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Letter of recommendation from R. Shmuel Engel Rabbi of Radomyshl. [Košice? Iyar 1918]. Written by a scribe. On the second leaf, two lines handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Engel.
At the foot of the leaf, another letter (over 3 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Rosenberg Rabbi of Unsdorf (Huncovce). [Unsdorf, 12th Elul 1918].
The recommendation is for R. Yom Tov Lipman Rubin of Jerusalem, son of R. Shmuel Aharon Rubin Rabbi of Korczyna (Galicia), who was travelling through Europe raising funds to provide for his family, who were suffering from the terrible famine prevailing in Eretz Israel at that time (during WWI).
The first leaf contains a lengthy letter from R. Shmuel Engel, who, due to his weakness, had it written on his behalf. The letter concludes with two lines handwritten and signed by R. Shmuel Engel: "Due to my weakness, I will be brief and request… on behalf of the bearer of this letter, and may the merit of charity bring us a salvation speedily. Shmuel Engel of Radomyshl, currently amongst the exiles". With his stamp as rabbi of Radomyshl: "Samuel Engel – Rabbiner – Radomysl Wielki".
On the second leaf, R. Shmuel Rosenberg Rabbi of Unsdorf added: "Due to the extent of the strain and sorrow, I am hereby adding to… since one cannot fathom the importance of this good deed… And his reward from Heaven will be great… Shmuel Rosenberg".
R. Shmuel Engel, rabbi of Radomyshl (1853-1935), a leading Galician Torah scholar and foremost halachic authority of his generation. A prime disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and of his son R. Yechezkel Halberstam of Shinova. At the young age of 18, he was appointed rabbi of Biłgoraj (Poland). In 1879, he was compelled to leave Poland, and resided for a couple of years in Rudnik (Galicia) at the home of his friend R. Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz and together they studied Torah, Halacha and Kabbalah. In 1881, he was appointed Rabbi of Dukla (Galicia) and in ca. 1887, of Radomyshl (Galicia). During WWI, he fled to Waitzen (Vác, Hungary) and in 1918, he wandered further and settled in Kashoi (Košice), were he headed of the Beit Din, remaining there until his passing. His son R. Chaim Engel succeeded him in the Radomyshl rabbinate. R Shmuel Engel authored the eight-book Responsa Maharash series, Chiddushei Maharash on the Talmud, Siftei Maharash on the Torah and more. His biography is printed in the book Shem MiShmuel (Munkacs, 1940).
R. Shmuel Rosenberg author of Be'er Shmuel (1842-1919), foremost Hungarian rabbi and yeshiva dean. He was a leading disciple of the Ketav Sofer. From 1873, he served as rabbi of Tshaba (Hejőcsaba), and in 1883, he was appointed rabbi of Unsdorf, where he founded a large yeshiva, of the most prominent in Hungary and the region. He was renowned for his exceptional devotion to his disciples, and indeed, many of them became the leaders of the next generation (R. Shmuel David Ungar Rabbi of Nitra, and other). He was reputed for his remarkable holiness, and rebbes of the Munkacs dynasty acclaimed him often for his Divine Inspiration. Many turned to him in quest of his blessings or prayers for various matters. He would conduct himself like a rebbe in his yeshiva, leading Tish and distributing shirayim. He fought to preserve faithful Jewry, and stood at the helm of Orthodox Jewry in its battles against the leaders of Reform.
[1] double leaf (two pages). 17X10.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear to folds. Filing holes.