HaDerech – Budapest, Shvat 1944 – Words of the Belzer Rebbe Upon his Escape from the Holocaust to Eretz Israel – ...

HaDerech – Budapest, Shvat 1944 – Words of the Belzer Rebbe Upon his Escape from the Holocaust to Eretz Israel – Second Edition, Uncensored

Words of the Belzer Rebbe Upon his Escape from the Holocaust to Eretz Israel –

HaDerech, Issue I, "Derech Tzaddikim – Farewell sermon of R. Mordechai Rokeach, Rabbi of Biłgoraj… which he delivered here at Tiferet Bachurim's celebration of the completion of a tractate"; "Derech Kedoshim – the words of R. Aharon Rokeach the Belzer Rebbe… said here in Budapest prior their departure to Eretz Israel". Edited by R. Menachem Aharon Lebovics, rabbi in Chop. Budapest, 23 Shvat 1944. Second edition.

The HaDerech booklet was first published on 13th Shevat 1944, and contained the farewell sermon of R. Mordechai of Bulgaria, delivered before leaving Budapest for Eretz Israel. R. Mordechai arrived in Budapest with his brother, the Rebbe of Belz, after they miraculously escaped the  ghetto, remaining there from Iyar 1943 until Tevet 1944. In the sermon, R. Mordechai of Bulgaria describes the atrocities of the Holocaust in Poland and Galicia, and the pressing need to help refugees from those countries.

He then apologizes for his imminent departure to Eretz Israel, together with his brother, explaining that their journey is not an escape from Hungary, which he confidently states will not be affected by the Holocaust, but rather stems from their yearning and love for Eretz Israel. Further in the booklet, the Rebbe is quoted saying that their trip to Eretz Israel is temporary, with the intention of returning, and his brother R. Mordechai of Bulgaria explained that according to a tradition from their forefathers, settling in Eretz Israel before the coming of Moshiach is futile (p. 26).

Some ten days later, on 23rd Shevat 1944, a second, revised edition of this booklet was published, omitting some references to their immigration to Eretz Israel (a month later, a third edition, also revised, was printed in Budapest, with the imprint "Second impression, Adar 1944" see next lot). The present copy is from the second edition, bearing the date 23rd Shevat, however it is identical in contents to the first edition of 13th Shevat, with no omissions. 

Good condition.