Lengthy halachic response regarding a polemic about moving graves and burial of cremation ashes, handwritten by Admor Menachem Mendel Chaim Landau of Chechnov. Nowydwor, [1904].
32 pages, 13×21 cm. All in his hand and signed twice by him.
In 1904, the local government wanted to move Jewish graves in Altona in order to pave a road. The rabbis of Ashkenaz had different opinions regarding the matter. The debate extended to include questions regarding burial of cremation ashes. Rabbi Meir Lerner, chief rabbi of Altona, and Rabbi Chanoch Erentrau, rabbi of Munich, disagreed on the issue. The halachic debate turned into a public polemic, and rabbis from various countries expressed their opinions. A number of booklets were printed with critiques on both sides of the question. The Admor sent this lengthy response to Rabbi Meir Lerner of Altona. The response concludes on page 24 and includes the Admor’s signature. The Admor also wrote “continuation to follow.” This page is followed by another 8 pages, which is then signed again by the writer. To the best of our knowledge, this response was not printed in any of the booklets regarding this affair.
Admor Menachem Mendel Chaim Landau (1861-1935) was the son of Rabbi Yaakov of Jeżów, who was the son of Rabbi Avraham of Chechnov. The Admor was raised by his grandfather and studied Torah with him during the last seven years of his life – until the minute he died. He published the Ahavat Chessed with his grandfather’s Torah thoughts, and describes their learning sessions in his introduction. The Admor later published the Va’yas Avraham with his grandfather’s customs and order of prayer. Rabbi Menachem Mendel was a rabbi in a number of communities, and in 1898 he moved to Novydwor, near Warsaw. He also had many chassidim in various communities. He later served as rabbi in Zawiercie, and is known by name of this city. Refer to the lengthy entry: Alfasi, Encyclopedia L’Chassidut 3, 160-165.