Letter of Smicha, Handwritten by R. Mordechai of Ashmyany

Handwritten letter from the Kabbalist R. Mordechai of Ushmina (Ashmyany). Slonim, 1906.
Letter of smicha for "the beloved… R. Mordechai Zalman ben R. Menachem Mendel of Slonim".
Official stationary. Paper only includes the first half of the letter.
R. Mordechai Weisel Rosenblatt, known as R. Mordechai of Ashmyany (1837-1916), served as rabbi in Antipolya, Byten, Karelichy, Ashmyany and Slonim. He was known as a Kabbalist and a miracle worker, and also renowned for the charity he distributed. In addition to travelling to seek his blessing, many Jewish families in Lithuania hung his portrait on the walls of their homes. One of the famous stories regarding R. Mordechai is known from his "Iggeret Hachalom" - a letter that he wrote to R. Pinchas Michael Grossleit of Antipolya. The letter describes a dream in which Mahari Ibn Lev (Salonika, 16th century) appeared to R. Mordechai and commanded him to study Responsa Mahari as an atonement for an ancestor of R. Mordechai who infringed on the honor of the Mahari.
13 cm. Fair condition. Stains and large tears, with damage to text. Page is torn in half and repaired with paper and tape.