Rare Holocaust Era Letter from Rabbi Menachem Mendle Halberstam of Stropkov, Following His Escape; Switzerland, 1946
Letter from Rabbi Menachem Mendle Halberstam of Stropkov, handwritten and signed in his holy handwriting, addressed to the philanthropist Rabbi Yisrael Zupnik.
Rabbi Menachem Mendle sent this letter while residing in Switzerland, where he fled to during the Second World War. At the time of this letter, it seems that the Admor was still uncertain as to the fate of his family. Rabbi Menachem Mendle wished to publish sefer Divrei Yechezkel, authored by his holy grandfather, Rabbi Yechezkel of Shinowa, as a beam of light upon the darkness of Europe.
He writes:
"Because it is very correct to publish his (Rabbi Yechezkel’s) holy words, which enter the heart of man and arouse within him fear of G-d and [a desire] to serve G-d. And now, when the evil men are ruling the countries of Europe, perhaps there is no copy left. If so, it is very proper to return the crown to its former glory…"
Rabbi Menachem Mendle of Stropkov (1879 – 1954) was the son of Rabbi Avraham Shalom of Stropkov, son of the holy Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Shinowa, son of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. Upon his arrival in America following the Holocaust, he was looked upon as a last remnant of prewar tzaddikim and admired and respected by all of the admorim. His Torah novellae are published in the sefer Divrei Menachem. Seven of Rabbi Menachem Mendle’s children perished in the Holocaust.
Good condition
