Bidspirit auction | A Letter from the Wondrous

A Letter from the Wondrous Tzaddik, the Rebbe of Bohush zy”a, to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Maimon - A short letter yet laden with profound spiritual and historical significance, written entirely in the holy hand and bearing the signature of the wondrous righteous figure and famed worker of salvations, the Rebbe of Bohush, Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman zy”a. The letter was written in Tel Aviv and addressed to Rabbi Yehuda Leib Maimon (Fishman), Israel’s first Minister of Religious Affairs and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Tel Aviv, [year not stated]. The Rebbe of Bohush was renowned for his compassionate heart and his total devotion to every Jew wherever he might be. Even while still in Romania, behind the Iron Curtain, he labored tirelessly to save Jews whom he did not know personally, even when such efforts entailed the risk of imprisonment and forced labor. His home stood wide open to stateless refugees, who found there shelter, assistance, and comfort. The letter before us likewise reflects his exalted character: the Rebbe seeks nothing for himself or for his institutions, but rather exerts the full weight of his influence with the highest governmental authorities—on behalf of arranging a home for the elderly for a lonely, destitute elderly woman from Bessarabia, who had no one to stand at her side in her old age. This is a letter of pure kindness, reflecting leadership imbued with responsibility for all of Israel and deep concern for the weak. The letter is written on both sides of the Rebbe’s personal business card, a detail that adds rarity and uniqueness to the item. Its content concerns the mitzvah of charity, and it concludes with an intriguing phrase, signed in his holy hand: “And the Holy One, blessed be He… to do only charity…” As is well known, the holy handwriting of the righteous of past generations—and especially their signatures—is regarded as possessing segulah and often serves as an amulet. All the more so this letter, which deals with charity and kindness and is signed by one of the greatest righteous figures of the generation, a famed tzaddik and miracle worker. [1] Printed business card on high-quality Bristol paper, 10 × 6 cm. Written on both sides, [9] lines in the Rebbe’s own hand and bearing his signature. Very good condition. Filing holes. Biography The Rebbe, Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman of Bohush (1903–1992), son of the Rebbe Rabbi Shalom Yosef of Shpikov and son-in-law of his uncle, the Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Bohush. From 1930 he served as Rebbe of Bohush and was among the most revered figures of Romanian Jewry. He served as president of the Kollel of Romania. He immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1951, established his beit midrash in Tel Aviv, and in 1987 moved to Bnei Brak. The Rebbe was known as one of the greatest workers of salvations of his generation, with ruach ha-kodesh openly manifest in his words. The sick were healed, barren women were blessed with children, and those in distress found deliverance through his prayers. He possessed piercing eyes and a merit as clear as crystal, with which he perceived distant matters; his responses were lucid and radiant, like the Urim and Tumim. Many witnessed firsthand how he directed lofty intentions and sacred unifications rooted in the holy writings of the Ari z”l, which he received from his holy forebears. He would pronounce the Divine Names audibly, almost as a mysterious and wondrous melody. The kiddush over wine on Friday night was a singular service: trembling and perspiring, he held the cup in his hand, his face aflame, his eyes turned heavenward and his lips ablaze—until all present at the tish could see how the wine in the cup seemed to bubble and boil. He became renowned as a wondrous tzaddik, and thousands flocked to his door for blessings and salvation. Even in his old age, his facial appearance retained the innocence of a child. May his merit protect us.