Bidspirit auction | ”May You Succeed in the

”May You Succeed in the Lottery” – One of the Most Extraordinary Letters of the Tzaddik of Graetz – Over 700 Words Entirely in His Autograph Hand - An exceptionally long and remarkable autograph letter, entirely handwritten and signed by the holy gaon, kabbalist, and wonder-working tzaddik Rabbi Eliyahu Gutmacher of Graetz, one of the foremost disciples of Rabbi Akiva Eiger. Addressed to his beloved son, the gaon Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Gutmacher, author of the renowned segulah work Ken Meforashet. Containing more than 700 words, it is among the longest, most comprehensive, and most fascinating letters known from the Tzaddik of Graetz. Graetz, [undated]. The present letter is unlike any other known letter by Rabbi Eliyahu Gutmacher. It is divided into seven distinct sections, each separated by horizontal dividing lines. In effect, it comprises seven independent units of content, each standing on its own and illuminating a different facet of the Tzaddik of Graetz. The first section opens with an in-depth Torah discussion between father and son concerning whether a particular word should be deleted from the Talmudic text in Tractate Yoma. Rabbi Gutmacher presents a brilliant halachic analysis, citing proofs from throughout the Talmud and from the teachings of the Vilna Gaon. This section sheds new light on his legacy. Although remembered primarily as a miracle worker, saintly kabbalist, and spiritual guide to whom thousands flocked seeking blessings and healing, he was also one of the outstanding Torah scholars of his generation, the foremost disciple of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, and an authority who corresponded with the leading rabbinic figures of his day. This passage offers a rare glimpse into that lesser-known aspect of his greatness. The discussion then turns to intimate family matters of the sort found only in private correspondence between father and son: preparations for a family wedding, communication with the future in-laws, discussion of the wedding date, and other personal news. The second section is among the rarest known in Rabbi Gutmacher's correspondence. It records a forceful halachic debate concerning a circumcision delayed until shortly before sunset. Rabbi Gutmacher writes in unusually sharp language: ”My beloved son… keep far from disputes, ” followed by ”I see much brazenness in him, ” and ”I am astonished at my students if they have entirely forgotten what they learned from me.” He further refers to the Chayei Adam and Nishmat Adam regarding cholent on Shabbat. Such emphatic expressions are exceedingly uncommon in his surviving letters and provide a rare window into his personality as a halachic authority and communal leader. One of the most surprising sections concerns livelihood and the lottery. When his son is unable to find a buyer for a certain property, Rabbi Gutmacher offers the simple advice of purchasing a lottery ticket, writing: ”May God, in His mercy, grant you success this time in the lottery.” He continues: ”Regarding the lottery, I have written to …, but so far he has not informed me of anything.” Although Rabbi Gutmacher became renowned for blessings associated with lottery tickets and many stories of remarkable successes are linked to this practice, we are unaware of any other surviving letter in which he refers to the lottery so explicitly. The second page is written in Yiddish-German and is likewise divided into three separate sections by horizontal lines. This portion has not yet been studied and almost certainly contains additional historical, biographical, and spiritual material of considerable importance. The letter concludes with Rabbi Gutmacher's autograph signature: ”The words of your father, the humble Eliyahu son of our teacher Rabbi Shlomo, of the holy community of Graetz.” Rabbi Eliyahu Gutmacher was one of the most extraordinary rabbinic personalities of the nineteenth century. Although among the greatest disciples of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and one of the leading Torah authorities of his generation, he became world-famous primarily as a miracle worker whose blessings were sought by tens of thousands. Numerous traditions connect him with remarkable successes involving the lottery. Particularly well known is the letter of Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, who, during a period of severe financial hardship in Jerusalem, asked Rabbi Gutmacher to purchase a lottery ticket on his behalf and include him as a partner, writing: ”If Your Honor would be willing to trouble yourself and purchase a quarter lottery ticket… kindly acquire one half for me and the other half for the Kollel Perushim… perhaps merit will come through one so righteous as yourself… and I ask that in your prayers you remember me favorably, that God provide me with my livelihood in the Holy Land, so that I may dwell peacefully in Jerusalem.” Throughout the generations,