Bidspirit auction | Hesped for Rabbi Shalom Yosef

Hesped for Rabbi Shalom Yosef of Sadigura, Son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin – Lemberg, 1851 * A moving eulogy, “A Bitter Eulogy over the Great Loss Suffered by the Jewish People, ” delivered upon the passing of the Sadigura Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Yosef Friedman, son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. Rabbi Shalom Yosef was the firstborn son of the Ruzhiner Rebbe. Following his father’s passing in Cheshvan 1850, he assumed his father’s position and became Rebbe to the great majority of his father’s chassidim. Tragically, he lived for less than another year, passing away in Elul 1851 at only thirty-eight years of age. Among his descendants, two sons became especially well-known: Rabbi Yitzchak of Bohush, then about sixteen years old, and Rabbi Nachum Ber’nyu of Sadigura, founder of the famous library, then about eight years old. The eulogy was delivered by Rabbi Avraham (son of Rabbi Yisrael) Teumim, Av Beis Din of Zbarizh and Botshatch, who later became Av Beis Din of Zlotshik. He was the nephew of the renowned posek Rabbi Avraham (son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch) Teumim of Botshatch, author of Chesed L’Avraham. Rabbi Avraham also authored another eulogy, bearing the same title, upon the passing of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. In the introduction to the present work, he reflects upon the double tragedy of losing both the great father and his eldest son within such a short span of time. Rare. Printed very shortly after the Rebbe’s passing. One of the very few items in the world connected with Rabbi Shalom Yosef of Sadigura. In the years following his passing — and indeed until the present day — virtually none of his Torah teachings, customs, or letters have been seen. Only in 2015 was the sefer Rishpei Eish, a collection of his teachings and material about him, published. Lemberg, 1851. Singular edition. Page Count: [20] leaves. Size: 22.8 cm. Condition: Good. Restored holes, affecting a few words. New binding. Provenance: Asufa Auction (2003). Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus, no. 2. - - - - - - - - - - “He fulfilled his life’s mission in just a few short years” — from the eulogy: “The truth is evident in the life of the departed righteous and renowned Rav, the holy Rabbi Shalom Yosef, the firstborn son of the crown and glory of Klal Yisrael. His reputation spread far and wide, and his praises were heard throughout the Jewish world. From birth, he was destined for greatness, and his soul was rooted in the highest realms of holiness. From his earliest years, he lived in constant closeness to Hashem. Even when occupied with the ordinary necessities of daily life, his heart and mind remained focused solely on Hashem. Why, then, was such a towering tzaddik taken from this world at such a young age? It can only be because the Holy One, blessed be He, knows the appointed time of the righteous. In just a few short years, he fulfilled the purpose for which he had come into this world, accomplishing more than even the greatest Torah scholar could achieve in a hundred years. Therefore, he departed this world in peace, reaching his eternal resting place at the time ordained for him, and now rests in tranquility” (leaf [3]b).