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Famous response from the Yaitev Lev of Siget, Opposing the Sale Permit for Shabbos – emphasizing Blessings for Shabbos Observance!
A halachic response from the great Gaon and Tzadik Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, known as Yaitev Lev of Siget, addressed to Rabbi Shmuel Panet, the Rav of Hidalmás, concerning a supposed contract of sale of a Jewish-owned business to a non-Jew on Shabbos with the intention to operate it on Shabbos. – This response was printed in the responsa "Avnei Tzedek" (Orach Chaim, Siman 21).
A single page written on both sides, penned on the third day of the month of Cheshvan, 1878, in the handwriting of one of the Yaitev Lev’s students. The Yaitev Lev appended some words at the end of the response, signing it with his holy hand.
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Details of the story: In the community of Hidalmash, a Jewish individual hired non-Jewish laborers for a substantial sum to work in his field. He forgot to specify that they should not work on Shabbos, and they refused to cease working on Shabbos unless paid extra for that day, resulting in significant loss for him. Consequently, he sought guidance from Rabbi Shmuel Panet, son of Rabbi Chaim Betzalel, regarding whether he could authorize the sale of the field to them on Shabbos, allowing them to continue working.
Rabbi Panet referred this inquiry to the Yaitev Lev. In response, The Yaitev Lev decisively prohibited any leniency in this matter, categorizing it as blatant deceit. He asserted that everyone would recognize the sale was not made with sincere intent, and engaging in such transactions nullifies all Shabbos observance, almost eradicating it from the world. This action should not be condoned! The individual should compensate the workers with extra payment to abstain from working on Shabbos, and underscored by a double warning to ensure no leniency in this regard.
He concludes with a sacred blessing from the Zohar: "All blessings, above and below, depend on the seventh day, " highlighting that observing Shabbos according to its laws brings abundant blessings from above and below.
The Yaitev Lev adds in writing in the margin: The words of his beloved friend with love, and I await that they will listen to his voice, Yekusiel Yehuda Teitelbaum.
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It is noteworthy that the grandson of the Yaitev Lev, the Grand Rabbi of Satmar, referenced these words in his renowned response concerning Shemittah Esrogim (Responsa "Divrei Yoel" Siman 97), This serves as evidence that transactions executed through blatant deceit are null and void.
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