Special letter of condolence by the famous Holy Rebbe Avraham Mattisyahu Friedman of Shtefanesht to his cousin the Holy Rebbe Yisroel Friedman of Chortkov
Shtefanesht, 1927.
This extraordinary letter was written ” The day of the Yartzeit of our grandfather the Holy Malach Elkim Rebbe Abraham Zy”a, 1927 Shtefanesht”
The Tzadik Reb Abraham Chaim the oldest son of Rebbe Yisroel of Chortkov passed away on 12 Elul 1926. The Shtefanesht Rebbe sent this letter around 2 weeks later on the day of the Yartzeit of their illustrious grandfather the Holy Rebbe Abraham Hamalach who passed away on 12 Tishrei.
To the best of our knowledge this is the first letter signed in his Holy hand to ever be offered at public auction!
The Holy Rebbe Avraham Mattisyahu of Shtefanesht (1848-1933) was the only son of the Admor Harav Menachem Nachum of Shtefanesht. His illustrious grandfather the holy Ruzhiner, was the mohel by his bris and at the age of three taught him the letters of the Alef-Beis. Harav Avraham Mattisyahu’s fame spread throughout Europe; his wisdom and pure service of Hashem drew countless chassidim to his doorstep to entreat him for counsel, blessings, and salvation.
Among his disciples was the famous Holy Rebbe Chaim Zanvil Abramowiz of Ribnitz.
The Admor’s service of Hashem was legendary, as he prayed for a very long time and spoke little. In 1969, his body was brought to Eretz Yisrael and was buried in Nachalas Yitzchak. Until today, people from around the world flock to the gravesite to pray for salvation and success in his merit.
The Holy Rebbe Yisroel Freidman of Chortkov [1854-1934] the son of Rebbe David Moshe of Chortkov and the son-in-law of his uncle the Holy Rebbe Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, who were each, the sons of the Holy Rebbe Yisroel of Ruzhyn. His mother was the daughter of the Holy Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl.
Thousands came to his court, headed by leading rabbis, Poskim and Geonim, such as Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin, and Rabbi Meir Arik of Tarnow. Due to the upheavals of World War I, the Rebbe left Galicia and re-established his court in Vienna.
He was one of the founders of the worldwide Agudas Yisroel, which he saw as a way to raise the crown of the Torah and Jewry everywhere and bring Klal Yisroel closer to their Father in Heaven. He served as president of Mo’etzes Gedolei HaTorah.
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Lot #130