A unique & special letter containing blessings for Refuah Shleima & longevity, addressed to the esteemed Rebbe Yitzchak Menachem Rottenberg of Wolbrom. The letter is entirely in the handwriting of the Maran Rebbi Chaim Halberstam, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz.
”B”h
… To my beloved friend, the esteemed, renowned, and holy luminary, the righteous Rebbi Yitzchak Menachem may his light shine
I have received your letter, and i eagerly anticipate that you will recover from your illness, be healthy and whole with God’s help, and walk upon the earth for many long days. May we soon merit the coming of our Messiah, together with all of Israel.
May you be well, with my warmest regards and love,
Hakatan Chaim Halber stam."
As is well known, only a handful of letters written fully in the holy handwriting of Maran the Divrei Chaim of Sanz exist today.
The holy Rebbi Chaim of Sanz, the author of Divrei Chaim (1797–1876), exemplified the three pillars upon which the world stands: Torah, avodah, and acts of kindness. His dedication to Torah study, even from a young age and despite illnesses and suffering, was immense. His deep study during the late hours of the night made him oblivious to everything around him.In Avodah: His prayer service was indescribable. It lasted many hours, filled with fiery enthusiasm and a powerful voice. During certain sections, he would raise his voice, instilling awe and trembling in all present, often bringing the congregation to tears.In Acts of Kindness: His measure of charity was unparalleled in his generation. His sons wrote in the introduction to Divrei Chaim on the Torah that he sustained hundreds and thousands of the poor. Daily, he distributed large sums of charity to dozens, and half of the region’s Jews lived honorably thanks to his generosity.
Rebbi Chaim was a disciple of the tzaddikim Rebbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz and Rebbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov. In 1817, he became the rabbi of Rudnik. In 1830, he moved to Sanz and became the most prominent Rebbe in Galicia. Almost all rabbis and Rebbes acknowledged his authority. He left behind fifteen children and merited to see a righteous generation following in his path. Nearly 100 rabbis from his descendants followed his bier at his funeral. Over the years, his descendants numbered in the hundreds of rabbis and Rebbes.
As his disciple, the Holy Afsei Aretz of Nanash eulogized: "He was the Tree of Life above, enlightening and doing good, and also below, bestowing life, livelihood, and goodness to the house of Israel" (Afsei Aretz, vol. 3, p. 98b).
His writings include: She’elot u’Teshuvot Divrei Chaim, Divrei Chaim on Gittin and Mikvaot, Divrei Chaim on the Torah, commentaries on the Haggadah, and collections of customs, stories, and sacred practices.
The Holy Rebbi Yitzchak Menachem Rottenberg of Wolbrom was born in 1822, he was the son of the Holy Rebbi Pinchas of Apta, who was the son of the Holy Rebbi Meir of Apta, author of Ohr L’Shamayim.
He was the son-in-law of the Holy Rebbi Moshe Biderman of Lelov. When his father-in-law immigrated to the Land of Israel, Rebbi Yitzchak Menachem succeeded him in leading the Lelov community before eventually moving to Wolbrom. He was greatly revered by the righteous leaders of his generation, especially the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. He passed away in 1874, and his son, Rebbi Alter David Meir Yechiel, succeeded him as Rebbe of Wolbrom.
21 x 16.2 Cm.
Tapings, tape stains & tape remnants. We preferred to keep the letter as close as possible to how it came from Maran the Divrei Chaim, but we believe that professional restoration could improve it.
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Lot #109