Discovery: Karlin-Lelov Dispute - Most Important "Gilui Dat" - Only Known Copy in the World

Discovery: Karlin-Lelov Dispute - Most Important "Gilui Dat" - Only Known Copy in the World

Extraordinarily important historic-Chassidic document dealing with one of the most significant Chassidic disputes of recent generations, with extremely important and thus far unknown details of said dispute. [Jerusalem, 1962].

Authentic document written during the events such that all the details are still sharp and clear, and not open to the misinterpretation of historic perspective. The gilui hadat  is signed by "Chassidei Karlin-Stolin" and it was written by the "Alte Karliner" [the elders], who appointed the Admo"r of Lelov as Admo"r of Karlin-Stolin.

It is clear that the letter was written from the bottom of their hearts as the Chassidim were undergoing the tragic splintering of a centuries-old Chassidut. This was especially painful in the Karlin Chassidut, in which the love and connection to the rebbe was even more than in other Chassidic courts. As the elder Chassidim also write in this letter, two avreichim expressed in their rage that blood will spill, and therefore the process of appointing the Rebbe of Lelov was stopped in the middle.

This continues across three large typewritten folio pages, as the Chassidim write the details on these leaves, describing all sides of the dispute, right as it was occurring [from the perspective of the Alte Karliners, of course]. In the margins of the letter, the elders try to turn the hearts of the younger ones to return and join together under the leadership of the Lelover Rebbe - who promises not to change one iota from the customs of Karlin-Stolin.

The most important section in this document, and to the best of our knowledge, unknown from any other source [not for no reason] - and this is the only source known for it - is section 5, on page 3, which firmly determines: "The appointment, as declared by the Admo"r shlit"a [of Karlin-Lelov] is only until the grandson in America comes of age. With Hashem's help, when he is already educated in the ways of our sacred rabbis, everything will be transferred to him" (!!)

Some background: After the passing of the Admo"r Rabbi Yochanan of Lutzk-Karlin, some of the Chassidim accepted the grandson, who was still a child, as Admo"r, but most of the Chassidim appointed the Admo"r Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Lelov, who became known as the Admo"r of Karlin-Lelov. Fascinating details of the episode are present in this open letter, and the tension between the groups is very evident between the lines. The dispute continued at full strength for decades after this letter was written. It spread and branched out even after the passing of the Admo"r of Lelov and the appointment of his son as his successor. Due to this dispute, the Admo"r of Lelov left his position as Admo'r of Karlin in the end, and the Alte Karliners appointed Rabbi Rosenfeld in his stead. Rabbi Rosenfeld was one of the elder Chassidim, who voiced his agreement to bring before the beit din the question of who had the right to use the name "Karlin." After a lengthy and emotional din Torah heard by the dayan Rabbi Mendel Shafran, a historic ruling was written that calmed the decades-long dispute: Both factions can use the name “Karlin” along with another name. Rabbi Shafran’s historic ruling entered the pantheon of famous historic rulings as a result of his apt turn of phrase, “Just as the Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola companies exist side-by-side, so too ‘Pinsk-Karlin’ and ‘Stolin-Karlin …’ ”

[3] leaf. Approximately 32 cm.

Fine condition. Minimal aging stains, tiny tears in the folds.