Manuscript, four leaves (eight pages), responsum regarding philosophy and Kabbalah, by R. Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), author of Yismach Moshe. Written by a scribe. With a 10-line gloss handwritten and signed by his grandson and disciple, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) – author of Yitav Lev. [Sighet, 1866?].
Four large (consecutive) leaves, written on both sides (two columns per page).
This responsum by the Yismach Moshe explains an impenetrable sentence in the foreword to Sefer HaRokeach by R. Elazar of Worms. The Yismach Moshe explains the meaning of this sentence using various approaches – Derush, Remez and Sod. This lengthy and profound thesis covers many topics, such as the topic of the closeness of the soul to G-d in This World and the Next, and other kabbalistic concepts. It includes many quotes and references to dozens of research, philosophical, homiletical and kabbalistic works. The Yismach Moshe confronts the views of philosophers on these topics with those of kabbalists, and proves that the opinion of the kabbalists is correct.
At the end of this responsum, the editor, his grandson and disciple, the Yitav Lev, added a 10-line gloss in his handwriting, in which he explains the meaning of the passage in the Rokeach in a simpler way, based on what the Rokeach wrote elsewhere in his book. The gloss is signed: "So it seems to me, Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum". The gloss contains one line which the Yitav Lev crossed out (this line was indeed not printed). The deleted line also bears his signature. The body of the responsum contains several words and markings handwritten by the Yitav Lev, as part of his editing and preparing the text for print.
This responsum was composed during the Yismach Moshe's tenure as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa), in 1791-1808. The responsum opens: "Responsum for the capital city of Warsaw". This responsum was first published after the passing of its author, the Yismach Moshe (Tammuz 1841), in Lviv 1866, at the beginning of his responsa work Heshiv Moshe, with the gloss of the Yitav Lev at the end of it. There are slight textual variations between the printed text and the text of the present manuscript, both in the main responsum by the Yismach Moshe, and in the gloss of the Yitav Lev.
Additionally, in the printed responsum, an entire paragraph was omitted by the editor, the Yitav Lev. This paragraph is found at the end of this manuscript responsum. The Yismach Moshe wrote: "I do not usually reply on these matters (kabbalah) in letters, only orally. Only on halachic matters of divorce and Chaliztah, agunot, Sotah, kashrut, laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov, monetary laws, and other laws, I am always like a doorsill to be tread upon, ready to answer to whoever asks, as if a man inquired of the word of G-d and far from me to withhold". This passage was crossed out by the Yitav Lev. To the best of our knowledge, this passage was never published.
The Yitav Lev inherited all the writings of his grandfather, the Yismach Moshe (writings which were not edited nor prepared for print), and arranged to have them transcribed, edited and prepared for print, with the addition of his glosses and notes. In 1849-1861, he published the five volumes of Yismach Moshe on the Torah. He delegated the task of editing the rest of his grandfather's writings to his son-in-law, R. Yisrael Yaakov Yukel Teitelbaum Rabbi of Gorlitz, who edited and published Responsa Heshiv Moshe, and to his grandson R. Moshe David Rabbi of Laposch, who edited and published Tefillah LeMoshe on Tehillim and Yismach Moshe on Neviim and Ketuvim.
[4] leaves (8 pages). Consecutive leaves. 42 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear.

R. Moshe Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841), was an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia. An outstanding Torah scholar and G-dly Kabbalist, sharp and proficient in all facets of Torah, revealed as well as hidden. During his lifetime he was renowned as a holy G-dly man and a wonder-worker benefiting from Divine Inspiration. He first served in the Shinova (Sieniawa) rabbinate from 1785-1808, and in 1808, was appointed rabbi of Ujhel (Satoraljaujhely) and its region. During the first half of his life, R. Moshe was an opponent of Chassidut, and in his youth, he travelled to Vilna to study Torah from the Vilna Gaon (R. B. Landau, HaGaon HeChassid MiVilna, p. 291, in the name of R. Zalman Weber. The Klausenburg Rebbe cites an interesting testimony from that visit, which his great-grandfather the Yismach Moshe related about the conduct of the Vilna Gaon with his disciples – Responsa Divrei Yatziv, Part IV, Yoreh De'ah, section 131). Over the years, R. Moshe gravitated towards Chassidut, influenced by his son-in-law R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsaý, author of the Responsa Aryeh D'Bei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. There, R. Moshe saw revelations of Divine Inspiration, and became the Chozeh's close disciple, adhering to Chassidut and disseminating its doctrines. This transformation took place while he was still officiating as rabbi of Shinova. He also travelled to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. From 1815, R. Moshe began distributing amulets to those requiring salvation and "the pen cannot properly describe the wonders performed by those amulets". Reputedly, he deliberated whether to continue writing amulets until he heard a pronouncement from Heaven: "Do not fear for I am with you" (Tehilla L'Moshe). Until this day, most of the texts of amulets and "protections" in Ashkenazi countries are attributed to the Yismach Moshe, including the printed text of the "Protection for the infant and the mother" and "Protection from epidemic". The text of the renowned Kerestir amulets, inscribed by Chassidic rebbes for safeguarding home and property, also originates from him.

His published writings include the well-known books of homilies - Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Megillot and on Talmudic Aggadot, Tefilla L'Moshe on Tehillim, Responsa Heshiv Moshe and other books. His book Maayan Tahor, with the laws of Nidda in Yiddish for Jewish women, was appended to many siddurim.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum (1808-1883), son of R. Elazar Nissan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva who later immigrated to Safed. He was a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at the age of 25), he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as rabbi of Ujhel. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet, capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he gained worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessing and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.

Jerusalem Talmud, Order Moed, with the Korban HaEdah and Sheyarei Korban commentaries by R. David Fränkel, rabbi of Dessau. Dessau, [1743]. First edition of the commentaries.
Main title page for the whole volume, with divisional title pages for each tractate.
Copy of the Shemen Rokeach, with his signature and dozens of his handwritten glosses (see below). The book later came into the possession of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației), who affixed his signature to the title page: "Yitav" [=Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum].
Faint signature at the top of the title page: "…Miklosh [Liptovský Mikuláš]", and signature of the Shemen Rokeach at the foot of the title page: "So says Elazar, who resides in the above-mentioned community".
The book contains dozens of scholarly glosses, some lengthy, handwritten by R. Elazar Löw, author of Shemen Rokeach. Most of the glosses are signed: "Elazar" or "the young Elazar". In some glosses, the Shemen Rokeach refers to sections in his books printed in the 1800s, where he discusses the topic at length: "and what I wrote in my book Shev Shemateta" (Shabbat 3b); "see what I wrote in the book Shev Shemateta" (Yoma 8b); "as I wrote at length in my book Torat Chessed" (Sukkah 7a); "see in my novellae where I explained this at length" (Megillah 10b).
To the best of our knowledge, these glosses were never published.
The back endpaper bears a lengthy poetic ownership inscription, handwritten by R. Yitzchak of Oshpitzin, disciple of the Shemen Rokeach. The inscription was written on "Thursday, 3rd day of Chol HaMoed Pesach, 1822, here in Miklosh". It is followed by a double acrostic by R. Yitchak, spelling the name of R. Elazar Löw.
[3], 52; [1], 29; [1], 35; [1], 22; [1], 15; [1], 13; [1], 10; [1], 11; [1], 15; [1], 18; [1], 11; [1], 10 leaves. 34 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears and wear. Tears to title page and subsequent leaf, slightly affecting text, repaired in part with tape. Stamps. New leather binding.

R. Elazar Löw (1758-1837) was a renowned and outstanding Torah scholar. He served as rabbi of six prominent communities in the regions of Moravia, Bohemia and Hungary. During 1822-1830, he served as rabbi of Miklosh (Liptovský Mikuláš) in Hungary. He served as yeshiva dean for most of his life, and taught more than 1000 disciples, including many future Torah leaders. His son was the famed R. Binyamin Wolf Löw, author of Shaarei Torah. R. Elazar was a prolific writer and was famous for 13 large compositions which he authored (12 were printed in his lifetime). A large part of his writings deal with Talmudic methodology. He pondered Torah even in his sleep and many of his novellae would appear to him in his dreams. Reputedly, his diligence and holiness were so profound that he would not break his fast on the night after Yom Kippur, studying the entire night, and every year on that night, he would merit the revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi (Zichron Elazar). His biographers extol the effectiveness of his prayers. In 1833, he was hit by lightning and became blind. Nevertheless, he continued studying from memory until his last days. At that time, his exceptional memory and proficiency in the entire Torah was apparent. The Chatam Sofer mentioned this in his eulogy: "He was blind for several years, yet this did not impair his amazing erudition and sharpness". The Chatam Sofer cites his books in several places, although he was his contemporary. R. Mordechai Banet stated in awe that his book "Shaarei Chochmah – Shev Shemateta" was "not composed by a human but rather by an angel, and the world has never seen anything like it". Although R. Elazar considered printing his books a G-dly mission, he never went into debt to print them: "He would not allow himself to print too much at once, fearing that he will not be able to pay the expenses... Therefore, he would print his novellae one part at a time… using the profits from the sale of each part to continue printing, for his sole aim was to magnify and strengthen the Torah" (Beit Asher Ohel Sarah, p. 103, at the beginning of Menuchat Asher, Brooklyn, 1963). In his testament, he requested that the names of all his books be inscribed on his tombstone.

Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum (1808-1883), son of R. Elazar Nissan Teitelbaum Rabbi of Sighet, and son-in-law of R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva who later immigrated to Safed. He was a close disciple of his grandfather the Yismach Moshe – Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum Rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely), who drew him especially close and disclosed to him Heavenly revelations which he had perceived with Divine inspiration. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. In 1833 (at the age of 25), he was appointed rabbi of Stropkov, and after the passing of his illustrious grandfather, he was selected to succeed him as rabbi of Ujhel. He was then appointed rabbi of Gorlitz (Gorlice), and later of Drohobych. In 1858, he went to serve as rabbi of Sighet, capital of the Maramureș region, and founded there a large yeshiva, which numbered at its zenith two hundred students. Amongst his renowned disciples from that time was R. Shlomo Leib Tabak author of Erech Shai and head of the Sighet Beit Din. His grandson attested that "he was a merciful father to his disciples, carrying them on his shoulders as a nurse carries a suckling, and overseeing each one individually to ensure they studied Torah in holiness and purity". In Sighet, he gained worldwide renown, and thousands of Chassidim flocked to seek his counsel and wisdom, blessing and salvation. He was renowned for his exceptional holiness, and his grandson R. Yoel of Satmar attested that his holiness was never tainted. Numerous stories circulated of the wonders he performed, including incredible insights which were revealed to him with Divine Inspiration. He was reputed in his generation as one who could read the minds of those standing before him, and amazing stories were told of this ability. His epitaph reads: "The renowned rabbi, he edified upstanding and reputable disciples, left behind valuable compositions". He is renowned for his books: Yitav Lev on the Torah, Yitav Panim on the Festivals, Rav Tuv on the Torah and Responsa Avnei Tzedek.

Lechem Yehuda on the Rambam, Part I, by R. Yehuda Ayash. Livorno, [1745]. First edition.
Copy of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum of Sighet, author of Kedushat Yom Tov, and of his sons, Rebbe Yoel of Satmar and Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Rabbi of Sighet.
The endpapers bear poetic inscriptions, signatures and stamps of "Chaim Tzvi T.B. [Teitelbaum] – M. Sziget – Teitelbaum H.", who writes that the book belongs to his father, R. Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum.
Various stamps of his brother – Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum, with the inscriptions: "Rabbi of Karoly and the region", "Rabbi of Orsheva and the region".
This book previously belonged to R. Shlomo Ganzfried of Ungvar (Uzhhorod), author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. His signature appears on the title page: "Shlomo Ganzfried". Other signatures on the title page: "Shmuel [Sanvil?]"; "Yosef Mordechai HaKohen" (presumably R. Yosef Mordechai Kahana Rabbi of Tetsh, author of Divrei Tzaddikim, d. in Sighet in 1896. Grandson of R. Yosef Mordechai Kahana, head of the Sighet Beit Din, who passed away in 1834. See previous item).
[4], 118, [1] leaves. 31 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and tears. Minor worming. Old binding, with new leather spine.

R. Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), head of the Ungvar Beit Din from 1850 until his passing in 1886, was a prominent leader of the Hungarian Orthodox rabbinate. He was orphaned of his father R. Yosef (dayan and posek in Ungvar) at the age of 8, and was raised by R. Tzvi Hirsh Heller (R. Hirshele Charif), author of Tiv Gittin. He authored dozens of important works; however, he is best known for his Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, printed in many editions since its first publishing in 1864 in Ungvar (Otzar Yisrael, New York, 1909, records that up until that point, half a million copies had already been published, and according to the bibliographer Dr. Yitzchak Rivkind, over a million copies had been published by 1960). R. Ganzfried's first book, Keset HaSofer, on the laws of scribal writing of Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzot (Óbuda, 1834), earned the effusive approbation of the Chatam Sofer, who stated that no scribe should be ordained without demonstrating proficiency in this book. The Chatam Sofer even recorded glosses to this book.

The blank page at the end of part I contains a handwritten table of contents (possibly written by R. Shlomo Ganzfried). 

Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum (1836-1904), son and successor of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, the Yitav Lev. Disciple of his father and prominent disciple of Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, the Divrei Chaim. His teacher the Divrei Chaim once told his father the Yitav Lev that "He is has made him into a perfect utensil". Reputedly, the rebbe of Shinova said about him "…he remained holy from his arrival in this world until his departure to the next world". He succeeded his father after the latter's passing as rabbi of Sighet and leader of the Chassidim. Under his leadership, the Sighet Chassidut flourished and numbered thousands of Chassidim. He was a foremost leader of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region, an uncompromising zealot and a fierce opponent of the Zionist movement. His composition Kedushat Yom Tov on the Torah and the festivals was published after his passing. His sons were Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, author of Atzei Chaim, who succeeded him as rabbi and rebbe of Sighet, and R. Yoel Teitelbaum, author of VaYoel Moshe, who served as rabbi and rebbe in Satmar. 

Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979) was the youngest son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov (1836-1904), and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda, the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region.

He was renowned from his youth as a leading Torah scholar of his generation, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. At a young age, he was appointed rabbi of Irshava. In 1925, he was appointed rabbi of Karaly (Carei; in place of R. Shaul Brach who went to serve as rabbi of Kashoi), and in 1934, of Satmar (Satu Mare). In all the places he served as rabbi, he also maintained a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of the faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was one of the founding pillars of the Torah world in the generation following the Holocaust. After surviving the Holocaust, he emigrated to the United States, where he established the Satmar Chassidic community – the largest Chassidic community in the world. He served as president of the Eda HaCharedit in Jerusalem, and as leader of Orthodox Jewry in the United States and throughout the world. His writings were published in dozens of books: VaYoel Moshe, Responsa Divrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel on the Torah and more.

Toldot Adam, novellae on Talmudic topics, by R. Moshe David Ashkenazi. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak (disciple of R. Yisrael of Ruzhin and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev), [1845].
Copy of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, a descendant of the author. Stamps of the rebbe on the title page and final page, with the inscription: "Rabbi of Karoly and the region".
The title page bears a long inscription (trimmed) handwritten and signed by R. Yaakov Mordechai of Lizhensk, stating that he received the book from the estate of the author, on condition he returns it to the descendants of the author upon their request.
The author, R. Moshe David Ashkenazi – rabbi of Tolcsva-Safed, (1774-1856, Ishim B'Teshuvot HeChatam Sofer, p. 300), father-in-law of the Yitav Lev Rebbe of Sighet and father of R. Yoel Ashkenazi, rabbi of Zlotchov. Ancestor of the rebbes of Satmar and Klausenburg. At a young age he was appointed rabbi of Tolcsva, a position he held for forty years. He moved to Safed in 1844 and was one of the founders of the Chassidic settlement in post-earthquake Safed. A short while after his immigration to Eretz Israel, he printed this book in the printing press of R. Yisrael Bak in Jerusalem. He authored the book in his thirties and Rabbi Yaakov of Lissa, author of Chavat Daat writes in his approbation to the book: "The famous Torah scholar R. Moshe David… does not need me and my likes, but I honor his wish and cannot refuse a person greater than I". His home and Beit Midrash in Safed were restored by his grandson the Rebbe of Klausenburg and at present, they house the Sanz institutes in Safed. He also authored the book Be'er Sheva.
The recipient of the book was R. Yaakov Mordechai of Lizhensk and Safed. His signature appears on a letter which the leaders of the Chassidic community in Safed sent to the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, published in Eretz HaTzvi (Vienna, 1883, p. 184).
[2], 142 leaves. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears and worming, affecting text, with paper repairs (primarily to first and final leaves). Stamp and inscriptions. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 603; Sh. HaLevy, no. 33.

Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979) was the youngest son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov (1836-1904), and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda, the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region.

He was renowned from his youth as a leading Torah scholar of his generation, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. At a young age, he was appointed rabbi of Irshava. In 1925, he was appointed rabbi of Karaly (Carei; in place of R. Shaul Brach who went to serve as rabbi of Kashoi), and in 1934, of Satmar (Satu Mare). In all the places he served as rabbi, he also maintained a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of the faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was one of the founding pillars of the Torah world in the generation following the Holocaust. After surviving the Holocaust, he emigrated to the United States, where he established the Satmar Chassidic community – the largest Chassidic community in the world. He served as president of the Eda HaCharedit in Jerusalem, and as leader of Orthodox Jewry in the United States and throughout the world. His writings were published in dozens of books: VaYoel Moshe, Responsa Divrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel on the Torah and more.

The Holiness of Items of Tzaddikim – In the Teachings of Rebbe Yoel of Satmar

In his writings, Rebbe Yoel of Satmar repeatedly relates to the holiness contained in the possessions of a Tzaddik; and conversely to the prohibition of benefitting from the money of the wicked, warning not to accept funding from the Zionist state and the like.

In several places in his book Divrei Yoel on the Torah, the Rebbe describes the tremendous virtue of the belongings of the Tzaddik, which have the power to endow holiness for generations, since the "sparks of holiness" endure in them. Based on this concept, the Rebbe explains Yosef's influence on the Egyptians, who were sustained from his produce during the famine and drew from it "spiritual vibrancy": "…the property of Tzaddikim has the power to impart spiritual vibrancy…" (Divrei Yoel, Shemot, p. 33). Regarding the "aspect of holiness" contained in the belongings of Tzaddikim from "the root of their soul", he writes: "The possessions of Tzaddikim are precious to them… since they contain an aspect of the root of their soul… as they are particular not to steal…" (Divrei Yoel, Vayetze, p. 92).

Megaleh Amukot, 252 kabbalistic interpretations of the prayer of VaEtchanan, by R. Natan Nota Shapiro Rabbi of Krakow. Zhovkva, [1800]. Third edition, based on the Fürth 1691 edition, with the addition of Mareh HaOfanim – index of biblical verses.
Copy of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. Stamps of the rebbe on the title page and endpapers, with the inscription: "Rabbi of Karoly and the region".
Early signature in the center of the title page: "Moshe [T?]----". This may be the signature of Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe, the great-great-grandfather of Rebbe Yoel of Satmar. Books from the library of the Yismach Moshe are known to have been inherited by Rebbe Yoel of Satmar.
[9], 1, 1-42, 41-42, 45-52, 50-51, [2], 57-73, [2] leaves (misfoliation. Leaves 13-14 bound in reverse order). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (dampstains throughout). Wear. Margins trimmed, affecting edge of text and headings of many leaves. Stamps. New leather binding.

Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979) was the youngest son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa, the Kedushat Yom Tov (1836-1904), and grandson of Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda, the Yitav Lev (1808-1883), who both served as rabbis of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației) and were leaders of Chassidic Jewry in the Maramureș region.

He was renowned from his youth as a leading Torah scholar of his generation, for his perspicacity and intellectual capacities, as well as for his holiness and outstanding purity. At a young age, he was appointed rabbi of Irshava. In 1925, he was appointed rabbi of Karaly (Carei; in place of R. Shaul Brach who went to serve as rabbi of Kashoi), and in 1934, of Satmar (Satu Mare). In all the places he served as rabbi, he also maintained a large yeshiva and Chassidic court. He stood at the helm of the faithful, uncompromising Orthodox Jewry in the Maramureș region. He was one of the founding pillars of the Torah world in the generation following the Holocaust. After surviving the Holocaust, he emigrated to the United States, where he established the Satmar Chassidic community – the largest Chassidic community in the world. He served as president of the Eda HaCharedit in Jerusalem, and as leader of Orthodox Jewry in the United States and throughout the world. His writings were published in dozens of books: VaYoel Moshe, Responsa Divrei Yoel, Divrei Yoel on the Torah and more.

The Holiness of Items of Tzaddikim – In the Teachings of Rebbe Yoel of Satmar

In his writings, Rebbe Yoel of Satmar repeatedly relates to the holiness contained in the possessions of a Tzaddik; and conversely to the prohibition of benefitting from the money of the wicked, warning not to accept funding from the Zionist state and the like.

In several places in his book Divrei Yoel on the Torah, the Rebbe describes the tremendous virtue of the belongings of the Tzaddik, which have the power to endow holiness for generations, since the "sparks of holiness" endure in them. Based on this concept, the Rebbe explains Yosef's influence on the Egyptians, who were sustained from his produce during the famine and drew from it "spiritual vibrancy": "…the property of Tzaddikim has the power to impart spiritual vibrancy…" (Divrei Yoel, Shemot, p. 33). Regarding the "aspect of holiness" contained in the belongings of Tzaddikim from "the root of their soul", he writes: "The possessions of Tzaddikim are precious to them… since they contain an aspect of the root of their soul… as they are particular not to steal…" (Divrei Yoel, Vayetze, p. 92).