Letter of Support by Rabbi Yisrael Dov Odesser 'Ba'al Ha'Petek' to His Friend Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz – 1928

A letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi Yisrael Dov (Ber) Odesser, 'Ba'ak Ha'Petek' to his friend Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, both leading Breslov Hassidim of the previous generation.
The letter contains words of support according to the doctrine of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
The addressee, Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, was born to a well-known Chabadic family and became close to the Breslov Hassidism due to Rabbi Yisrael Dv Odesser. At the beginning of his coming closer to the Breslov Hassidism he experienced crises and several of his relative tried by various means to prevent him from becoming a Breslov Hassid.
In the interesting letter before us, Rabbbi Odesser writes Rabbi Horowitz words of support so that he will continue on his way to becoming closer to the "true Tzaddik" Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
The letter contains two handwritten pages. At the end of the letter, Rabbi Odesser thanks Rabbi Horowitz for sending him the news about the birth of a son to Rabbi Meir (Anshin].
His signature: "Your brother Yisrael Ber Breslover".
On the third page, he added an additional letter of support.
Rabbi Yisreal Dov Odesser
Rabbi Yisreal Dov Odesser was one of the oldest Breslov Hassidim of the previous generation and the one who taught the doctrine of Rabbi Nachman and his disciple Rabbi Natan to our generation. He not only owned the original manuscripts but knew the oral traditions of Hassidism. He learned Rabbi Nachman's doctrine from Rabbi Yisrael Kardoner, who was a leading disciple of Rabbi Moshe Breslover, the disciple of Rabbi Natan.
Rabbi Yisrael Dov was the perfect image of the true Breslov Hassid. When Zalman Shazar (the future President of the State of Israel, who then served as the Minister of Education) was once asked why he chose Rabbi Odesser as his teacher, he would say: "I searched for a figure of a true Hassid and found rabbi Yisrael".
His outwards appearance was of a simple man. Only those who knew him knew of his Torah greatness. His modesty and humility were unprecedented.
Rabbi Yisrael was of Divine Spirit. He often talked about reincarnation and other lofty matters. His Hassidim recall the many miracles he did, all quietly and modestly.
His whole life, 106 years, was dedicated to the distribution of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's doctrine. He made tremendous efforts to bring people closer to Judaism by means of his rabbi's doctrine. He even gave his most precious possessions for this end. When Hassidim in Poland asked him for Rabbi Nachman's books. He did not hesitate and sent them the rare and important copies of the books that he owned. Unfortunately, he did not receive them back and they were lost during the Holocaust.
Rabbi Yisrael corresponded with well-known rabbis, public leaders and writers in order to bring them closer to Judaism. In his old-age he travelled abroad to raise funds for printing Rabbi Nachman's books in different languages. Despite his being ninety years old, he made tremendous efforts for this end. In his last will and testament, he wrote: "I give my entire estate to print and publish our rabbi's books". Indeed, he appointed three people to establish a voluntary association which will publish and distribute Rabbi Nachman's books. The association today is named after him "Keren Rabbi Yisrael Dov Odesser" and it is the largest enterprise in the world for distributing Rabbi Nachman's doctrine. To this day, more than seven million books have been printed and distributed around the world.
3 written pages. 21x13.5cm.
Condition: Good. Folding marks and wear.