A very rare letter from the Holy Rebbi Aryeh Yehuda Leib Epstein of Ożarów, addressed to his son-in-law, the Holy Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowitz of Biala-Siedlce and his daughter, the Rebbetzin Chava.
From the letter, it is understood that his home in Ozerov has burned down, and he has no time or money to attend to it. He mentions the city of Chemilov (where his son, Rebbi Alter Moshe David, resided) and Ozerov, where they still cannot find apartments.
Later, he writes, "A letter to your father from the honorable and holy Rabbi I did not write because it does not seem right in my eyes…"
And he concludes,
"The words of your father, the intercessor on your behalf always, and the desire to uplift your horns. Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Halevi, the Rebbe of Ozerov, currently resides in the city of Apta."
"The words of your father, the intercessor on your behalf always, and the desire to uplift your horns. Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Halevi, the Rebbe of Ozerov, currently resides in the city of Apta."
The Holy Rebbi Aryeh Yehuda Leib Epstein was born in 1837 to his father the Holy Rebbi Yechiel Chaim Epstein, son of the Holy Rebbi Aryeh Leibush Epstein, the first Rebbe of Ożarów.
He married the daughter of The Tzadik Rabbi Eliezer Shalom Morgenestern, Rabbi of Siedlce and Piotrków, After his wife passed away he married the daughter of the Holy Rebbi Ephraim Fishel HaKohen of Szczekociny, the son-in-law of the holy Rebbi Moshe of Lelov.
He was a student in the Chassidut of Rabbi Elazaof Kozhnitz, who called him, at the young age of 17, the "
Holy Ark Full of Seforim." He was also influenced by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Neuhauz of Tomashov, Rebbi Yitzchak Niesuchojeże, and Rebbi Avraham HaMaggid of Trisk. Additionally, he sought guidance in his youth from Rebbi Chaim David Doctor of Piotrków
Holy Ark Full of Seforim." He was also influenced by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Neuhauz of Tomashov, Rebbi Yitzchak Niesuchojeże, and Rebbi Avraham HaMaggid of Trisk. Additionally, he sought guidance in his youth from Rebbi Chaim David Doctor of Piotrków
At the age of twenty, he was accepted for the rabbinate in Tarlow, and from there he moved to the communities of Józefów, Chmielnik, Opola, and from 1888 after the passing of his father, he served as the Rebbe in Ożarów. He resided for several years in Apta. See also "Dor l’Dor" (Alfasi) p. 325 (also printed in the Sefer "Belabat Esh" p. 141), which includes a photograph of a letter written by him in Apta in 1902 also addressed to his son-in-law, Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabbinowitz of Biala and Schadlich (his father-in-law, Rebbi Yechiel Chaim, also resided in Apta before moving to Ożarów).
He was famous for his ability to remove Dibukim.
He authored the Sefer Birkat Tov on the Torah, and his teachings were also included in the Seforim She’erit Bracha and Eish Dat
He passed away in 1914 . A detailed account of his life is found in the Sefer Belabat Esh.
The epitaph on his grave in Ożarów reads:
"The esteemed and great genius, our master, Rebbi Aryeh Yehuda son of the great and holy Rebbi Yechiel Chaim Epstein, may his memory be blessed. Passed away on 7th of Nisan, in the year 1914. Woe is us for the loss we have suffered. He was a living man; he has left us only distress and darkness in our dwellings. Oh, chassid, and oh, his humble one, our crowns have fallen, our hearts have melted like water, and our sorrows are great. Woe, we cry over the chariot of Israel, our teacher and master.
He left behind five sons:
1) The Admor Rabbi Avraham Shlomo of Ożarów.
2) Rabbi Eliezer Shalom, Av Beit Din of Partzva.
3) Rabbi Yosef, Av Beit Din of Józefów,
4) The Admor Rabbi Alter Moshe David, Av Beit Din of Tarto and Admor of Chemilov.
5) Rabbi Yaakov.
And two daughters:
Rebetzin Chava wife of the Admor Rebbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabbinowitz of Biala and -Siedlce, and in her second marriage, the wife of the Admor Rabbi Menachem Waldfried of Rozpsza-Lodz (Father-in-law of the Admor the Eish Daas of Ozerov-Chentchin-Krakow).
Rebetzin Chava wife of the Admor Rebbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabbinowitz of Biala and -Siedlce, and in her second marriage, the wife of the Admor Rabbi Menachem Waldfried of Rozpsza-Lodz (Father-in-law of the Admor the Eish Daas of Ozerov-Chentchin-Krakow).
And his daughter, Rebetzin Feiga, wife of Rebbi Yaakov Yerachmiel Taub of Radom, son of the Admor Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu of Zvhilin."
Wear, stains and a small hole at top. 21.5 cm.
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Lot #159