Bidspirit auction | “I am currently in need

“I am currently in need of considerable funds for the residents of the Holy Land” — A Rare Handwritten Letter from the Tzaddik Rabbi Meir Yechiel HaLevi of Ostrovtsa – 1904 * A handwritten and autographed letter seeking funds on behalf of the Jewish residents of the Holy Land, by the tzaddik Rabbi Meir Yechiel HaLevi of Ostrovtsa. The deep affection of the Rav of Ostrovtsa for the poor of Eretz Yisrael was well known; he worked hard to raise funds and send support to the Holy Land. He would often say: “I am from Eretz Yisrael — only, to my sorrow, my temporary dwelling is in Ostrovtsa.” Letters from him are exceedingly rare and have almost never appeared at public auction. Rabbi Meir Yechiel HaLevi Halstock of Ostrovtza (1852-1928) was well-known for his tremendous love for the poor of Eretz Yisrael, and he worked hard to secure for them charity. A genius in both the hidden and revealed Torah, his brilliance was legendary, surpassing all the scholars of Poland. He served as the Rav of Ostrovtza for forty years, during which time he fasted throughout the day and ate only at night, and he also observed frequent taaniyos dibbur (periods of abstaining from speech). His prayers would last for hours, and his siddur would be soaked with tears. A small portion of his Torah chiddushim is published in the sefer Ohr Torah. The letter was sent to his chassidic disciple, Rabbi Yitzchak Gavriel, son of Rabbi Chaim of Radzin, who was bound with deep love to the Ostrovtsa dynasty. He later settled in Tzfat and was regarded as one of the prominent chassidim there. Ostrovtsa, 1904 . Postcard, entirely in his holy handwriting and with his signature. Size : 9 × 14.2 cm. Condition : Good. Folding marks at the corners. Provenance : Genazym Auction (2020).