Auction 43

Kvitl from the chassid Rabbi Yosef Shmotkin to the Rayatz. 1943

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Written and signed by the chassid Rabbi Yosef Shmotkin, sent to the Rayatz. From Erev Rosh Hashanah 1943. He expresses mercy and asks the Rebbe to petition for him and for his house and his sons and grandsons to follow the path of Torah and mitzvos. Large hole and a few smaller ones. Written on both sides. 16.5×13.5cm.


Rabbi Yosef Shmotkin (1892-1979) was a businessman and chassid in the Chabad community, a founder of the community in Rishon LeZion and a supporter of the Achay Temimim yeshiva there. In 1925 he moved to Israel, settled in Rishon, and helped to found the community. He had many businesses, some of the which the Rebbe gave him special blessings for. He initiated and built the Chabad synagogue in Rishon and served as gabbay for many years. During the Rayatz’s visit to the Kotel he served as the Chazzan for Mincha, and later the Rayatz wrote about his proficiency in prayer. When the Rayatz rode in the train from Lod to Rehovot on his way out, he was one of the only people to be allowed to ride with him, and was among the last to accompany him.