Bidspirit auction | Letter from the First Rebbe

Letter from the First Rebbe of Antanya to the Hasidim in Safed. Stanislaw, 5684 [1924] - ”They shall be inscribed and sealed for long and good lives” A rare letter [over 80 words] handwritten and signed with his intricate signature by the founder of the Antanya dynasty, the holy Rabbi Chaim Hager, son of the Imrei Baruch of Vizhnitz. Stanislaw, 4th day of Selichot, 5684 [1924]. The letter is addressed to the Hasidim of Antanya in Safed, led by Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Geiger. It discusses the well-known *Chalukah* funds sent by the Vizhnitz Rebbes to emigrants from their countries in Eretz Yisrael. The Rebbe specifies the sums and instructs: ”Distribute them in Yaakov to each one appropriately.” Amidst disputes among the various kolels, the Rebbe blesses them: ”May there be peace in their borders, tranquility in their palaces.” The date of the letter, ”the 4th day of Selichot, ” coincided that year with the 25th of Elul, the day marking the creation of the world. During these Days of Awe, the Rebbe of Antanya blesses: *”May He who sits on the Throne of Mercy inscribe and seal for a good writing and sealing, for the honor of my esteemed Hasidic friends, God-fearing and residing in the holy city of Safed... They shall be inscribed and sealed for long and good lives. Their loyal friend, Chaim, son of the righteous rabbi, zatzal.”* [1] Checkered paper leaf, approximately 22 cm. Good Condition. Fold marks. Time stains. The Rebbe informs them in the letter about the dispatch of support funds. Rabbi Chaim Hager of Antanya (1862–1932): The son of Rabbi Baruch Hager, the second Rebbe of Vizhnitz and author of *Imrei Baruch*. Rabbi Chaim was raised by his grandfather, the *Tzemach Tzaddik* of Vizhnitz. At the age of 13, he was ordained by great rabbis of Galicia, including Rabbi Shlomo Drimer, author of *Beit Shlomo*. Besides his Torah scholarship, he was a prayer leader and a composer; the second part of the Vizhnitz melody ”Odeh L’El” was composed by him. After his father’s passing in 1893, Rabbi Chaim established his court in the town of Ottynia, Eastern Galicia, attracting thousands of Hasidim. Following World War I, he relocated to Stanislaw, where he led his community until his passing. A man of great suffering, Rabbi Chaim underwent dozens of surgeries due to physical weakness. It is told that during one lengthy and complex surgery, the doctors sought to sedate him, but Rabbi Chaim refused. Instead, he requested a copy of the *Zohar*, a cigarette, and candles to be lit above him. After studying for half an hour, he instructed the doctors to begin the surgery, during which he remained motionless. The doctors marveled at this and the story was reported in the local press. He passed away while lighting the first Chanukah candle, after reciting the *Shehechiyanu* blessing. Most of his Torah writings were lost during the war, but some were published posthumously by his Hasidim in the books *Tal Chaim* on the Torah and *Nimukei Chaim* on the Talmud.