1. Copy of a Letter dated 18 Tammuz 1828 from Rabbi Simcha Reuven Goldmark, cantor of the Keszthely community, addressed to "Our Honored Rabbi."
"…How great was our joy when we heard that you had safely arrived at your destination, fulfilling our highest hopes. Therefore, we are puzzled by your letter, which mentions receiving a letter from the eminent rabbi, the luminary of the generation, sent to us. Why has this letter not reached us until now? We remain vigilant, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his holy words. Additionally, it appears that various letters from different directions are flowing in, but now our hopes have been dashed. Even so, we recognize and have faith in every word that emerges from your mouth, as you have always been truthful with us. Thus, we desire this to refute those who speak falsehoods and to silence deceitful tongues."
The letter does not specify the identity of the rabbi to whom it was addressed or the "eminent rabbi, the luminary of the generation, " who intervened in the rabbinical selection. However, the recipient of the letter is believed to be Rabbi Shabtai Sheftel Marguliyot, and the "luminary of the generation" is likely the Chatam Sofer.
23.5 x 18.5 Cm.
2. Rabbinical Appointment Document: Issued by the Keszthely community to their rabbi, Rabbi Shabtai Sheftel Marguliyot, detailing the terms of his employment as Av Beit Din .
Signed by the Rabbi himself and by Rabbi Simcha Reuven Goldmark, the community’s cantor.
26 Iyar, 1829.
The reverse side is inscribed: "Rabbinical document of the rabbi Av Beit Din, Rabbi Shabtai Sheftel."
40 x 25 cm. Water stain in the middle of the page.
3. Unique and Painful Resignation Letter: Written by Rabbi Shabtai Sheftel Marguliyot to the leaders and officials of his Keszthelyi congregation. Entirely in his handwriting, with three of his signatures.
"A letter of notification to the esteemed officers, leaders of the congregation, the heads of Israel, and the community council. To each individual according to their stature and honor, may God be upon them:
To you, gentlemen, I call (from here onward, free translation from Judeo-German): As the Av Beit Din and the judges investigated the matter with truth and wisdom, what has occurred here?
The Beit Din issued rulings for the entire community, yet, unfortunately, this has not brought peace among us. Since I find myself utterly humbled and bereft of peace, I have forgotten what goodness is. Half-truths do not serve me well. Only truth and justice, which are the foundation of our holy Torah, are my guiding principles.
Therefore, my brothers and teachers, while it is true that I am obligated by the ruling to remain here until Shavuot so that the community is not left without a rabbi—like a flock without a shepherd—so that the Torah and ethics are taught, I hereby notify the entire community that I am prepared to fulfill the Beit Din’s ruling. However, I have yet to receive my expenses, and I must now return to my home. Each person should return to their place in peace.
Signed, Shabtai Sheftel, son of Rabbi Gershon, Av Beit Din of Keszthelyi may it be established.
(At the end of the letter, an additional note reads:)
The statement above, "Each person should return to their place in peace, " should be understood as implying that I will leave my position here according to the ruling of the Beit Din, with good will. Signed, Shabtai Sheftel, son of Rabbi Gershon."
Second Page:
"Today, I received the final payment from the Keszthelyi community according to the sum of 600 gulden. I am satisfied and have no further claims against the community. Signed and sealed with my signature:
Today, Sunday, Parshat Pinchas, 1830, in the above-mentioned city.
Signed, Shabtai Sheftel, son of Rabbi Gershon, Av Beit Din, and community rabbi."
Includes two wax seals of the rabbi, in Hebrew and in German.
Rabbi Shabtai Sheftel HaLevi [Marguliyot] was born to his father, Rabbi Gershon, in Tarnopol. A distinguished disciple of Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Babad, Av Beit Din of Tarnopol and author of Sefer Yehoshua. Around 1828, he was appointed as Av Beit Din of Keszthelyi, despite the community being unfamiliar with him. At that time, the Chatam Sofer wrote to philanthropist R’ Shlomo Rosenthal:
"It appears that rabbinical appointments here have become lawless. Many communities select foreign rabbis from distant lands, unknown to them. Is there no balm in Gilead? Teach them to source their scholars locally. In our land, there are young rabbis and Torah giants who lack sustenance, yet they take in strangers from afar."
After about two years, due to conflicts with his congregation and intervention by the Chatam Sofer, Rabbi Marguliyot was compelled to resign. Around 1835, he served as Av Beit Din of Setchin, but there too, he faced challenges that embittered his life.
39 x 34 cm.
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Lot #220