Letter of Recommendation from R. Yehuda Grünwald Rabbi of Satmar - Satmar, 1914

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yehuda Grünwald Rabbi of Satmar (Satu Mare), addressed to his disciple R. Eliezer Bollag. Satmar, Cheshvan 1914. Letter of recommendation and "Morenu" certificate, accorded to a student of his yeshiva, Eliezer son of Yisrael Bollag. The letter concludes: "Satmar, 13th Cheshvan 1914, Yehuda Grünwald". A faded stamp appears alongside the signature: "Yehuda Grünwald Rabbi of Satmar and the region". R. Yehuda Grünwald (1848-1920), author of Zichron Yehuda, a leading rabbi and yeshiva dean in Hungary. An outstanding Torah scholar, renowned since his youth as a holy, G-d fearing man. A disciple of the Ketav Sofer, and son-in-law of the latter's brother R. Yozpa Sofer son of the Chatam Sofer (his teacher the Ketav Sofer acclaimed him at his wedding as "Holy of Holies"). Already as a student, he was a close friend of his fellow students R. Chaim Sonnenfeld (later rabbi of Jerusalem) and R. Moshe Grünwald (later rabbi of Khust, author of Arugat HaBosem), and maintained close ties with them throughout his life. He served as rabbi of Sobotište and Bonyhád, and in 1898, was appointed rabbi of Satmar. Wherever he served as rabbi he also maintained a large yeshiva, which in Satmar numbered hundreds of students, many of whom later served as rabbis and dayanim in Hungary and Romania (his renowned disciples include: R. Yosef Nechemia Kornitzer Rabbi of Selish and Kraków; R. Shemaya Löw Rabbi of Kerestir; R. Chaim Betzalel Paneth Rabbi of Reteag; R. Moshe David Ostreicher Rabbi of Cimpa; R. Naftali Herztke Hönig Rabbi of Sharmash [Sărmaşu]; and others). During his tenure as rabbi of Satmar, the community seceded from the Neologs, with the Orthodox faction maintaining control over the existing community institutions, while the Neologs instituted their independent community. This transformed Satmar into the stronghold of Orthodox Jewry in the region, headed by R. Yehuda Grünwald, who was renowned from his youth as a staunch defender of faithful Orthodox Judaism. The young Torah scholar R. Yoel Teitelbaum, who had recently settled in Satmar following his marriage, was held in high esteem by R. Yehuda Grünwald, who drew him close and supported him financially. When slanderers tried to contend that R. Yoel is not in reality needy, since he distributes much money for charity, R. Yehuda was moved, and exclaimed that in such a case, he is even more needy, and he thereafter increased his regular support. Years later, when R. Yoel served as rabbi of Satmar, he was very careful not to alter the halachic customs of the Shechita in the city, which were based on the holy instructions of the Zichron Yehuda. [1] double leaf, official stationery. 23.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears to folding marks, not affecting text. Ink stains.