Bidspirit auction | A Large leaf handwritten by

A Large leaf handwritten by the wonder-worker, the Baal Shem of Michelstadt, Rabbi Zekil Leib Wormser. - The leaf contains a list of names of people to whom lessons should be dedicated, by where they live in Ashkenaz; apparently, for their donations to the yeshiva of the Baal Shem in Michelstadt. The list mentions many ancient Jewish communities in Ashkenaz, and it reflects the wide renown of his yeshiva throughout Ashkenazic Jewry. The entries are written in both Hebrew and vernacular languages. Among the towns mentioned are: Dittigheim, Rexingen, Hirschtrick, Rilzheim, Kleinwallstadt, Altdorf, Ernsbach, Hegneheim, Gailingen, Munich, Dietenheim, Weitenrath, Freudenberg near Bärenbach, Mühlbach near Hersfeld (Hesse), Einzbach near Öhringen, Eschwege, Hessloch near Worms, Kissingen an der Saale, Hanau, Mittersholz, Tauberbischofsheim, Kassel, and Kaiserslautern. The Tzaddik and Mekubal Rabbi Zekil Leib (Yitzchak Aryeh) Wormser (1768-1848) – the Baal Shem of Michelstadt: a descendant of the Luria family, the family of the Maharshal and Rashi, and a descendant of Rabbi Eliyahu Baal Shem Luntz who was known as the Baal Shem of Worms. In his youth studied under the Mekubal Rabbi Natan Adler in Frankfurt and later returned to his hometown, Michelstadt. There he established his Beit Midrash, served as the Rav of the town and its vicinity and founded a Yeshiva, to which many students flocked. Was famed as a Tzaddik wonder-worker, thus known as the Baal Shem. Many came to him from varied states and countries with requests for Yeshu'ah, being saved by his blessings, Segulot and amulets. His name became renowned among both Jews and non-Jews. According to tradition, German soldiers who prayed at his grave during World War I all returned safely from battle. A commemorative plaque from the city of Michelstadt is placed on the house where he lived, referring to him as a “friend of mankind.” He promised that whoever prays at his grave would have their prayers accepted, and to this day people travel to Michelstadt to pray at his gravesite (see Kivrei Tzaddikim in Ashkenaz, p. 126). His writings and novellae were published in the sefer Ba’al Shem of Michelstadt (Machon Yerushalayim edition). [1] leaf – written on both sides. 33 cm. Good condition. Fold lines. Light tears along the edges.