the ritual circumcision. Rabbi Odesser mentions Rabbi Shlomo Wexler in his letter as well. Rabbi Odesser also mentions that the major obstacles he has with respect to traveling to Uman, and emphasizes that the main obstacle is financial. This is a practical matter (to our regret) in our days, too, for many Breslov Chassidim.
Rabbi Yisrael Dov Ber Odesser [1886-1995] was also known as 'Ba'al HaPetek' and 'Saba Yisrael.' When he was a child, he found the book Hishtapchut HaNefesh without the binding and he did not know the author's identity. He was very impressed with the book and studied it consistently, and began to implement that which was written in it, especially seclusion [התבודדות]. Over time, a group of Chassidim gathered around him and studied with him. He called those close to him "friends" - as can be seen from the letter before us - and distanced himself from rabbinic conduct. Rabbi Odesser is known for a note (petek) he found in 1922 among the leaves of a book, which contained the catchphrase "Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman" ["נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן"]. He believed this note was written to him by Rabbi Nachman, who had passed away about 110 years earlier, and came to him in a miraculous way. This story brought more Chassidim to him, and the creation of a group whose members refer to themselves as "Na-Nachim." These disciples began to spread this catchphrase and the story of the note.
The tumultuous life story and holy ways of the addressee, Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, appear in his book, Yemei Shmuel.
[1] leaf paper, 20 cm, entirely written and signed by him; fine condition. Fold marks. Tiny tears in the margins, without lack. Minimal ink smudges.
