Bidspirit auction | Covenant document to establish a

Covenant document to establish a Mishnayot and Bikur Cholim society in the city of Kaminetz, from the year 1762 – an important historical document for the study of the history of Chassidut regarding the extended family of the holy brothers of Kamenka – very possibly written by one of the members of the holy fellowship! Presented here is a Ktav Hitkashrut entered into by eighteen distinguished members of Kamenka, in which they resolved and committed themselves to study every day after Shacharit two chapters of Mishnayot without fail. They also accepted upon themselves to study daily Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, as well as to exert themselves greatly in fulfilling the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, among other commitments. In the deed, the members of the society fined themselves specific sums of money for any regulation transgressed, even under compulsion. The deed is dated 15 Av 1762. The most notable signatories whose signatures were copied into this deed are the holy Rabbi Shmuel of Kamenka and his brother-in-law, the holy Rabbi Yosef of Kamenka. In addition, several other members of the “Marbeinu” family – the famed Holy Brothers of Kamenka – are signed, individuals whose very existence was unknown until the discovery of this document. The father of the Holy Brothers of Kamenka was the holy Rabbi David “Marbeinu, ” Magid of the holy congregation of Kamenka. Their family was called by this title because they were direct descendants, generation after generation, of the Rosh (Rabbeinu Asher). It is known that Maran the Baal Shem Tov zy”a greatly revered this holy family, speaking about them in the highest terms. Tradition relates that the Baal Shem Tov said: “Rabbi David with his sons are the souls of Yishai Beit HaLachmi and his sons.” He also said of the brothers: “The seven branches of the Menorah.” Furthermore, he told his only son, the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch, that he desired a marriage alliance with this family – and so it was (see Or Yekarot, R. Shalom Chaim Perush, vol. 4, p. 144ff). Although this is a copy (from the 18th century), it is nevertheless an important historical document through which much vital knowledge has come to light regarding the “Marbeinu” family – the family of the Holy Brothers of Kamenka. One significant piece of information revealed through this document is that until its discovery, scholars mistakenly thought that the holy Rabbi Yosef of Kamenka was one of the Holy Brothers of Kamenka. But from this document, it is clear that he was their brother-in-law, not their brother (the brothers were sons of the holy Rabbi David “Marbeinu, ” while Rabbi Yosef signs as the son of Rabbi Yissachar Ber). This document was published, together with a detailed study, in the first volume of Siftei Tzaddikim, printed in 1989, p. 33ff. [1] Leaf (2 written pages). 21 cm. Good–fair condition. Wear along fold marks.