EXCEPTIONALLY RARE! HANDWRITTEN SIGNED LETTER FROM RABBI YITZCHAK ISAAC EICHENSTEIN, REBBE OF ZYDACZOW, AND ...

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE! HANDWRITTEN SIGNED LETTER FROM RABBI YITZCHAK ISAAC EICHENSTEIN, REBBE OF ZYDACZOW, AND HIS SON RABBI ELIYAHU, TO RABBI MENACHEM MENDEL PANET, REBBE OF DEZ, AUTHOR OF MAAGLEI TZEDEK.

An extremely rare handwritten signed letter by one of the greatest chassidic leaders of his era, famous as a great cabalist and performer of miracles, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Zydaczow, disciple and successor to Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein of Zydaczow – the Ateres Tzvi.

This letter, dated 1867, was sent to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Panet, Rabbi and Rebbe of Dez, author of Maaglei Tzedek. The first part of the letter was written by Rabbi Eliyahu Eichenstein of Zydaczow, on the instructions of his father Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac, asking the Rabbi of Dez to collect a sum of money for charity among his congregants.

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac adds a few lines in his own handwriting, as follows:

‘I send my greetings to the great luminary, the sharp and well-versed Torah scholar, the honourable Rabbi Menachem Mendel, Av Beth Din ..., I request that your honour should please collect the above-mentioned sum, and the verse [that says] ‘The gift of a person shall make things more comfortable for him’ shall be fulfilled [in reward], and I shall pray for [you] for all the best forever, and I request that you fulfil this request quickly. These are the words of hakatan Yitzchak Isaac of Zydaczow.’

This seems to be one of only very few letters in the handwriting of this holy Rabbi ever to be sold.

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Zydaczow (1805-1873), son of Rabbi Yissachar Berish of Zydaczow, and disciple of (his uncle) Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein of Zydaczow – the Ateres Tzvi, who said that ‘no soul as holy as his has been in this world for several hundred years’. In 1848, on the instructions of the Rebbe of Ruzhin, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac began to serve as Rebbe to growing numbers of chassidim, and to publicise his cabalistic teachings in the tradition of his father and uncles - the Rebbes of the Zydaczow dynasty. Prominent contemporary chassidic leaders, including the great Rebbes of Sighet, Belz, Liska, Sieniawa, Spinka and Komarna, would come to see him and considered themselves to be his students and adherents. He was highly revered throughout the chassidic world and his teachings, practices and customs were accepted in the chassidic courts of Tosh, Koszon, Spinka, Komarna, Kalov and others. He was the author of Peirush Maharya on Medrash Rabba and Yalkut Shimoni, Likutei Torah VeShas.

Rabbi Eliyahu Eichenstein (1837-1878), son of Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Zydaczow and son-in-law of Rabbi Yehuda Leibish Erlich of Rozdol. Close disciple of his father, succeeding him as Rebbe of Zydaczow. Author of Zichron Eliyahu.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Paneth (1818-1885), son and disciple of Rabbi Yechezkel of Karlsburg, author of Mareh Yechezkel. Disciple of the Chasam Sofer and of the Yismach Moshe. Rabbi of Orishar (1842) and Dés (1855). He was renowned as a miracle-working leader of his many chassidim, and was the author of Shaarei Tzedek, Mishpat Tzedek, Avnei Tzedek and Maaglei Tzedek. and the founder of the Kollel Ahavas Tzion – Rabbi Meir Baal Haness charity in Yerushalayim. He succeeded his father as Chief Rabbi of Transylvania. 

1 side. 17 x 21 cm. Very good condition.