Letter by Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi Av Beit Din of Konstantinograd, eldest son of Rabbi Ya'akov Emden, concerning the estate of his father, the Ya'avetz who died in Nissan 1776, and the argument of his family members with his father's widow, Rebbetzin Tzivia. [Konstantinograd, Volyně, today Krasnohrad, Ukraine), Kislev 1776].
Incomplete draft of the letter, handwritten (unsigned) by Rabbi Meir son of the Ya'avetz (enclosed is a photocopy of his handwriting for comparison from Beit Aharon and Yisrael, Compilation 24), with many additions which do not appear in the final version of the letter. The original letter was in the possession of Rabbi Zvi Horwitz Av Beit Din of Dresden, printed in the book Kitvei HaGe'onim (Pyetrykaw 1928, pp. 122-127), there he writes (Page 129) "I have in my possession a long response in his handwriting, to the Beit Din…concerning his father's estate. And in answer to this response…Rabbi Shaul, the Av Beit Din of Amsterdam wrote him his response which is printed in the book Mayim Chaim, Siman 35, and in Siman 36 the Gaon's reply.". Comparing this manuscript to the letter printed in the book Kitvei HaGe'onim, evidently this is the same letter with many revisions and a whole section (about 20 lines), not printed there and apparently not included in the version that was finally sent.
This section is peppered with sharp flowery phrases [as his father, the Ya'avetz was accustomed to writing], written to the members of the Beit Din regarding the part of the estate to be endowed to the widow.
Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi Av Beit Din of Konstantingrad (1717-1798) - eldest son of the Ya'avetz, born in Brody in 1717 and raised by his father who showered him with his Torah knowledge, wisdom and Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven). In his book Megillat Sefer, his father attested that he had "a fine, very quick swift mind". In 1737, he married the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Parness of Lissa [who was also father-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Av Beit Din of Chelm, author of Merkevet HaMishne on the Rambam]. From c. 1743, he served as Av Beit Din of Konstantinograd (in the Poltava- Volyně region), and remained in that capacity for more than 40 years. He was a prominent Torah figure in the Volyně region and questions from all over the country were sent to him. His correspondence with the Ba'al Shem Tov and with his brother-in-law Rabbi Gershon of Kuty, who turned to him with a query which arose in the city of Medzhibozh is well-known (see Mayim Chaim Yoreh De'ah Siman 27, in which he responds to the Ba'al Shem Tov in flowery reverent language praising the wonders he performed and lauding his group of holy disciples. His approbations appear in various books, including the book Meir Netivim - Or Olam" by a disciple of the Ba'al Shem Tov, Rabbi Meir Margaliot. He and the Ba'al Shem Tov and his disciples mutually respected and revered one another. When the Ba'al Shem Tov visited Konstantinograd, he visited the rabbi in his home and declared that "he was going to meet the Aron HaKodesh". Initially, Rabbi Meir was opposed to the Ba'al Shem Tov but after an occurrence he became one his foremost admirers as is apparent in the letter cited above. Extraordinary stories are told about him in Chassidic sources, such as a revelation of Eliyahu the Prophet and the fear of the leading disciples of the Ba'al Shem tov in the presence of the awesome holiness of his soul (see enclosed material).
His sons-in-law are Rabbi Dov Berish Rappaport Av Beit Din of Medzhibozh and Rabbi Zvi Hirsh of Satanov who succeeded him in the Konstantinograd rabbinate. Among his descendants is the Rebbe, author of Divrei Chaim Av Beit Din of Sanz who was very proud of his relation to Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi.
Background of this letter: In his senior years, the Ya'avetz wed his niece Rebbetzin Tzivia who bore him a son and daughter. The son died in infancy, and he was left with only his daughter whom the Ya'avetz merited in marrying off in the last year of his life [to Rabbi Leibush son of her cousin Rabbi Shaul Av Beit Din of Amsterdam]. According to her ketubah and as stated in the testament drawn by the Ya'avetz, a monetary fund was allocated for providing for his widow. However, due to a drastic decrease in the interest rates at that time, these funds did not suffice for her livelihood. The sons of the Ya'avetz from his first marriage were dispersed in many countries and the Beit Din applied to them with a request to allot additional funds from the estate to provide for their father's widow. In this letter, Rabbi Meir attacks this request of giving provisions beyond those stated in the ketubah, and accused his father's widow [who was also his cousin, daughter of his uncle Rabbi Efraim of Brody], of alienating his sisters, the daughters of the first wife of the Ya'avetz. In response to this letter, Rabbi Meir received a letter from his cousin and mechutan Rabbi Shaul, Rabbi of Amsterdam [printed in the Mayim Chaim responsa, Zhitomir, 1857, Even HaEzer Siman 35], in which he justifies the request and expounds upon the widow's difficulties. Rabbi Meir replied with an apology for his sharp rejoinder [see ibid. Siman 36].
[2] pages, 21 cm. Fair condition, wear damages affecting text.