Letter from Rebbe Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam, with a concluding note in his handwriting and with his signature. Kraków, [1934].
The letter is addressed to R. Chaim Shaul Schöndorf in Nuremberg. Written on an official postcard from the Rebbe's court in Kraków, the letter contains the Rebbe's blessings for a complete recovery, and confirmation of the receipt of Pidyon Nefesh monies.
The letter is written by a scribe on the Rebbe's behalf, with the addition of approximately two lines handwritten and signed by the Rebbe: "So are the words of one who seeks his wellbeing and blesses him with a complete recovery, Yitzchak Yeshaya son of the righteous rabbi of Sanz".
Rebbe Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam of Chechiav (1864-1943, perished in the Holocaust, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut II, pp. 412-413) was the youngest son of Rebbe Chaim Halberstam, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. Son-in-law of R. Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz (Murovani Kurylivtsi), who was the son-in-law of R. Yehoshua of Belz, and in his second marriage, of R. Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów. His father, R. Chaim of Sanz, attested that he possesses a holy soul. He absorbed Chassidism from his older brothers: R. Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova (Sieniawa), R. Baruch of Gorlitz (Gorlice) and R. David of Kshanow (Chrzanów). After his marriage, he settled in Belz and learned Torah from his wife's grandfather, Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz. At the age of nineteen, he was appointed rabbi of Chechiav (Czchów) and was since referred to as R. Yeshayale Chechiaver. He later moved to Satmar, ultimately establishing his court in Kraków. He earned the reputation of a righteous and pious miracle worker, with thousands of followers flocking to his court. Upon the German invasion of Kraków, he was confined to a ghetto. After escaping to Lviv, he wandered from place to place before settling in Bochnia. The Germans searched for him, eventually locating the bunker he was hiding in and murdering all its inhabitants. According to another version, he was murdered together with R. Meir of Vielipoli (Wielopole Skrzyńskie) in the town square, both wrapped in their prayer shawls.
Official postcard, with printed letterhead: "Yitzchak Yeshaya Halberstam, Kraków"; the Rebbe's name and address are printed in Polish on the verso. 15X10 cm. Very good condition. Postage stamp removed. Light stains.