Bidspirit auction | The Holy of Holies: A

The Holy of Holies: A Letter by the Admor Rabbi Avraham Yaakov (the First) of Sadigura - ”May Hashem protect them from all distress, so that no harm shall befall them, and may their days and years be increased in goodness and pleasantness, and may they delight in abundant blessing and peace, as is the soul of one who seeks the good of his people, desires their success, speaks righteousness, and prays on their behalf and for all of Israel.” An important letter, filled with blessings, authored by one of the greatest Rebbes of his generation, the miracle worker, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov I of Sadigura, son and successor of ”The King of Israel, ” Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. Sadigura, MarCheshvan 1871 (תרל”א). Never before published! A Public Letter to the Community of Kaminetz and Surrounding Towns This lengthy letter, addressed to ”the residents of the holy community of Kaminetz and the nearby villages, ” is a heartfelt appeal from the Rebbe of Sadigura, urging the community to support the impoverished: ”Let them awaken their hearts to have mercy on the thousands of Jewish souls... for famine has gripped the land due to the terrible cost of living... and let them strengthen all the institutions of charity... and let each individual strive to increase their donation, according to the blessing of Hashem upon them... so that the blessing may rise ever higher.” At the conclusion of the letter, the holy Rebbe bestows a powerful and rare blessing, as none of his words ever returned empty: ”I bestow my blessing upon them, for in this merit, may Hashem protect them from all distress, so that no harm shall befall them, and may their days and years be increased in goodness and pleasantness, and may they delight in abundant blessing and peace, as is the soul of one who seeks the good of his people, desires their success, speaks righteousness, and prays on their behalf and for all of Israel. Avraham Yaakov son of our master, Rabbi Yisrael.” Handwritten by the Scribe, Signed by the Holy Rebbe As was the custom among the Rebbes of Ruzhin, this letter was written by a scribe and signed in the rare and sacred handwriting of the Rebbe himself. The book Igrot HaRebbe MiRuzhin U’Banaiv (Jerusalem, 2003, p. 27) states: ”Our holy masters did not compose letters in their own handwriting. Their letters were always written by their trusted attendants, who stood guard over their sacred duties, and only signed with their holy hand.” This particular letter does not appear among the 100+ letters printed in the book above and, to the best of our knowledge, has never been published in any book. In the introduction to Igrot HaRebbe MiRuzhin U’Banaiv (p. 20), it is written: ”These letters, safeguarded like precious gems in archives, libraries, and the hands of devoted chassidim, are treasured beyond measure. But an original letter bearing the actual signature of these holy figures—such an item has no equal in the eyes of chassidim. Such letters were preserved with the utmost care, passed down from father to son, from generation to generation. They were regarded with reverence and awe, treated as sacred amulets for protection and success.” [1] page of paper, 19 x 19.5 cm. Handwritten by the Rebbe’s scribe. Signed in the Rebbe’s own holy handwriting, in blue ink. Condition: Good. Professionally restored with expert conservation techniques. Some words are slightly faded due to age. Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman (the First) of Sadigura (1820–1883) One of the greatest Rebbes of his time, to whom many other Rebbes were subordinate. He was regarded as the primary representative of Ruzhin chassidus in his generation. Son and successor of his father, the holy Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin (who passed away on 3 MarCheshvan 1850). Continued his father’s majestic leadership style, yet he himself was known for his asceticism and holiness, to the point that he minimized his food intake so drastically that his organs physically shrank. Son-in-law of the Rebbe Rabbi Aharon of Karlin, author of Beit Aharon. Dedicated much of his time to rectifying the souls of the departed, whom he claimed would appear to him in visions, seeking spiritual atonement. Renowned as a miracle worker and one who could see hidden matters, he, like his father, often told wondrous stories filled with profound meaning. His father, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, testified that he and his brother, Rabbi David Moshe of Chortkov, possessed ”the hidden light”, enabling them to see things from afar—marvelous and concealed matters.