Two pages of original Chiddushei Torah on Tractate Kiddushin.
Maran Maharid of Belz repeatedly urged Rabbi Itzikel to record his Torah insights in writing, but due to his great humility, he refused. This manuscript is the only surviving remnant of his writings known today! He has never appeared in a public auction.
(In fact, he did write down his Torah teachings solely to fulfill the request of his Rebbe. However, during the burning of chametz before Pesach, he threw all his writings into the fire!)
At the top of the page, his nephew and close disciple, Rebbi Menachem Binyamin Ben Zion Rotenberg-Halberstam, wrote: " From my late aunt’s husband, the brilliant and exceptionally gifted Gaon of noble lineage, the righteous and renowned kabbalist, Rabbi Itzikel z”l, Rabbi of the holy community of Sosnowiec, may it be rebuilt soon."
Among the great Torah scholars and spiritual giants of Belz, the towering, fiery figure of the genius from Zolkiew stood out. Though he was always self-effacing, he was one of the greatest of the great, and even as a young scholar, the Maharid of Belz made the rare declaration: "Such an Itzikel is born only once in two hundred years!"
Through both ancestral merit and his own greatness, he acquired the crown of Torah and a sterling reputation. His legacy is eternally inscribed among the greatest sages of all time.
Rabbi Itzikel’s vast Torah knowledge encompassed every hidden facet of the Torah, and his sharp intellect and profound righteousness left a lasting impression. Despite his towering greatness, he humbled himself completely before the three great tzaddikim of the Belz dynasty, clinging to them with absolute devotion, like a candle before a mighty flame. His remarkable humility only enhanced the esteem in which he was held by all.
The Holy Rabbi Itzikel Glickman zt”l was born circa 1875 to his father, Rabbi Asher Yeshaya Rubin zt”l of Zolkiew, son of Rabbi Naftali Tzvi of Radychiv zt”l, grandson of Rabbi Itzikel of Brod zt”l, and great-grandson-in-law of the Sar Shalom of Belz. Due to the Polish government’s expulsion of foreign nationals, Rabbi Itzikel had to obtain residency documents under the surname Glickman, allowing him to remain in Poland. This name remained his official family name from that point onward.
Even in his youth, his extraordinary brilliance was widely recognized. He studied briefly in Alesk, under the guidance of his great-grandfather, the Rebbe of Alesk, who cherished him dearly, recognizing both his intellectual gifts and his unparalleled fear of Heaven. After the Alesk Rebbe’s passing in 1884, Rabbi Itzikel sought guidance from Rebbi Shlomo of Sassov and formed a close study partnership with the future Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Horowitz, Av Beit Din of Probizhna. By the age of ten, Rabbi Itzikel had already completed the entire Talmud with him!
Following a suggestion from his uncle, the Maharid of Belz, Rabbi Itzikel studied under the Maharsham of Berezhany, who later granted him semicha at the age of 14. It wasn’t long before the Maharsham told him:
"You no longer need my guidance—you are already a Torah giant in your own right."
He also received semicha in his youth from Rabbi Yitzchak Aharon Itinga, Av Beit Din of Lemberg. The Gaon of Tchebin once attested: "Nowadays, the term ‘illui’ (Talmudic prodigy) is used too freely. But in my lifetime, I have only met one true illui—his name was the Zolkiewer Illui."
Even as a young man, the Mahar”i of Belz cherished him greatly. During the Belz tish, Rabbi Itzikel was given a seat next to the Rebbe’s chair, and before beginning his Torah discourse, the Rebbe would turn to him and say:
"Itzikel, my dear, are you here?"—only then would he start speaking.
At the suggestion of the Mahar”i of Belz, Rabbi Itzikel married the daughter of Rebbi Alter Meir David Rotenberg of Wolbrom, who was a son-in-law of Rebbi Moshe of Károv, son of the Sar Shalom of Belz.
As a young scholar, Rabbi Itzikel traveled to visit the Shinova Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam, as well as Rebbi David Moshe of Chortkov. The Chortkover Rebbe offered him leadership over a Chassidic court, but Rabbi Itzikel humbly declined, saying: "I am not ready for such a role. If it happens naturally, I will see what to do at that time."
Rabbi Itzikel’s reputation spread far and wide. In 1901, at age 26, he was invited to serve as Dayan and Moreh Tzedek in Sosnowiec. However, upon his arrival, the city’s Jewish leaders immediately appointed him Av Beit Din. In Sosnowiec, he founded a yeshiva and a Beit Midrash in his own home, where he studied day and night with unparalleled diligence. Only on special occasions, such as the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul, would he pray in the main synagogue.
He delivered Torah lessons in his home to his children and aspiring scholars, spending countless hours immersed in Talmudic study—often forgetting to eat for extended periods. Even the esteemed Rabbi Tzvi Chanoch Levin of Bendin (author of Yikhan Pe’er), son-in-law of the Sfas Emes of Ger, sent his children to study under Rabbi Itzikel, recognizing his towering Torah greatness and impeccable character. Students of the Avnei Nezer of Sochatchov also came to study under him. When the Avnei Nezer heard Rabbi Itzikel’s Torah insights and his sharp critiques of the Avnei Nezer’s own commentary on Shabbat, he exclaimed: "If I had the strength, I would travel to meet him personally!"
Even his father-in-law, Rebbi Alter Meir David of Wolbrom, stood before him in awe and once handed him a kvittel (prayer request). In his humility, Rabbi Itzikel refused to accept it, but his father-in-law replied: "All my life, I traveled to the great tzaddikim—to Belz, Sanz, Neustadt, Trisk, Chortkov, Shinova, and Siedlce. Now, I wish to have you as my Rebbe and guide!"
Rabbi Itzikel passed away in 1930. Though he left behind few written works, his legendary Torah mastery, humility, and righteousness remain an eternal beacon of inspiration.
21.1 X 13.5 cm.
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Lot #117