Letter from Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam Rabbi of Shinova – Wedding Wishes: "May the Match be Successful and ...

Letter from Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam Rabbi of Shinova – Wedding Wishes: "May the Match be Successful and the Happiness Complete, May He Merit to See... Sons and Grandsons... and Reap Satisfaction and Pleasure from All His Descendants" – With the Book Ayalah Sheluchah Which He Published and Sent as Wedding Gift
Ayalah Sheluchah – Ateret Zekenim, novellae on Talmudic topics, by R. Naftali Halberstam (son of Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam Rabbi of Shinova), and by R. Aryeh Leibush Lipschitz Rabbi of Vishnitsa (son-in-law of the Yismach Moshe and father-in-law of Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga). Published by Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam Rabbi of Shinova. Pshemishel (Przemyśl), 1895. First edition.
Attached to the front endpaper is a letter from Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam to R. Naftali HaKohen Schwartz Rabbi of Mád, author of Beit Naftali, filled with blessings on the occasion of the marriage of his son, R. Yosef HaKohen Schwartz author of VaYelaket Yosef. The letter, dated 1st day of Rosh Chodesh Adar 1896, was written on the rebbe's official stationery. Mostly written by a scribe, with the final two lines and signature handwritten by the rebbe.
The rebbe extends his blessings and wishes to the young couple "...may the match be successful and the happiness complete, may he merit to see from them sons and grandsons delving in Torah and mitzvot, and reap satisfaction and pleasure from his descendants".
The rebbe then adds in his own handwriting an apology for having the letter written by a scribe, concluding with additional congratulations and his signature.
The letter states that the book Ayalah Sheluchah will be sent as a wedding gift (the letter was later attached to the front endpaper of the book).
The first Shinover Rebbe, R. Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam (1815-1898), rabbi of Shinova and author of Divrei Yechezkel, eldest son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and son-in-law of R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz of Vishnitsa‎, author of Aryeh D'Vei Ilai (son-in-law of R. Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe). An outstanding Torah scholar, he was well versed in all realms of Torah, Kabbalah, Halachah and Chassidut. His father, the Divrei Chaim, held him in high regard and respected him exceedingly, and mentions his son's exceptional truthfulness in several of his responsa: "My eldest son, rabbi of Shinova, was by me recently, and he related to me... and I consider his testimony to be very reliable, since I know he would not be deceitful for anything in the world" (Responsa Divrei Chaim, II, Orach Chaim, section 2). He was venerated in his role as rabbi and rebbe already during his father's lifetime. Progenitor of important Chassidic dynasties, with many of his sons and grandsons serving as rabbis and rebbes in various cities already in his lifetime. Holy and pure from his youth, he was a close disciple of leading rebbes of his times. He was famed for the miracles he performed and for his Divine Inspiration. Wondrous stories are related about the salvations and miracles he effected. He would cure sick people with his hands. Reputedly, lepers who were affected from head to toe would come to him, and leave his house perfectly healthy after he passed his hand over them. He would give out his objects as a segulah for protection and salvation. In the present book, the rebbe of Shinova published the Torah novellae of his son R. Naftali Halberstam, who passed away at a young age, alongside the novellae of his father-in-law the Aryeh D'Vei Ilai, R. Aryeh Leib Lifshitz.
Stamps on the endpapers of R. Yosef HaKohen Schwartz, rabbi of Machzikei Torah in Grosswardein and author of VaYelaket Yosef, recipient of the present book and son of the recipient of the letter – R. Naftali HaKohen Rabbi of Mád.
Brief handwritten gloss on p. 20b of first sequence.
Letter: [1] leaf. 23 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Marginal tears. Folding marks. Filing holes. Ayalah Sheluchah: [2], 48; 30 leaves. 25 cm. Dry, brittle paper. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Minor marginal open tears to title page, not affecting border. Minor worming (primarily to endpapers). Handwritten inscriptions. Binding damaged and partially detached.