FRIEDMAN, AVROHOM YA’AKOV.
(Grand Rebbe of Sadigura, 1820–1883). Autograph Letter Signed, written in Hebrew ...

FRIEDMAN, AVROHOM YA’AKOV.
(Grand Rebbe of Sadigura, 1820–1883). Autograph Letter Signed, written in Hebrew to his brother-in-law, <<R. Menachem Mendel Hager, the Grand Rebbe of Vishnitz.>>


Recommending that R. Yoseph of Kolomaye be supported and included in the Vishnitzer Kollel. The Sadigura Rebbe attests that R. Yoseph is an “Ish Kosher Veyosher.”
One page. Laid down, taped repairs. 8vo.
Sadigura: 12th Ellul


The second of six sons born to R. Yisroel of Ruzhyn and the son-in-law of R. Aharon of Karlin, R. Avrohom Ya’akov was the first Rebbe of Sadigura. In 1840 the Ruzhiner Rebbe was forced to flee Russia due to persecution by the Tsar and moved his family to the Carpathian town of Sadigura. He lived there for ten years, building a palatial home and synagogue and he attracted tens of thousands of followers. When the Ruzhiner Rebbe died at the age of 54, each of his sons moved to different towns to establish their own Chassidic courts. His eldest son, R. Sholom Yosef Friedman (1813–51) remained in Sadigura to continue leading the court his father had founded, but died ten months later. At this point, the Ruzhiner Rebbe's second son, R. Avrohom Yaakov, assumed the mantle of leadership, becoming known as the first Sadigura Rebbe. The Sadigura Rebbe maintained the extravagant lifestyle of his father's court, with its lavish accoutrements and also immersed himself in the Kabbalah, as did his father. This combination of earthly royalty and spiritual depth attracted hundreds of thousands of Jews (and others) who sought his wisdom and counsel. Indeed Chassidic and Rabbinic leadership throughout Europe deeply respected and revered him. The recipient of this letter, R. Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz (1830-83), the author of ‘Tzemach Tzedek, ’ was the son of the R. Chaim of Kosov. He was married to Miriam, one of the four daughters of R. Yisroel of Rizhin.