Rare, valuable document from the early days of Chassidut: “To teach us the way that we may be uplifted by ...

Rare, valuable document from the early days of Chassidut: “To teach us the way that we may be uplifted by it…everything that he says we will carry out”, a letter certifying the Admor Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Bender, the head of the Bender dynasty, for the rabbinate.

A rare and valuable document from the beginning of the Chassidic movement and one of the earliest such documents. A letter of certification for the rabbinate submitted by the Bender community (in Romanian: Tighina; Russian: Бендеры; today in Moldova) for the Admor Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Bender, in 1814. The letter states that the Bender community requests Rabbi Aryeh Leib “to teach us the way that we may be uplifted by it…everything that he says we will carry out.” Signed by 53 members of the community. [1] leaf, 33cm. Fair condition, tears, creases, stains.

Admor Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Bender (1772-1854) was the son of the Maggid Rabbi Shimon Shlomo of Savran (a student of the Maggid of Mastricht). He was son-in-law of Rabbi Nachum of Chernobel, (through his second marriage he was the son-in-law of Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz's son). Brother of Rabbi Moshe Zvi of Savran. Their name was Wertheim as their famous grandfather's name Rabbi Shimshon Wertheimer of Vienna. He was sent in 1814 by the Rabbi of Apta to serve as rabbi of Benderi and spread the Chasidut in Beserabia. His son is Rebbe Shimon Shlomo, and his grandson is Rebbe Yitzchak Wertheim of Bender, son-in-law of Rebbe Yosef of Radiwil. The Bender dynasty continued until the Shoah, when the line of Admorim perished.