“Hashem should have mercy that I shall merit to hear good news from my family…”
Poignant handwritten letter by the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Stropkov after the Holocaust. Switzerland, 1946
This moving letter by the Admor Harav Menachem Mendel of Stropkov was inscribed to the noted philanthropist Rabbi Yisrael Zupnik shortly after the Holocaust. Replete with fascinating content, the letter offers an eye-opening glimpse into the complexities and challenges of that painful era. Included is a detailed account of the Admor’s efforts to locate his own family and the recipient’s family along with what he discovered of their fate during the war. Harav Menachem Mendel also describes his prayers on the High Holy Days, and in response to Zupnik’s question regarding clothing, replies, “Thank Hashem, I have already prepared for myself silk garments for Shabbos, and for weekdays like what I always wore at home.”
The Admor Harav Menachem Mendel of Stropkov (1873-1954) was the eldest son of Harav Shalom of Stropkov, author of Dover Shalom, a grandson of the Admor Harav Yechezkel of Shinova, author of Divrei Yechezkel, and a great-grandson of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz who was Harav Menachem Mendel’s sandak at his bris. His mother passed away when Harav Menachem Mendel was still a young child, and he was thus raised in the home of his grandfather the Shinova Rebbe.
During the war years, the Admor fled to Budapest where he went into hiding along with Harav Aaron of Belz who gave him a kvittel. From Budapest, he escaped miraculously to Switzerland from where this letter was sent. His journeys then led him to America in 1947 where he was revered as a scion of a previous generation of holy tzaddikim and halachic masters. He was venerated by his contemporary Rebbes and chassidim alike as a tzaddik and miracle worker, drawing hundreds to flock to his door in search of blessings and salvations.
He authored the Divrei Menachem.
At the request of the Divrei Yoel he served as sandak at the bris of the Admor Harav Aaron of Satmar shlit”a. Upon his passing, both the Satmar and Skverer Rebbes zy”a convened at his bedside when his neshamah departed the world.
Guttenburg , Switzerland. 1946. Dated 26 Tishrei, 5706 Long, double-sided letter. Page size: 29×21 cm.
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