Bidspirit auction | Important letter from Rebbe Yoel

Important letter from Rebbe Yoel of Satmar Against Autopsies Brooklyn, 1967 * Important letter bearing the sacred handwritten signature of the Admor Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar concerning “the dreadful situation of the evil decree of autopsies in Eretz Yisrael”. The Rebbe fought with all his might to prevent autopsies, and expressed about it that “never has such a vile decree been heard from one end of the world to the other” (Divrei Yoel Letters I, Letter 85). He organized fervent protests abroad, in which Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the Admor of Papa, and many other great Rabbanim of America took part in. On each day of the protests, he would fast the entire day (Vaya’an David, Orach Chaim, p. 155). In Eretz Yisrael, the organization “Defenders of Human Dignity” was established in opposition to the autopsies, headed by Rabbi Raphael Soloveitchik, “son of the righteous Gaon R”Z of Brisk, of blessed memory” – this is Rabbi Yitzchav Zev Soloveitchik, commonly referred to as as the Brisker Rav who also, from his place in Eretz Yisrael, advocated strongly in protest against the autopsies. In the present letter, the Rebbe calls upon every individual to support the organization’s activities related to the campaign, “to assist in such an important matter and great mitzvah.” He concludes with a blessing: “And may Hashem have mercy upon His nation and His land, that the evil decree be annulled speedily, and we should merit a year of redemption and salvation.” At the end of the letter, the Rebbe signed in his holy handwriting: “The katan [humble] Yoel Teitelbaum” Brooklyn, 13 Tishrei 1967. Written by a scribe, with the Rebbe’s handwritten signature. Size: 13.8 x 21 cm. Condition: Good, some stains. This letter was printed in Divrei Yoel, Letters I, Letter 94.