GUTTMACHER, ELIJAH.

R. Elijah Guttmacher of Greidetz (Graetz) (1795-1874), a disciple of R. Akiva Eiger, was known as a kabbalist and wonder-worker. Together with the proto-Zionist Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer (another student of R. Akiva Eiger), Guttmacher was active on behalf of the welfare of Eretz Israel. Although not aligned with the Chassidic movement, Guttmacher had all the trappings of a Chassidic Rebbe and was venerated as the Wonder Rabbi of Western Europe. Streams of visitors from many lands stood in line with “kvitlech” requesting blessings and amulets for the cure of diseases and the solution of various personal and financial problems. Those in this collection include: Kvitel from a barren woman who had previously visited the Rebbes of Tchechanow and Radzimin. A few kvitlech with lottery numbers that the Tzaddik was asked to pray for. A couple of petitions concern offspring in America. In one case, the son has ceased sending funds to his parents; the Tzaddik is asked to pray that the son resume his contributions. In another case, the parent asks that the Tzaddik guarantee the “yirath shamayim” (fear of heaven) of the son, “ki hu bemedinath Amerika” (because he is in the Land of America).