A unique and fascinating book was very recently released, documenting the rabbis of Romania who served the orthodox communities in that country. Three volumes portray the Romanian rabbonim and outstanding Torah scholars, their activities and works, focusing a spotlight on the impressive past of Romanian Jewry heretofore unrecognized and the Torah writings which enhance the Mizrach wall of our people.
The importance of documenting Romanian Jewry is explained by the chairman of the Union of Romanian Rabbis, HaRav Yoel Tobias, rav and av beis din of Shikun Vav in Bnei Brak, in his approbation for this encyclopedia: "Receiving in hand the work on the rabbis of Romania gave me double pleasure and gratification. I have felt a dire need for such a study for years. There is Romania and there is Romania. The nether world of Romania is familiar but the heavenly Romania is not known at all. Its rabbis, exalted geonim, their monumental deeds and works are not known to the general public.
"The Admorim of Romania of noble character, its holy men, tzaddikim, Chassidim who were outstanding in their emunas chachomim, charity and acts of chessed, are unfamiliar. The reign of the anti-Semitic ruler, Antonescu, followed by the communist rule, caused a disconnection between the generations, so that the glorious past of these Jews was all but forgotten.
"This work, appearing in Romanian, must be translated to Hebrew. This obligation falls upon the writer, upon us and upon everyone with the means to assist in getting this project off the ground. It is a book which will be read universally, not only by those of Romanian extract. I am certain that while the Hebrew edition is being prepared, much more material will be included and many rabbonim added to the impressive list already existing."
The author garnered approbations from many well known rabbonim, who blessed him for this significant documentation and in view of their moving testimonies, the author labored over producing his encyclopedia in Hebrew, which has just been released and which enriches the treasury of the fascinating knowledge already known about the time honored Jewish community in this land, its rabbis and their writings which enlighten the entire Torah world.
