אגרת הקודש במראה יחזקאל, תשובה קד: לדמותם של ר' יחזקאל פנט, ר' מנחם מנדל מלינסק ור' מנחם מנדל מרימנוב

One of the more important documents of the Hasidic movement is Responsum #104, in the book Mar'eh-Yehezkel, which was written by the Hasidic leader R. Yehezkel Paneth, the Rabbi of Transilvania (1825-1845). The responsum records R. Yehezkel's impressions of his mentor, the Zaddik R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, seeking to explain the greatness of the Zaddik. About forty years after the death of the Zaddik, Responsum #104 became a sort of canonical document being used as a talisman. Later on it was published also in a pocket format, enabling people to carry it in their pocket as a protective amulet. Now that 19th century Hasidism has become central to modem scholarship, it is time we pay attention to this important document.