Auction 58 Rare and Important Items
Oct 31, 2017 (Your local time)
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 29:

Letter of Blessings for a Cure and "for a Life of Gratification, Blessing and Peace" - By Rabbi Avraham Yaakov (the ...

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Letter of Blessings for a Cure and "for a Life of Gratification, Blessing and Peace" - By Rabbi Avraham Yaakov (the First) of Sadigura, Son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhyn
Letter with the full signature of R. "Avraham Yaakov son of R. Yisrael" of Sadigura, sent to his son. Undated [probably written in the summer of 1864, to his son R. Shlomo'nyu, during the time he stayed in Vienna for medical care].
The upper half of the letter is lacking, only the last five lines remain - blessings and good wishes (written by a scribe), with the Rebbe's signature: "…and as from time to time, I bestow my blessing upon you that G-d should send you help and speedy salvation, and that I should merit seeing you soon in complete health… with a life of gratification, blessings and peace from the Master of Peace. Your father… Avraham Yaakov son of R. Yisrael".
R. Avraham Yaakov (the First) of Sadigura (1819-1883), a notable rebbe in his times and leader of Charedi Jewry. Son and successor of his holy father, R. Yisrael of Ruzhyn, in his Beit Midrash in Sadigura. Son-in-law of Rebbe Aharon of Karlin, author of Beit Aharon, and by second marriage son-in-law of his brother R. Menachem Nachum of Shtefaneshty. He was rebbe to thousands of Chassidim and many thronged to receive his blessings, counsel and guidance. A holy man, he concealed his great stature, and only by chance the many tikkunim he performed for souls of the dead at their behest from heaven were revealed. He was known for his royal conduct following the Ruzhyn Rebbes' demeanor of wealth and prosperity, but he himself was holy and abstained from food until his intestines completely shriveled. He stood at the helm of Charedi Jewry in his times, and joined the Belzer Rebbe in founding Machzikei HaDat in Galicia. He initiated the completion of the magnificent Tiferet Yisrael synagogue in Jerusalem. He suffered from the Russian government's pursuit of the House of Ruzhyn. Following his letter to Montefiore requesting him to help save Russian Jewry from the Tsar, the Russian authorities turned to the Austro-Hungarian Empire with a libel of counterfeit money, resulting in the imprisonment of R. Avraham Yaakov for two years (from 1856-1858).
His son, the recipient of this letter, is R. Shlomo'nyu, who was sickly and died in his father's lifetime. Glorious dynasties of rebbes branched from his other descendants, which led the Jewish world in various countries: his sons R. Yisrael of Sadigura and R. Yitzchak of Boyan, the dynasties of the Rebbes of Boyan, Sadigura, Bohush (Buhuși), Shtefenesht, Husiatyn, Drohobych, Koptchintz, etc.
Leaf, approximately 14.5X8 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and tears. Lacking upper half of letter.
This letter was printed in the book Igrot HaRav HaKadosh M'Ruzhyn U'Vanav, Part 2, Igeret (letter) 114, p. 255.