Bidspirit auction | Important Content: A letter (approximately

Important Content: A letter (approximately 1800 words!) from the ”Wonder of the Generation, ” the holy gaon Rabbi Shabtai Shaptil Weiss, Av Beit Din of Simonyi - A particularly lengthy letter sent by the wonder-worker, the holy gaon Rabbi Shabtai Shaptil Weiss, author of Hilchta Rabbata LeShabta, to his foremost disciple. The letter is filled with Torah teachings, mystical insights, and esoteric matters. Entirely in his holy handwriting and bearing his autograph. The letter was sent to his prominent disciple, Rabbi Feivel Buchinger, rabbi of Ipolyság, who transcribed his Torah insights and letters, which were later printed in the collection Likutim U’Inyanim Shonim, within the book Hilchta Rabbata LeShabta. This long letter (approximately 1800 words) contains various important topics, including: Customs of Pesach: the significance of dipping the karpas in salt water or vinegar (from his words, it appears that the main dipping should be in vinegar, contrary to common custom). He also connects the concept of the afikoman to the verse “Your brother came with cunning and took your blessing” — implying he brought the afikoman (possibly an allusion to the custom of stealing the afikoman). Most of the second page discusses “the sons of Keturah” — the children of Hagar, Abraham’s concubine, named Keturah (the nation of the Ishmaelites, who, according to the Zohar, will be the final exile before the coming of the Messiah). And much more. [1] One letter paper sheet, 23 x 29.5 cm. Fully written on both sides, entirely in his holy handwriting and bearing his autograph. Good condition. The letter is preserved within thin lamination for protection. Biography: The holy gaon Rabbi Shabtai Shaptil Weiss, “The Shimanier Rav” (1866–1943), was one of the great wonder-workers of Hungary in the generation before the Holocaust. He was widely believed to possess revealed divine inspiration, and multitudes sought his blessings. A foundation of sanctity: In the community ledger of Pressburg, it is written that when the Rabbi was born and his mother lay near his cradle, a mysterious elder appeared, pointed at the ceiling, the cradle, and the adjacent room. The Rabbi’s mother called her husband (the Rabbi’s father) who had just returned home, and told him what she saw. He immediately ordered that the baby and his mother be moved to the adjacent room — and no sooner had they done so, the ceiling in the original room collapsed. The Ksav Sofer zt”l, who served as the sandek, stayed for the entire bris meal and said: “I will partake in this meal, for Elijah the Prophet has appeared here.” Words from the sages of the generation: When Rabbi Weiss came to meet the holy gaon the Maharid of Belz, the Rebbe accompanied him to the street — a highly unusual occurrence. When he returned home, he excitedly told those present: “We cannot imagine the lofty souls possessed by the rabbis of Hungary.” Likewise, when one of Rabbi Weiss’s relatives came to seek blessing from the Mahar”a of Belz, and mentioned that he was related to the Rabbi, the Rebbe said: “Whoever has such a holy relative does not need to come here for salvation.” The holy gaon Rabbi Mordechai Rokach zt”l, Av Beit Din of Bulgaria, said that Rabbi Weiss performed miracles like the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. He recounted that Rabbi Weiss once sat in a sukkah while it rained, but remained dry — the area around him remained untouched by rain. His teacher, the Shevet Sofer zt”l of Pressburg, praised him with exceptional titles, such as “expert in treifot like Rabbi Yochanan.” After his wedding, Rabbi Weiss became close to the famed gaon Rabbi Moshe Yosef Hoffmann of Papa, calling him his teacher. Rabbi Hoffmann, in turn, highly regarded him and referred to him with lofty titles, even while Rabbi Weiss was still quite young. His miracles and words: Hundreds and thousands came to seek his counsel and blessings, and everything he said was fulfilled exactly as spoken. When a great gaon once asked him how he knew that his blessings were effective, Rabbi Weiss replied: “Through the power of Torah.” In the introduction to his book Hilchta Rabbata LeShabta, many wondrous miracles are documented. Here are just a few examples: A young man once came to him, seeking exemption from army service. Rabbi Weiss told him, “When you see my image, you will be saved.” When the boy arrived at the draft center and stood in line, he suddenly saw the image of the Rabbi before him and fainted — and was immediately released. Another time, a different boy came with a similar request. Rabbi Weiss instructed him to accept an extra hour of Torah study, and then gave him a small dish of goose fat to rub on his back the night before the draft. The boy did so, and suddenly developed a severe cough. The next morning, the army doctor released him on the spot due to suspected lung illness. After his release, the boy returned to the Rabbi, worried for his health.