Admor of Sanz-Klausenburg. Mexico 1956 Historic Handwritten and Autographed Letter
Captivating letter by the Admor of Sanz-Klausenburg, Harav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam regarding his imminent visit to Eretz Yisrael and instructions for the planned cornerstone laying of Kiryat Sanz in Netanya.
This letter, written on a rare piece of yeshivah stationery, was dispatched while the Sanz-Klausenburg Rebbe was visiting the yeshivah that he founded in Mexico shortly after the Holocaust. The letterhead proclaims in Spanish: “Yeshiva y Mesivta Jayim Tzvi Primera Sabiduria, Mexico D.F. (Distrito Federal)” which was the original name of Mexico City. Primera Sabiduria, which is Spanish for Reishis Chochmah, was the yeshivah’s Spanish name.
In this letter, the Sanzer Rebbe informs the Kiryat Sanz-Netanya founding board members that he plans to arrive in Eretz Yisrael on 17 Adar and to hold the cornerstone laying event the very next day, on 18 Adar. He adds that since he is unable to remain in Eretz Yisrael for longer than one week, he requests that they please “Ensure that everything is arranged in the proper order and that every moment of time is accounted for.” He further requests, “that everything should proceed based on the Torah and the ways of our forefathers….”
On 17 Adar, 5716 (1956), the Sanzer Rebbe embarked upon his journey to Eretz Yisrael. Four days later, on 21 Adar, the yahrzeit of the Noam Elimelech, a gala cornerstone laying event was held for the future Kiryat Sanz in Netanya.
Mexico, 1956. Page size: 27x12cm. Written on Yeshiva Mesivta Jayim Tzvi stationery with postmark on original envelope. Fold marks. Good condition.
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Yeshiva Mesivta Jayim Tzvi — Primera Sabiduria
Founded by the Admor of Sanz-Klausenburg
In 1952, the Admor of Sanz-Klausenburg Harav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam founded Yeshivas Reishis Chochmah (Primera Sabiduria) and Mesivta Jayim (Chaim) Tzvi- Reishis Chochmah in Mexico City. The yeshivah was meant to attract young Syrian Jewish expatriates and refugees of Eastern Europe who fled to South America and Mexico during and after the Holocaust.
The notion of a yeshivah in the spiritual desert that was Mexico of yesteryear, sounded unrealistic at the time. Yet the yeshivah succeeded beyond all excpitations, flourishing and drawing many broken, and wandering souls to Torah and mitzvos. The yeshivah followed all Sanz customs, including their prayer text and even their melodies. Link
This fascinating chapter in the Rebbe’s life is known to few, yet shortly after the yeshivah was established the Rebbe traveled to Mexico to offer spiritual strength, inspiration, and encouragement to the local Jews. His visit made a deep impression on the hearts of many Mexican Jews who, until this day, attribute their connection to Judaism to that auspicious Shabbos spent in the presence of the Sanzer Rebbe.
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