A rare handwritten letter! He has never before appeared in a public auction.
Warsaw, 1927.
The holy Rebbi Yehoshua Asher Halevi was born in Lublin in the year 1867 to his father, Rabbi Mordechai Ze’ev Halevi Sternfeld, son-in-law of the holy Rebbi Yaakov Tzvi of Porisov.
He was a devoted disciple of three generations of the Porisov Rebbes and was considered a prime student of his grandfather, the holy Rebbi, author of Atara Leroshh Tzaddik. In 1934, upon reaching the age of seventy, his followers decided to accept Rebbi Yehoshua Asher Sternfeld as their Rebbe. Among the Chassidim of Porisov, none equaled him in knowledge of the Chassidic path, and he was also a profound Torah scholar, especially in the mystical teachings.
At first, he adamantly refused to accept this role, arguing that becoming a Rebbe would force him into worldly matters, answering practical questions from Chassidim on everyday life, while he preferred to remain distant from material concerns. However, the Chassidim persisted, and against his will, he became the Rebbe of Porisov in Warsaw.
Only a few hundred Chassidim attached themselves to him, and they were exceptional scholars and devoted followers who sought spiritual elevation through practical service. As a result, his beit midrash was primarily attended by people of great stature, where discussions were not about livelihood, illnesses, or material matters. His Chassidim did not bring him such questions. Instead, they learned pure Chassidic teachings in the tradition of its earliest founders.
One of the unique aspects of his leadership was that he did not accept monetary gifts (pidyonos) from his Chassidim, likely because he did not see himself as a Rebbe in the conventional sense but rather as a spiritual guide in Chassidic teachings. Two hours of sleep per day sufficed for him, and his followers would say that even when he slept, it was evident that the Divine Presence rested upon him.
He perished in the Holocaust, may God avenge his blood.
For a more detailed account of his approach to leadership, see Eleh Ezkerah, Vol. 6, p. 235.
Postcard. 10.5 x 14.2 cm.
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Lot #119