A Letter Seeking Tefillah and Yeshuah from the Gaon Known for His "Ruach HaKodesh" – Rav Shmuel Rosenberg, Av Beis Din of Unsdorf – Addressed to the "Lev HaIvri" Before the Yamim Noraim, 5655
A petition for tefillah and salvation, written before the Yamim Noraim of 5655 (Parshas Nitzavim), in the handwriting and signature of the renowned Gaon,
Rav Shmuel Rosenberg, Av Beis Din of Unsdorf, addressed to the tzaddik
Rav Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, author of "Lev HaIvri".
In this letter, Rav Shmuel beseeches
Rav Akiva Yosef to daven on his behalf during the upcoming Yamim Noraim:
"I ask that he kindly remember me for good in his pure tefillos on these holy days approaching us, and may Hashem, in His mercy, accept his tefillah favorably, granting salvation and compassion, and fulfilling all his heart’s desires for good…"
This custom of requesting others to daven on his behalf was a
long-standing practice of Rav Shmuel. In previous years, before the Yamim Noraim, he would request such tefillos from Rav Hillel of Kolomea, the father-in-law of the "Lev HaIvri" (see Toldos Shmuel, p. 18).
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The Renowned Gaon, Baal "Ruach HaKodesh" – Rav Shmuel Rosenberg, Av Beis Din of Unsdorf and Author of "Be’er Shmuel" (5602–5679)
One of the greatest
Roshei Yeshiva in Hungary, a preeminent talmid of the
Ksav Sofer. In 5643, he was appointed Rav of
Unsdorf, where he founded his renowned yeshiva, which became one of the largest in Hungary.
Rav Shmuel conducted his home in the manner of Chassidim, and to his numerous talmidim, he was regarded as a Rebbe in all matters. He was widely known for his
"Ruach HaKodesh", with many documented stories of his supernatural insight, including a remarkable account recorded by the
Minchas Elazar of Munkacs (Toldos Shmuel, p. 30).
His writings were published as:
"Be’er Shmuel" on Torah, Moadim, Sugyos, and the Haggadah Shel Pesach.