Auction 57 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Interesting Letter from Rabbi Aryeh Levin Refusing the Title "Honorary Citizen" of Jerusalem
Opening: $400
Sold for: $2,250
Including buyer's premium
A letter (about 20 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Aryeh Levin, "the Tzaddik of Jerusalem". Jerusalem, [Tevet (December), 1961].
The letter is written on the back of a letter from Mordechai Ish Shalom, mayor of Jerusalem, dated November 1961 and sent in response to a relative of R. Aryeh Levin, who wrote to the mayor regarding newspaper report that the city of Jerusalem refused to award the title "Honorary Citizen" to R. Levin and to Martin Buber.
The mayor's response negating such rumors and declaring his eagerness to bestow the award upon R. Aryeh was seemingly forwarded to R. Aryeh, who was horrified at the very idea of receiving such an honor. R. Aryeh wrote his response on the back of the mayor's letter, giving us a glimpse into the life of the man who was concerned for the honor of everyone except for himself.
"…And now, my dear sir, I have received your response to my relative Sara Eshbal… I was horrified to consider [receiving such an honor]… and I request that the matter be dropped without further ado… Honor to one who does not deserve it is too heavy a burden to bear. I did not do anything in building this land; I did not build houses, plant vineyards or dig wells. And if I shared in the pain of our suffering brothers, I have already received far more honor than I deserve. I will be eternally grateful to his honor if he would have pity on my [ailing] health and drop this matter entirely, and give the honor to one who truly deserves it. It is a great honor for me to spend even one night in Jerusalem, not to mention being a citizen of the holy city… Aryeh Levin".
Official stationary of the mayor of Jerusalem. 22 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Slight stains and wear.
For further information regarding R. Aryeh Levin's refusal of this honorary title, see "A Tzaddik in Our Times" by Simcha Raz, pp. 54-55.
The letter is written on the back of a letter from Mordechai Ish Shalom, mayor of Jerusalem, dated November 1961 and sent in response to a relative of R. Aryeh Levin, who wrote to the mayor regarding newspaper report that the city of Jerusalem refused to award the title "Honorary Citizen" to R. Levin and to Martin Buber.
The mayor's response negating such rumors and declaring his eagerness to bestow the award upon R. Aryeh was seemingly forwarded to R. Aryeh, who was horrified at the very idea of receiving such an honor. R. Aryeh wrote his response on the back of the mayor's letter, giving us a glimpse into the life of the man who was concerned for the honor of everyone except for himself.
"…And now, my dear sir, I have received your response to my relative Sara Eshbal… I was horrified to consider [receiving such an honor]… and I request that the matter be dropped without further ado… Honor to one who does not deserve it is too heavy a burden to bear. I did not do anything in building this land; I did not build houses, plant vineyards or dig wells. And if I shared in the pain of our suffering brothers, I have already received far more honor than I deserve. I will be eternally grateful to his honor if he would have pity on my [ailing] health and drop this matter entirely, and give the honor to one who truly deserves it. It is a great honor for me to spend even one night in Jerusalem, not to mention being a citizen of the holy city… Aryeh Levin".
Official stationary of the mayor of Jerusalem. 22 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Slight stains and wear.
For further information regarding R. Aryeh Levin's refusal of this honorary title, see "A Tzaddik in Our Times" by Simcha Raz, pp. 54-55.
Letters
Letters