Bidspirit auction | Handwritten & Autographed Letter by

Handwritten & Autographed Letter by Rabbi Moshe Meislish, Av Beis Din of Premishla,   1902 * Handwritten and autographed letter by Rabbi Moshe Meislish, Av Beis Din of Premishla, son and successor of Rabbi Chanina Yosef Lipa Meislish. Rabbi Moshe Meislish (1845–1925) served as Av Beis Din of Premishla and was celebrated from a young age for his sharp intellect and profound scholarship. He received semicha from the Sho’el U’Meishiv. By the age of 23, he had already compiled Klil Tiferes, a commentary on his father’s sefer, Tiferes Yosef. A prolific author, Rabbi Meislish maintained extensive correspondence with leading sages of his time. Unfortunately, most of his writings, including a collection of responsa, were lost during the Holocaust. (Wunder, Encyclopedia of Galician Sages, vol. 3, pp. 812–813). “Rabbi Moshe Meislish was among the outstanding gaonim of his time, and counted among the last great Polish gaonim who served within the Jewish communities…” (HaDarom, vol. 3, New York 1957, p. 15). In the present letter, Rabbi Moshe intercedes on behalf of a Jew in a certain matter (unspecified in the text). The letter was sent to the sofer Rabbi Elyakim Getzil Pfeffer of Mozhaysk, where Rabbi Moshe served in the rabbinate until 1896. Rabbi Elyakim himself originated from Premishla, and from the tone of the letter it appears that they were close acquaintances, as Rabbi Moshe concludes his letter: “from He who seeks your welfare with love, with feelings of utmost respect.” Premishla, 1902. Postcard. Entirely in the handwriting and with the signature of Rabbi Moshe Meislish. Size: 8.8 x 13.9. Condition: Fold marks and faint stains.