Auction 33 - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters
Letter by Rabbi Leib Sarah’s to the Maggid of Mezrich – Original Document from the “Kherson Geniza”
Opening: $10,000
Sold for: $12,500
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi “Leib ben Sarah” to “my mentor and rabbi, rabbi of entire Diaspora… Rabbi Dover of Ravenna”. Slavita, 1771.
This letter was first printed [with slight language variations] in "Sefer Ginzei Nistarot" (Jerusalem, 1924, p. 3 in second count) and in other collections of letters of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples, which were printed from the “Kherson Geniza” [archive]. This letter is the original document from that famous archive.
Rabbi Aryeh Leib Sarah’s (1730-1791), born in Rovno, city of residence of Maggid Rabbi Dov Ber who later on moved to Mezrich. Named after his righteous mother, Ms. Sarah, [it is related that his birth was miraculous, as a result of his mother’s self-sacrifice to preserve her Jewish purity]. Already in youth was closely associated with the Ba’al Shem Tov and adhered to his beliefs; frequently visited home of Maggid of Mezrich. Exalted diligent Torah scholar who discussed Torah with Rabbi Shimshon of Shepetivka and was one of the hidden righteous Torah giants of his generation; spent his life travelling through cities and towns, visiting markets and various places, while performing righteous deeds. Especially dedicated his efforts to redemption of captives and rescue of the oppressed.
Rabbi Leib Sarah’s served as the theme for dozens of Chassidic stories. According to legend, he would travel to Vienna and lobby in favour of Jews. Chassidim relate that Rabbi Lieb would invisibly enter the palace of Kaiser Franz Josef II and influence him to abolish the law of education for Jewish children. His Divrei Torah as well as stories related to him were collected by Rabbi Reuven Margaliot in Sefer Gevurat Ari (Lemberg 1930).
Chassidim found an interesting hint alluding to the supernatural powers attributed to him, in the book Raziel HaMalach which was printed approximately thirty years prior to his birth, in Amsterdam 1601, in which (on page 42/2) a special Kabbalistic prayer appears: that he may open the “heart of Leib son of Sarah to study Torah… and logic of Torah and secrets of Torah and depths of Torah, and his heart be as a gushing wellspring …” (see: Shem HaGedolim HaChadash, editorial 30, leaf 43. For additional information see attached article, of “Notrikon” blog).
20.5 cm. leaf. Fair-poor condition, dry and worn paper, moth damage and severe stains, glued upon another old paper for preservation. On upper right corner, numbering: 22. Fine cloth binding.
This letter was first printed [with slight language variations] in "Sefer Ginzei Nistarot" (Jerusalem, 1924, p. 3 in second count) and in other collections of letters of the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples, which were printed from the “Kherson Geniza” [archive]. This letter is the original document from that famous archive.
Rabbi Aryeh Leib Sarah’s (1730-1791), born in Rovno, city of residence of Maggid Rabbi Dov Ber who later on moved to Mezrich. Named after his righteous mother, Ms. Sarah, [it is related that his birth was miraculous, as a result of his mother’s self-sacrifice to preserve her Jewish purity]. Already in youth was closely associated with the Ba’al Shem Tov and adhered to his beliefs; frequently visited home of Maggid of Mezrich. Exalted diligent Torah scholar who discussed Torah with Rabbi Shimshon of Shepetivka and was one of the hidden righteous Torah giants of his generation; spent his life travelling through cities and towns, visiting markets and various places, while performing righteous deeds. Especially dedicated his efforts to redemption of captives and rescue of the oppressed.
Rabbi Leib Sarah’s served as the theme for dozens of Chassidic stories. According to legend, he would travel to Vienna and lobby in favour of Jews. Chassidim relate that Rabbi Lieb would invisibly enter the palace of Kaiser Franz Josef II and influence him to abolish the law of education for Jewish children. His Divrei Torah as well as stories related to him were collected by Rabbi Reuven Margaliot in Sefer Gevurat Ari (Lemberg 1930).
Chassidim found an interesting hint alluding to the supernatural powers attributed to him, in the book Raziel HaMalach which was printed approximately thirty years prior to his birth, in Amsterdam 1601, in which (on page 42/2) a special Kabbalistic prayer appears: that he may open the “heart of Leib son of Sarah to study Torah… and logic of Torah and secrets of Torah and depths of Torah, and his heart be as a gushing wellspring …” (see: Shem HaGedolim HaChadash, editorial 30, leaf 43. For additional information see attached article, of “Notrikon” blog).
20.5 cm. leaf. Fair-poor condition, dry and worn paper, moth damage and severe stains, glued upon another old paper for preservation. On upper right corner, numbering: 22. Fine cloth binding.
Hassidism - Manuscripts and Letters
Hassidism - Manuscripts and Letters