Famous Iggeres Hakodesh by the Kedushas Tzion of Bobov, Pre-Holocaust.
Cracow, 1939
A historic and special letter by the holy Admor Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam of Bobov, to provide strength and comfort to the broken-hearted Jews of that time, who were in a difficult situation as the threat of world war loomed close.
Regarded as the Rebbe’s “final will and testament”, the letter is filled with heartfelt words of chizzuk, consolation, and deep trust in Hashem. From the depths of his heart, he pleads for an increase in acts of chessed on behalf of the tens of thousands of Jews who had already been expelled from Poland.
Due to the immense importance of its message, the letter spread swiftly throughout Europe, leaving a profound impression upon all who read it.
His son, the Admor Rabbi Shlomo, mentioned the Iggeres in a letter to his chassidim in 1946:
"It is clearly evident that the holy Rebbe z”l, wrote about matters which had not yet occurred in his time and ruach hakodesh was present in his beis medrash, to leave us these words of comfort — to revive the broken spirits of our suffering brothers, the surviving remnant, and to inspire within us a renewed spirit in such a time, after we have suffered bitterly…"
The letter was printed just one year before the Holocaust, in which the Rebbe was murdered, hy”d. These words are his only ones published and disseminated during his lifetime.
An exceedingly rare and important item!
Rabbi Bentzion Halberstam (1874-1941) was the son of Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam and grandson of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. He was a leading Galician Rebbe prior to World War II. In 1899, on the advice of the Shinover Rebbe, he married the daughter of Rabbi Shalom Eliezer of Ratzfert, son of the Divrei Chaim, and lived with his father-in-law for about half a year. In 1905 he assumed his father’s mantle and began leading as Rebbe, reestablishing his father’s yeshiva and leading a new generation of chassidim, for whom he cared both spiritually and physically. His tefillos were filled with deep emotion, and his niggunim became legendary. He was brutally murdered in the Holocaust, hy”d.
Cracow, 1939. Printed by Yeshivas Eitz Chaim – Bobov in Cracow.
Page Count: [4] pages + front and back covers.
Size: 18.2 cm.
Condition: Good to fair. Tears and repairs along the inner margins. New binding.
The title page features an intriguing signed note: “Worthy of being publicized! Shlomo [Halberstam?]”
