Letter Written by Lviv Community Members to Their Rabbi, Author of Yeshuot Yaakov – Appointment of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch ...

Letter Written by Lviv Community Members to Their Rabbi, Author of Yeshuot Yaakov – Appointment of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Charif, Succeeding Kabbalist Rabbi Meshulam Katz, Author of Ikar Tosfot Yom Tov – Lviv, 1810
Historical document – letter bearing 45 signatures of Lviv (Lvov) community notables, sent to the Rabbi of the city, R. Yaakov Meshulam Orenstein (author of Yeshuot Yaakov). Lviv, Adar Bet 1810.
The community members signed an appointment document requesting the city rabbi to appoint a Magid Mesharim (preacher) and posek in the city to succeed the holy kabbalist R. Meshulam HaCohen [died during Sukkot of that year], particularly requesting the appointment of R. Zvi Hirsh Charif (Heller) Rabbi of Brzesko (Brigel; author of Tiv Gittin) to fill this position. Historic document related to the history of the Lviv community [the history of the Lviv community has been lengthily documented in the book Klilat Yofi (Krakow, 1888, 1893), however this document of appointment is not mentioned there].
The letter contains praise of their late rabbi who led the community for many years. They also write of their wish to continue strengthening Torah study and describe their fervent wish to appoint a prominent Torah scholar to teach Torah in their community [in the end, R. Zvi Hirsch did not accept the position; he chose to head the Brody Yeshiva].
Kabbalist R. Meshulam Cohen Tzedek (1758-1810), author of Ikar Tosfot Yom Tov on the Mishnah and Pitchei Nidah on the laws of Nidah, officiated as Rabbi of Korets from 1788, succeeding his brother Kabbalist R. Yitzchak Isaac HaCohen, author of Brit Kehunat Olam, disciple of the Magid of Mezritch. In the early 1790s, he was appointed magid and posek of "out of town" Lviv [the name a large suburb of Lviv. Eminent Torah scholars officiated as rabbis of "out of town" and their status was similar to deputy rabbi of greater Lviv]. Descendant of Kabbalist R. Naftali Katz, author of Semicha Chachamim, he studied kabbalah extensively and published his brother's profound book Brit Kehunat Olam. He endorsed many books, including books with kabbalistic and Chassidic content and the books of the Admor HaZaken, Baal HaTanya.
R. Zvi Hirsch Heller (1776-1835, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, Vo. 2, pp. 665-671), prominent Rabbi of Galicia and Hungary hailed as "R. Hirsch Charif" (the sharp), due to his genius and cleverness. Rabbi of Brzesko in Galicia and later head of the renowned Brody Yeshiva. Slanderous accusations compelled him to flee the city to Hungary, there he officiated in the Bonyhád, Uzhhorod and Óbuda (Alt-Ofen) rabbinates. Many leading rabbis were his disciples, such as R. Zvi Hirsch of Liska (Olaszliszka) and R. Shlomo Ganzfried, author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Author of the Tiv Gittin novellae and other compositions.
Large leaf. 38 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Stains and wear.