Bidspirit auction | Sacred letter from the “Lover

Sacred letter from the “Lover of Israel” — the holy gaon Rabbi Chanoch Tzvi HaKohen Levin of Bendin, son-in-law of the Gerrer Rebbe, author of the Sefat Emet - Extremely rare and highly important letter, entirely in the sacred handwriting and bearing the signature of the holy gaon Rabbi Chanoch Tzvi (Hirsch Henich) HaKohen Levin of Bendin, one of the most illustrious rabbinic figures of Poland in the generation preceding the Holocaust; Av Beit Din and renowned rabbi of the city of Bendin; and son-in-law of the Gerrer Rebbe, author of the Sefat Emet. Bendin [Poland], 3 Shemot 5689 (1929). The letter was sent from Poland to the Holy Land and contains greetings and matters concerning Hasidim who had immigrated to Eretz Israel. Within his words, the Rabbi of Bendin mentions the “Saba Kadisha, ” Rabbi Shlomo Eliphandri, with whom he met during the famous visit to the Land of Israel by the three great luminaries of Polish Jewry: the Gerrer Rebbe, author of the Imrei Emet; his brother-in-law, the Rabbi of Bendin (author of this sacred letter); and the Rebbe of Sokółów. This visit took place at the request of leading rabbis in Eretz Israel and the Diaspora, in order to assess the stature of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook following allegations raised by extremist circles. This is not a casual reference, but rather a significant testimony to a direct and ongoing relationship between one of the greatest rabbis of Poland and the Saba Kadisha, among the foremost sages of Jerusalem. The Rabbi of Bendin, known for his exceptional compassion for every Jew—earning him the epithet “Ohev Yisrael” (Lover of Israel) in Poland—expresses this defining trait in the present letter as well. Writing to the recipient, he notes: “I have written to my brother-in-law R’ Mendel Braber in Jaffa, and he will give to Your Honor on my behalf.” Although he does not specify the nature of the gift, the continuation—“Were I able, I would send more”—clearly indicates that it refers to financial assistance. This letter thus provides direct evidence of the personal involvement of the Rabbi of Bendin in the affairs of Jews living in the Land of Israel—not as distant leadership, but as concrete action, carried out through personal contacts in Jaffa. The letter reflects a living and active Hasidic-personal network linking Poland and Eretz Israel already in the year 1929. Biographical Note The holy gaon Rabbi Chanoch Tzvi (Hirsch Henich) HaKohen Levin of Bendin (5631–5695 / 1871–1935), great-grandson of the holy tzaddik Rabbi Chanoch Henich of Alexander, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, the Gerrer Rebbe and author of the Sefat Emet. He stood alongside his father-in-law and his brother-in-law, the Gerrer Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, in founding and strengthening the institutions of Orthodox Jewry, including Agudat Yisrael, the Yesodei HaTorah network of Talmud Torah schools, the Beit Yaakov educational movement, and more. After the First World War he was appointed Av Beit Din of Bendin and became a beacon of Torah, fear of Heaven, and Hasidism throughout Poland. He was a member of the Council of Torah Sages and was regarded as one of the leading rabbinic luminaries of his generation. Most of his many writings were lost in the upheavals of the era; only a small number of his sacred writings survived and were later published in the volume Yikahen Pe’er. Physical description: One sheet, approx. 13 × 22 cm. Entirely in the Rebbe’s own handwriting, with his signature and seal. Condition: Very good.