Letter of Good Year Blessings from the First Rebbe of Deyzh, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Paneth, Disciple of the Chatam ...

Letter of Good Year Blessings from the First Rebbe of Deyzh, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Paneth, Disciple of the Chatam Sofer - Deyzh, 1875
Letter handwritten and signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Paneth. Deyzh (Dej), Elul 1875. Addressed to his nephew R. Asher Shmuel Paneth, son of his brother R. Chaim Betzalel Paneth Rabbi of Toshnad (Tășnad). The letter begins with blessings for a good year: "May he be inscribed immediately in the book of righteous men, for good and proper life… my beloved one, my nephew, the erudite and astute rabbi…". He blesses him among others that he should be successful in finding a rabbinic position shortly, indicating that it appears that he will be offered the position of rabbi of Toshnad. The letter is signed: "So are the words of his uncle, who seeks his wellbeing, Menachem Mendel Paneth". R. Menachem Mendel Paneth, Rabbi of Deyzh (1818-1885) was the son of Rebbe Yechezkel author of Mareh Yechezkel (disciple of R. Mendel of Rymanów, served as Rabbi of Carlsburg [Alba Iulia] and of Siebenburgen [Transylvania]). In 1837, he studied in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer and was the only young man in the Pressburg Yeshiva who donned a Chassidic silk robe on Shabbat. His teacher, the Chatam Sofer, was very fond of him and used to stroll while conversing with him every Shabbat eve (he would dub him "the golden one"). While studying in the yeshiva of the Chatam Sofer, he merited a revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi who greeted him in the Beit Midrash, in the disguise of a poor person. In 1842, he was appointed rabbi of Urişor, and in 1858, of Deyzh. From ca. 1855, he served as Chief Rabbi of Transylvania. He authored Maaglei Tzedek on the Torah and a series of responsa books Avnei Tzedek, Shaarei Tzedek and Mishpat Tzedek. See previous item. Recipient of the letter: R. Asher Shmuel Paneth (1835-1909), son of R. Chaim Betzalel Paneth Rabbi of Toshnad. Following his father's passing in Nissan 1874, he was appointed to succeed him as rabbi of Toshnad in 1876, yet quarrel-makers stirred-up a dispute against him, and in 1881, he went to serve as rabbi of Hidalmas (Hida), position he held for 28 years. He cleaved to the righteous men of his generation, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and his uncle and teacher, the Maaglei Tzedek of Deyzh. [1] double leaf. 22 cm. 10 autograph lines. Good-fair condition. Marginal wear and tears (not affecting text). Wear and folding marks. A colored printed sticker is enclosed, bearing the Rebbe's stamp (originally affixed to verso of letter).