Bidspirit auction | A long and fascinating letter

A long and fascinating letter in the holy handwriting of the hidden kabbalist and tzaddik, Rabbi Yosef Waltuch – sent to his beloved friend, the wondrous Gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yehuda Zerachya Segal, rabbi of “Kiryat Shalom” in Tel Aviv – Menachem Av 1958. Revelations from the mysteries of creation concerning souls before their descent into this world, and abundant blessings for enduring offspring, “and healing, salvations, and all good forever” – with a pearl (of wisdom) that he heard from the Admor of Bohush ztz”l. Three-page letter with three handwritten signatures. On the third page, Rabbi Waltuch records what he heard from the Admor of Bohush, Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman: “I heard something good from the Bohusher Rebbe shlit”a: ‘Who does good and bestows good to the wicked and to the righteous.’ The tzaddik who is good bestows good upon both wicked and righteous, transforming the wicked so that they truly become good.” Rabbi Yosef Waltuch (1922–1983) – a hidden tzaddik, descendant of the Maggid Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. He was among the leaders of the group of hidden tzaddikim of Tel Aviv, which included “the Cobbler” (Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Ravikov), “the Tile Layer” (Rabbi Avraham Fish), “the Painter” (Rabbi Yehuda Patilon), and others. Rabbi Yosef Waltuch would frequently prostrate himself on the graves of tzaddikim and holy places, effecting salvations through his prayers. He lived his entire life with suffering and did not merit children (as with most of the Nistarim), yet he served God all his days with sublime joy. Stories of miraculous wonders and revelations of Ruach Hakodesh circulated about him even in his lifetime. He passed away suddenly after fainting inside the Cave of the Idra. Rabbi Ben Zion Mutzafi shlit”a, who merited knowing him, wrote: “…He was a great Torah scholar, a chassid, humble and of broken spirit. He suffered much, yet was hidden and modest… I merited to study with him, perhaps often. He was like a jar filled with all delicacies of Torah – Talmud and Midrashim, Zohar and Kabbalah, commentaries and mussar works, halachic decisors and law books – all lay within his mind. He also possessed vast knowledge of history and the annals of our people; there was no sage or author from any generation whose name and period Rabbi Yosef Waltuch did not know. He greatly honored the sages of Torah, both departed and living. He bore pains and illnesses in silence, wandering from place to place with only his books, Tallit, and Tefillin. He was acquainted with many of the great men of the generation, especially those who, like him, were hidden. He lived in a very modest room, most of his life alone, as his wife was ill and hospitalized. He spent holidays, Sabbaths, and weekdays alone with his Creator, without any worldly possessions, without even someone to wash a handkerchief or socks for him. He was holy, he was a giant, and he would not allow people to speak his praises or reveal his hidden deeds.” Folded letter. [2] leaves (3 written pages). 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Fold marks.