Letter from the Holy Brothers Rabbi Nachum of Shadik (Lamid Vav)
and Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Lowy; Jerusalem, 1859
Letter from the brothers Rabbi Nachum of Shadik and Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Levi, founders of Kollel Poland and leaders of Jerusalem’s Jewish settlement, addressed to Sir Moses Montefiore.
The Holy Brothers: Rabbi Nachum of Shadik, Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Leib and Rabbi Asher Lemel were brothers. All three of them dreamed one night that they should immigrate to Eretz Yisrael. Following this, the three brothers left Poland for Eretz Yisrael in 1845.
Rabbi Nachum of Shadik (1811-1866) was the most famous of the three , he was a brilliant Kabbalist and was considered one of the 36 hidden tzaddikim of his generation. Known for his holiness and devout behaviors, he used to fast throughout the week and an angel will reveal itself to him, teaching him Torah secrets. His son was Rabbi David Baharan.
Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Leib Levi (1813-1889), served as Av Beis Din of Jerusalem for over forty years. He was a tremendous scholar, fluent in both the hidden and revealed Torah, and was one of the scholars of the Kabbalistic Beit El yeshiva. Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Leib lived his life according to the teachings of the Arizal. He was one of the leaders of the Ashkenazic settlement in Jerusalem and a founder of Kollel Poland.
The letter is signed by both brothers.
At the bottom of the letter, the two brothers inquire after the welfare of London’s rabbi, Rabbi Nathan Adler, author of ‘Nesina Lager, ’ and sign their names there as well.
Dated Jerusalem, 1859.
1 leaf | 22 x 27 cm | Greenish paper | Creases and fold marks
