A Special Letter of condolence and chizuk from the Holy Rabbi Avraham Mattityahu Friedman of Shtefinesht, Following the Horrific Riots in the Land of Israel in 1929. Addressed to Rabbi Avraham Leib Zilberman, Head of the Rabbinical Court of Safed.
” B”h Shtefinesht, 12 Tishrei 1930
Your letter bearing the unfortunate news of the victims from the Holy Land has been received with the utmost reverence, and it is impossible to gauge the immense anguish of our revered master, our teacher and rabbi, the holy , the elder of Zion, may he live long and well. He has blessed you during these days of favor for salvation in all matters and for health and strength for you and your entire family. May the Almighty have mercy on the remaining survivors, protect them from all trouble and distress, and may no plague come near their dwellings. May they all be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year, a life of love and pleasantness.
Just as they have endured the birth pangs of the Messiah, so may they soon witness the arrival of the Redeemer. In their days and in ours, may Judah and Israel be saved with the building of Ariel (Jerusalem), Amen.
Twice sending my holy blessings with love,
Servant in holiness,
Shraga Feivush Goldenberg**
Background: The Safed Massacre was carried out by Arab Muslims from Safed and the surrounding area against the Jews of the city on Thursday, the 23rd of Av, 1929, as part of the 1929 Palestine riots. At 5:30 PM, Arab rioters broke into the unprotected Jewish quarter of Safed. Armed with sticks and knives, they broke into homes, stabbed and killed residents, and set their houses on fire. The rampage lasted for 20 minutes and was stopped by British police forces who rushed to the scene and killed two of the rioters. Eighteen Jewish residents, including women and children, and the city’s rabbi, Ishmael ben Pinhas HaCohen, were murdered, and at least 80 were injured. The main Jewish street was looted and burned.
The members of the Commission of Inquiry visited the town on 1 November 1929. The Shaw Report stated:
"At about 5:15 pm, on the 29th of August, Arab mobs attacked the Jewish ghetto in Safed…in the course of which some 45 Jews were killed or wounded, several Jewish houses and shops were set on fire, and there was a repetition of the wanton destruction which had been so prominent a feature of the attack at Hebron."
An eyewitness describing the pogrom that took place in Safed, perpetrated by Arabs from Safed and local villages, armed with weapons and kerosene tins. He observed mutilated and burned bodies of victims and the burnt body of a woman tied to a window. Several people were brutally killed. A schoolteacher, wife, and mother and a lawyer, were cut to pieces with knives and the attackers entered an orphanage and smashed children’s heads and cut off their hands. Another victim was stabbed repeatedly and trampled to death.
The Safed massacre marked the end of the arab disturbances.
To the best of our knowledge, this holy letter has not yet been published.
The Holy Rebbe Avraham Mattisyahu of Shtefanesht (1848-1933) was the only son of the Holy Rebbe 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.
Rabbi Avraham Yehuda Leib Zilberman (1889-1948) was the Chief Rabbi of Safed for 30 years, grandson of Rabbi Refael Zilberman, who served as Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazim of Safed as well. He continued his family tradition of serving as the delegates of Admorei Boyan to light the bonfire at Rashbi’s grave on Lag BaOmer.
20.5 X 13 cm.
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Lot #239