"Please Go to the Rebbetzin and Give Her the Necessary Funds"
Negotiations Over the Rabbanus of Orshiva – A Rare Early Letter from the Satmar Rebbe – Sighet, 29 Shevat 5670 (1910)
A handwritten ksav kodesh, personally penned and signed by the Rebbe of Satmar, zy”a,
one of the earliest known letters of the Rebbe. Written on the sixth yahrtzeit of his father, the Kedushas Yom Tov, zy”a, on 29 Shevat 5670 (1910), while he was still residing in Satmar—before being appointed as Rav of Orshiva. At the time, the Rebbe was a young avreich of 23. The letter is addressed to his close confidant and devoted talmid, Harav Hagaon R’ Leibale Paskesz, zt”l Hy”d.
Background of the Letter
The Rebbe traveled from his hometown of Satmar to Sighet for the yahrtzeit of his father, the Kedushas Yom Tov, on 29 Shevat (which fell on Tuesday, Parshas Terumah, in 5670). Initially, he had planned to stay for just one day but later decided to remain for Shabbos. He therefore requested that R’ Leibale Paskesz notify the Rebbetzin to send him his Shabbos clothing—specifically through a trusted messenger or a reliable individual, as he did not want to entrust his belongings to the postal system.
His Concern for the Rebbetzin
In the same letter, the Rebbe adds: “
Please also go to the Rebbetzin, as I did not leave her with enough money, since I had not planned to stay here. Therefore, give her the necessary funds.”
This brief mention is just a glimpse into the Rebbe’s lofty middos, demonstrating how—despite being away—his heart remained focused on ensuring his home was taken care of with the highest standard of kavod and concern.
Discussions in Pest Regarding the Rabbanus in Orshiva
Further in the letter, the Rebbe instructs: “Also, please write me in detail everything your brother-in-law, Shaul, related—all that was discussed in Pest, every point precisely, as I must be fully informed.”
The person referred to is R’ Shaul Hendler of Satmar, son-in-law of R’ Moshe Paskesz, and a devoted follower of the Rebbe. He had traveled to Pest to negotiate regarding the Rabbanus of Orshiva, as the kehillah was in the process of appointing the Rebbe as their Rav. The Rebbe clearly wanted to be kept fully informed, likely so he could consult with his mother, the Rebbetzin, who held tremendous affection for him, or with his older brother, the Atzei Chaim, who was advocating for his appointment as Rav of Orshiva. (See R’ Yosef Ashkenazi, in his annotations to Divrei Yoel Michtavim, Vol. 2, Siman 96.)
