Bidspirit auction | Letter from Rabbi Moshe David

Letter from Rabbi Moshe David Teitelbaum Av Beit Din of Lapus, with Assistance for his Brother-in-Law, a Scribe in his Family's Hometown, Sighet. 1912 - ”I wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes” Unique letter, for assistance to his brother-in-law, a sofer sta”m  in Sighet in severe financial straits, with wise and effective advice about how to improve his lot without informing him, from Rabbi Moshe David Teitelbaum, av beit din  of Lapus - beloved grandson of the gaon the author of Yitev Lev , to the scribe's father - his in-law ” Muchtar b'Chassidut ” Rabbi Yosef Frankel, an emissary in the United States. Rabbi Teitelbaum was visiting his ancestors' hometown of Sighet, where he saw the financial distress of his brother-in-law [son of Rabbi Yosef Frankel of Sighet] and that of his entire family. He was a sofer sta”m  who should ostensibly have been able to respectably support his family, or at least keep them from poverty. Yet Rabbi Teitelbaum sees full-fledged poverty right in front of his eyes - ”I wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes.” He then considers what the reason could be for his relative's lack of success in supporting his family, and reaches the conclusion that it is because he does not have the financial wherewithal to purchase the supplies he requires in large quantities, such as parchment, straps, and leather for batim . When a customer arrives to make a purchase, he does not have anything immediately available to give him, because he has no one from whom to borrow funds for this purpose, and he needs about 50 silver rubles. As such, he appeals to his father to send this sum from the United States, - a sum equal to only about $20, and that he send it to a friend in Sighet. He will then buy the merchandise so that he has some at home. And when his son needs, he can buy even in small quantities, but he will always have the principal without concern, and this will bring well-being to his son. Rabbi Teitelbaum notes that he himself is not in a position to help, ”because I do what I can, and [you] know the status of a rabbi such as myself here in this country.” At the end of his letter, he asks for clarification about a Jew who fled to the United States and left his wife and children behind - if he can locate him in New York. Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Moshe David Teitelbaum, av beit din  of Lapus . [1] double leaf. Three written pages. Official stationery. Entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Teitelbaum. 55 lines, Size: 14x22 cm. Fold-mark [the fold is not evident, but the words are blurred in the fold line]. Very fine condition.