In the letter, Rabbi Chaim of Brisk asks the Adere”t to help a leading Torah scholar, the gaon Rabbi Yekutiel Isser Hadas, receive the ‘Crown of Rabbinate’. Rabbi Yekutiel Hadas also appealed to the Adere”t with a request for assistance and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk made efforts to help him.
The request was written by Rabbi Chaim of brisk on a single page of a double leaf. On the second leaf, Rabbi Yekutiel wrote his request from the Adere”t so that originally, the two letters were written on a double leaf that was sent to the Adere”t (on which the date and the addressee’s name appear). Due to the sensitive content of the letter to the Adere”t, the two letters were separated and only the letter written by Rabbi Chaim of Brisk is offered for sale. (Enclosed is a photocopy of a part of the letter by Rabbi Yekutiel).
[1] leaf, 13X20 cm. 12 lines handwritten and signed by Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik.
Very fine condition. Some aging stains.
Refer to Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik and of Rabbi Yekutiel Isser Hadas .
Lengthy and detailed letter in which the Chafetz Chaim writes at length about the yeshiva which has 300 students, all renowned Torah leaders, and whose hundreds and thousands of past students were Torah scholars and even today is one of the larger centers of Torah.
At the beginning of the letter, the Chafetz Chaim expresses his gratitude to the Rasha”z Pines for the books he had authored and sent to the yeshiva, noting that its students amuse themselves with the quips he wrote. The Chafetz Chaim appeals to Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Pines of Zurich with a request to assist the yeshiva, ending his letter with the blessings: and the merit of the Torah will help his honor succeed in all his business and his eyes will see the salvation of Israel and the raising of the banner of the Torah.
In his old age, the Chafetz Chaim no longer wrote letters himself.
Refer to Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen, the Chafetz Chaim and of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Pines .
[1] official Polish and Hebrew stationery blank. 21X28 cm. The signature and stamp are fine and clear.
Fine condition. Filing perforations. Aging stains and fold marks. A minimal perforation in the center.
Halachic responsum in the laws of Even HaEzer written by the Mahara”m Schick to Rabbi Avraham Yehudah HaKohen Schwartz, rabbi of Beregszász, author of Kol Aryeh . Chust, 1871.
The full responsum is printed in Shu”t Mahara”m Schick, Chelek Even HaEze r, responsum 2.
[1] leaf, 21×17 cm. Very fine condition.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Moshe Schick – the Mahara”m Schick , and the gaon Rabbi Avraham Yehudah HaKohen Schwartz .
“Ordination” certificate for halachic instruction – and receipt of the title “Moreinu” – handwritten and signed by the mighty gaon Rabbi Simchah Bunim Sofer, author of Shevet Sofer and av beit din of Pressburg. Rabbi Simcah Bunim Sofer was of distinguished lineage – son of the author of Ktav Sofe r and grandson of the author of Chatam Sofer , leaders of Hungarian Jewry.
Wondrous certificate with superlative praises for the gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Singer, with the Shevet Sofer granting him rabbinic ordination and adorning him with the prominent title “Moreinu HaRav” – which gives him the authority to decide halachah for the public. Entirely in his hand, with his signature and his personal stamp.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Simchah Bunim Sofer – Schreiber .
[1] leaf official paper. Approximately 14×22 cm. 21 lines in his hand.
Very fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks. Professionally restored.
Letter of recommendation and ordination written by Rabbi Akiva Sofer Schreiber, last rabbi of Pressburg before the Holocaust and then in Jerusalem, to his primary disciple Rabbi Yehudah Dov Singer. 1951.
Lengthy and heartwarming letter to his beloved disciple and friend, handwritten and signed by Rabbi Akiva Sofer Schreiber, with his stamp.
Rabbi Akiva Sofer (1878-1960), av beit din of Pressburg and author of Da’at Sofer , continued his ancestors’ dynasty – that of the Chata”m Sofer, the Ktav Sofer and the Shevet Sofer, in the Pressburg rabbinate and as its rosh yeshivah. While still a youth, he began lecturing at the yeshivah. In 1907, he succeeded his father in the Pressburg rabbinate and as its rosh yeshivah, a position he held for 33 years. In 1940, he ascended to Jerusalem and reestablished the yeshivah. His works include: Da’at Sofer – responsa on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and Da’at Sofer on Torah and the festivals.
Rabbi Yehudah Dov Singer [1907-1971] was rabbi of Waitzen and primary disciple of the mighty gaon Rabbi Akiva Sofer, author of Da’at Sofer of Pressburg. He was a rabbi of the Budapest community and later in Waitzen, Hungary. After the Holocaust, he ascended to the Land of Israel, where he served for a short time as rabbi of Moshav Beit Meir, then as rabbi of Givat Shmuel for 18 years.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 25×17 cm. Fine condition. Aging stains.
Letter of rabbinic ordination from Rabbi David Yehudah Silberstein of Waitzen for Rabbi Yehudah Dov Singer. Waitzen, 1932.
Rabbi David Yehudah Silberstein , may his blood be avenged (1885-Tammuz 1944; he was murdered in the Holocaust), was a son of the gaon of Waitzen, Rabbi Yeshayah, author of Ma’asei L’Melech . He studied under Rabbi Shaul Brach and Rabbi Mordechai Leib Winkler, the ‘Levush Mordechai.’ In 1915, he was rabbi of Helishtaba. In 1928, he served as dayan and moreh tzeddek in Waitzen, as an assistant to his father, and in 1935, he succeeded his father.
Rabbi Yehudah Dov Singer [1907-1971] was rabbi of Waitzen and primary disciple of the mighty gaon Rabbi Akiva Sofer, author of Da’at Sofer of Pressburg. He was a rabbi of the Budapest community and later in Waitzen, Hungary. After the Holocaust, he ascended to the Land of Israel, where he served for a short time as rabbi of Moshav Beit Meir, then as rabbi of Givat Shmuel for 18 years.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28×22 cm. Fine condition.
Important and controversial letter handwritten and signed by the renowned gaon Rabbi Yeshayah Silberstein, av beit din of Weitzen, author of Ma’aseh LaMelech . Weitzen, Wednesday of the week the Torah portion Mishpatim is read. 1890/1900? Sent to the gaon Rabbi Yosef Leib Sofer, av beit din of Paks.
The letter apparently deals with an important and complex halachic issue which involved several leading personalities, and guiding rabbis of the time deliberated the issue to resolve it properly. In this letter, R’ Yeshayah writes, “I have already received several letters asking my opinion. I am caught in a maze, I do not know what to respond. I have also corresponded with rabbinic leaders of our generation, and they also have no recommendation …” Later on in the letter, R’ Yeshayah writes that perhaps he himself will travel along with the rabbis of Grosswardein [probably referring to Rabbi Moshe Hirsch Fuchs], Nitra and others to Pressburg, and perhaps there they will come to a solution. He concludes “May Hashem grant us proper direction … Regards, Yeshayah the small one Silberstein.”
In the margins of the letter, R’ Yeshayah added several more lines: “With my blessing for a complete recovery for Yitzchak Tzvi ben Tzirel, may Hashem send His angel to heal him soon, to strengthen him and encourage him, raise him up and grant him wisdom…”
The letter does not clearly indicate the content of the controversy. In a (typewritten) leaf attached to the letter from Rabbi Yosef Leib Sofer to his relative Rabbi Moshe Sofer, av beit din of Szendrő there are various halachic claims related to the controversy about an unknown community’s rabbinate in 1891. This letter may also be dealing with this same controversy.
The renowned gaon Rabbi Yeshayah Silberstein [1858-1930] , av beit din of Weitzen, was one of the leading Torah personalities of his generation. He was born to his father, the mighty gaon Rabbi David Leib Silberstein, author of Shvilei David . He ascended to the Land of Israel in his youth and studied under Rabbi Meir Auerbach, author of Imrei Binah , and Mahari”l Silberberg, author of Zayit Ra’anan . After some time, he returned to Hungary where he was appointed to the honorable position of av beit din of Weitzen and its rosh yeshivah. As with most contemporary rabbinic leaders in Hungary, he was opposed to Zionism which was spreading at the time, and published several proclamations against the movement.
[1] leaf paper, written on one side. 16.5×21 cm.
Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks. Minor creases and tears. Adhesion on the back.
Halachic letter handwritten and signed by the Gaon Rabbi Mordechai Leib Winkler av beit din of Mád. The eve of Sabbath parashat Pinchas, 1911.
The letter deals with the laws of blessings. “These days A. of Tzorvei DeRabanan has asked me about what was said in Heshiv Moshe (by the gaon author of the Yitav Lev ) … and I answered him to explain gaon’s the words…” and signs “And I hereby end … the young Mordechai Leib Winkler Mád”.
His responses were printed in the book Levushei Mordechai . To the best of our knowledge, this response was not printed!
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Mordechai Leib Winkler.
[1] official postcard. Approx. [20] lines handwritten and signed by him. 14X9 cm.
Very fine condition. Faded ink in several letters. Postmark. Bright aging stains.
Fascinating letter handwritten and signed by the renowned gaon Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer, one of the leaders of Orthodox Jewry in Germany, addressed to the gaon Rabbi Raphael Bamberger, av beit din of Aschaffenburg. It discusses the conflict that occurred between the av beit din and the community leaders there on topics of the status of religion.1884.
R’ Simchah at first sent a letter immersed in hints to R’ Azriel, in which he requested that R’ Azriel issue a specific certificate that would help him. In this letter, R’ Azriel writes back to him “… I received [your] missive through his pleasant son (apparently Rabbi Yitzchak Zekkel, av beit din of Kissingen, who was a disciple of R’ Azriel’s). Unfortunately, I heard from him what it means, and the meaning of the hints in his letter, about the conflict with the leaders of the community regarding the status of religion and lofty worldly matters. I share [your] sorrow, yet with all this, I am even more distressed that I cannot fulfill your request to write a certificate …”
Later on in the letter, there are handwritten halachic comments by R’ Azriel with respect to this conflict. “Know that this opinion is absolutely astonishing in several ways … and we do not have a clearly proven way to show that this reponsum is not a fake …” He then signs, ” The small one, Azriel Hildesheimer .”
At the bottom of the letter, there is a small handwritten comment, possibly written by the addressee, Rabbi Raphael.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the gaon Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer and Rabbi Simchah HaLevi Bamberger .
[1] double graph paper leaf. Over [20] lines handwritten and signed by him. 14×22 cm. Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks and slight creases.
Letter on halachic topics handwritten and signed by the gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Breuer, son-in-law of the leader of Orthodox Jewry in Germany, Rabbi Shamshon Raphael Hirsch, and his successor as leader of Frankfurt am Main and its yeshivah. Dated 1896.
Letters from him are rare. This letter is signed at the end, ” The small one, Shlomo Zalman. ” To the best of our examination, this letter has never been printed!
This letter arrived from the estate of a rabbinic family from among the renowned Bambergers; it must have been sent to one of the family rabbis. As is known, there was a harsh disagreement between Rabbi Shamshon Raphael Hirsch and Rabbi Yitzchak Dov of Würzburg regarding the question of leaving mixed communities and establishing independent communities. If so, this is an interesting discovery regarding the Torah approach between the Würzburg and Hirsch-Breuer families.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Breuer .
[1] double leaf paper, stationery blank. Approximately 14.5×22 cm.
Fine-very fine condition. Aging stain. Fold marks. Small tears in the margins with tiny lacks.
* Letter from Rabbi Nathan [Marcus] Adler, rabbi of England, to the Rishon LeTziyon, Rabbi David Chazan of Jerusalem, about running the windmill founded by Moses Montefiore in Jerusalem. In the letter, he also mentions a discussion with Moses Montefiore and sends regards from ‘the respected minister.’ London, 1864.
The windmill, approximately 18m high; it was built in 1858 under Moshe Montefiore’s initiative. It was built to supply the neighborhood residents with a source of livelihood, and to supply Jerusalem’s poor with flour at a cheap price. It was planned by the Holman Company of Canterbury, who based it on a windmill in Ramsgate, where Montefiore resided. They sent an engineer on their behalf to supervise the construction and installation of the milling equipment. The tower was made from local stone, but the equipment was imported by boat from England and transferred to Jerusalem from Jaffa on camelback.
That the one who operated the mill was R’ Yitzchak P. H. Rosenthal is known. In this important letter, he writes that it was agreed with Montefiore that he would rent the mill for three years, yet it was also mentioned that his partner was Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer. Rabbi Kalischer was known to be involved in all activities involving Jews in the Land of Israel. In the Kadarta journal (38, December 1985) there is an article about the letter from Rabbi Nathan Adler and Sir Moses Montefiore to Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer, but the topic of renting the windmill was not mentioned. (The article is included.)
[1] leaf paper. 21×13 cm. Scribal script and his signature. Fine condition.
* Interesting letter from Rabbi Naftali [Herman] Adler, rabbi of England. London, 1897.
In his letter, the rabbi of England discusses hachnasat orchim in Jerusalem for a couple from London traveling there for Passover.
[1] leaf official stationery. 20×13 cm. Scribal script, signed by Rabbi Adler. Fine condition. Stains in two corners.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler, Rabbi Chaim David Chazan – known as Cha”d B’Dara [ח”ד בדרא], Rabbi Naftali [Herman] HaKohen Adler and Rabbi Ya’akov Shaul Elyashar .
Letter from the rabbinic leader of the generation, Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, renowned rabbi of Kovno, to the renowned gaon Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Bamberger, son-in-law of the Aruch LaNer. Kovno, 1880. In this letter, Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan blesses Rabbi Moshe Aryeh with tremendous blessings.
Due to his busy schedule as gadol hador , most of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan’s letters were written by secretaries and only signed by him. This letter, however, apparently because of the honor due the addressee, was entirely handwritten by Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan himself.
For brief biographies of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor and Rabbi Moshe Aryeh (Leib) HaLevi Bamberger , refer to the Hebrew catalog text.
[1] leaf paper. 21×13 cm. The letter is entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan.
Very fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains.
Autograph – sharp halachic responsum on the laws of gittin , handwritten by the gaon Rabbi Itzeleh of Ponovezh.
This is the first part of the reponsum. The responsum was printed in the book Zecher Yitzchak HaShalem , Siman 20.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz (Rabbi Itzeleh of Ponovezh) .
[4] pp. Two folded leaves. Approximately 21X13.5 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Aging stains. The leaf is torn mostly along the fold mark. Small tears to the margins.
“… wealth, happiness and success, healthy amd sweet life, rich and flourishing, filled with G-d’s blessing always, saturated with pleasure and satisfaction from all that you have and goodness and blessing and hapiness shall never leave their home …” (a small fraction of the blessings in the letter).
A letter of rare blessings such that has never been seen! Handwritten entirely by the gaon Rabbi Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik of Brisk, the eldest son and successor of Maran the Gri”z Halevi. Sent to Rabbi Yitzchak Zvi [Zeidel] Semiatitzky of London. Jerusalem, Tishrei, [1950].
Usually, letters that are sent at the beginning of the year are full of blessings and greetings; however, this letter is extraordinary in the quantity and intensity of its blessings:
“Much blessing; eternal pleasantness in our days … wealth; happiness; and success; healthy amd sweet life; rich and flourishing, filled with G-d’s blessing always;saturated with pleasure and satisfaction from all that you have; and goodness and blessing and hapiness shall never leave their home; and may G-d grant long life to us all; and we merit seeing the salvation of Israel; G-d bringing back his people, the Messiah coming to Zion and the building of Ariel; wholehearted blessing.” Simply amazing!
The Brisker Soloveitchik dynasty, despite being an outstanding Lithuanian dynasty, is similar in many ways to chassidic dynasties. One of the most noteworthy of these is the tales of wonder and miracles worked by the Geonim of the dynasty, which are remarkably similar to stories about chassidic Admori”m. (Some of those tales of wonders were compiled in the four volumes of the excellent book by the Brisker writer Rabbi Shimon Yosef Meller Uvdot Vehanhagot LeBeit Brisk , Jerusalem, 2000). This is a manuscript by one of the unique links of the golden chain of the Brisker dynasty containing rare blessing such that have never been seen in his letters or letters by the other geonim of the dynasty.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Yosef Dov “Rabbi Yoshe Ber” Halevi Soloveitchik.
[1] postcard. 14X9 cm.
Very fine condition.
Halachic responsa for an inquiry sent to Rabbi Avraham Yeshayah Karelitz, author of Chazon Ish .
Halachic ruling in the laws of niddah , later printed in Ginzei Sha’arei Tziyon .
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Avraham Yeshyahu Karelitz .
[1] leaf, 21×9 cm. Very fine condition.
Letter about the book Besamim Rosh – fundamentals of faith and emunat chachamim . Handwritten and signed by the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky.
The letter deals with the book Besamim Rosh which was printed by Rabbi Shaul Levin in 1793. According to Rabbi Shaul Levin, the book is a work by Rabbeinu the Ro”sh, and he added comments entitled ‘Kiseh D’Harsenah.’ There were those who objected to the book, beginning from right after it was printed. There were those who attributed it to Rabbi Shaul Berlin, who wanted to rely on something bigger, and there are those who wrote that most of the book is by the Ro”sh, but there are later additions. On one hand, the Chatam Sofer called it Kizvei HaRo”sh , and there is even someone who wrote that the book should be burned on Yom Kippur that falls out on Shabbat. On the other hand, there are those who completely accepted the book. This dispute has not been entirely settled to this day. Even among those who opposed the book, there are some that cite it and discuss its words.
The Steipler was asked about whether “our opinion” should be voiced about the author, and he wrote four reasons not to publicize it, while covering all aspects of the topic and with the careful balance of da’at Torah . His words clearly indicate that he opposes verifying the book and its author.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky .
This letter was printed in Kreina D’Iggerta (Bnei Brak, 2011), Part III, letter 853.
[1] leaf paper. 20×16 cm. Fine condition. Minimal creases.
Lengthy halachic responsum (approximately 150 words) from Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky regarding plag haminchah to Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, rabbi of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem.
Manuscripts by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky that are occasionally put up for auction are generally composed of a few words only, but this one is a detailed halachic letter, rare in its length.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky .
Approximately 150 words, entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. [1] leaf, 21.5×6.5 cm.
Very fine condition.
Historical letter handwritten entirely by the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir in Lithuania the gaon Rabbi Chaim Shmuelowitz, heralding the marriage of his daughter Etel to his great son-in-law, the gaon Rabbi Chaim Pertzowitz, eventually his successor as Rosh Yeshiva of Mir in the Land of Israel! Jerusalem, [1951].
The letter was apparently sent to the family of the gaon Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, the rabbi of Luck and the head of Mo’etzet Gedolei HaTorah. Due to the great honor of the recipient of the letter, Rabbi Chaim was not content with the regular printed invitation and added to it the lengthy letter (14 lines) before us.
In the dynasties of the Lithuanian Rashei Yeshivas, the baton of leadership was usually passed to the Rosh Yeshiva’s son-in-law, unlike the custom of Chassidic dynasties according to which the leadership is passed to the Admo”r son. (The reason for this is that the position of ‘Rosh Yeshiva’ is one that requires exceptional talent and erudition, and the sons – who are a Heaven-sent gift – are not always as talented as their father. In contrast, the son-in-law was chosen by the Rosh Yeshiva himself and therefore, he could choose the select of his students and he was usually the one who succeeded him).
In the historical letter before us, the gaon Rabbi Chaim Shmuelowitz – the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir (which is considered one of the two largest yeshivas in the world) – is actually marking the person designated to be his son-in-law, the renowned gaon Rabbi Nachum Pertzowitz, as his successor in leading the prestigious yeshiva. We can see Rabbi Chaim’s great joy when he informs his close friend about the upcoming marriage of his daughter to his select student: “My close friend … I will joyfully inform him” writes the gaon Rabbi Chaim Shmuelowitz “that with G-d’s help the time has arrived of my daughter’s wedding”.
Refer to Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Chaim Shmuelowitz .
[1] leaf, approx. 21X13 cm. Handwritten entirely and signed by the gaon Rabbi Chaim Shmuelowitz.
Very fine condition: fold marks.
Letter by the great Gaon Rabbi Nachum (Reb Nochem) Partzovitz to one of the activists of Va’ad HaHatzalah who operated in Europe after the Holocaust. Rockaway, 1947.
In his letter, Reb Nachum asks him to take care of the business and expenses of his relative “Rabbi Shlomo Shuster the son of the Rabbi of Sokolka”, since Rabbi Shlomo is a gentle soul and is not involved with those around one and therefore taking care of his matters will possibly be delayed. “Thus I sincerely request that this be promoted as much as possible”. Apparently, he is referring to Rabbi Shuster’s appointment as the rabbi of Lodz, which occurred shortly afterwards. Rabbi Sholomo Shuster was Ren Nachum’s cousin. Their grandfather was the Gaon Rabbi Nachum Greenhoiz , the son-in-law of the Cheshek Shlomo of Vilna.
The letter was sent to his future father-in-law – Maran Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, to be passed on to the above activist. After his signature, Reb Nachum added regards to the ” Gra”ch Shalit”a [and] all the boys may they live “.
Refer to Hebrew catalog text for brief biographis of Rabbi Nachum Partzovitz and of Rabbi Shlomo Shuste r.
[1] notebook leaf, approx. [11] lines handwritten and signed by him. 20X12 cm.
Very fine condition. Slight aging stains. Filing perforations. The margins of the letter are cut (originally), far from the text.
Important historic letter from Rabbi Aharon Kotler about assistance from the American Va’ad Hatzalah run by the Rabbinical Association of the United States and Canada. 1947.
The letter was written on Rabbi Aharon Kotler’s joint stationery with the Etz Chaim yeshivah of the Kletzk – Pardes Channah branch in the Land of Israel. Lengthy letter initially typewritten, followed by [approximately 10!] words handwritten and signed by Rabbi Aharon Kotler.
In the letter, inter alia , Rabbi Meir Karelitz (the Chazon Ish’s brother) is mentioned, and it discusses support sent to the yeshivah in Pardes Channah.
Rabbi Aharon Kotler [1892-1963] was one of the leading geonim of the generation. He established the Torah world in the United States. He founded the ‘Lakewood’ yeshivah – the largest yeshivah in the world, a yeshivah which constitutes a unique occurrence, in which an entire Jewish city was built around the yeshivah. Rabbi Kotler was among the famous iluyim [prodigies] of the yeshivah world of Lithuania. He served as rosh yeshivah of the Etz Chaim yeshivah in Slutzk and thereafter in Kletzk, Poland. He was one of the founders of Va’ad HaYeshivot and a member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Lithuania and then in the United States, where he fled during WWII.
The Kletzk yeshivah in Pardes Channah was a yeshivah founded by Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Meltzer, named after the Kletzk yeshivah in Lithuania founded by his father, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, and led by his brother-in-law Rabbi Aharon Kotler.
Size: 22×28 cm.
Fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks.
Letter from Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, Bnei Brak, 1953.
The letter is on a postal postcard, entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Dessler and sent to Rebbetzin Chassiah Sorotzkin for Va’ad HaYeshivot.
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1953) trained at the Kelm beit midrash . He was a member of a founding family of this study hall and one of the leaders of the mussar movement. He served as rabbi in England and a mashgiach at the Gateshead yeshivah there and at the Ponovezh yeshivah in Bnei Brak. He authored the book Michtav MiEliyahu .
Rebbetzin Channah Sorotzkin , wife of Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin, son of Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin – chairman of Va’ad HaYeshivot – was a daughter of Rabbi Eliyahu-Meir Bloch, rosh yeshivah of Telz.
Very fine condition.
Lengthy letter [over 20 lines] handwritten and signed by the renowned gaon R’ Ya’akov Kaminetzky, one of the most prominent leaders of Orthodox Jewry in the United States, addressed to the gaon Rabbi Aryeh Schechter. Nissan, 1971.
Reb Ya’akov opens the letter with a line of honorary titles “My dear friend, valued kindred spirit, the eminent rabbi accomplished in Torah …”
In the body of the letter, Rabbi Ya’akov apparently discusses a charged and complex community affair that certain activists presented in a distorted manner. As such, he writes that he is very happy to hear that Rabbi Aryeh, in his wisdom, understood the matter correctly, and did not fall into the trap set for him by those activists. “Because the entire matter was the work of Satan …” Reb Ya’akov resolutely and sharply adds, “The entire matter is a gang looking for trouble, who attempted to draw innocent bystanders along with them. And obviously those who attempt to rob used this situation to steal what they desired … and not very many caught on to it …” He concludes his letter with a blessing, “May Hashem help his honor bring merit to the many, with a blessing for all goodness. Signed, your friend and admirer, hoping to see you soon, Ya’akov Kaminetzky.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Kaminetzky .
[1] leaf, aerogram. Approximately 19×30 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Fold marks. Tiny tears in the fold marks.
Fascinating mussar letter handwritten and signed by the mashgiach, the gaon Rabbi Yechezkel (“R’ Chatzkel”) Levenstein, addressed to the youth Shlomo Brevda [none other than the gaon Rabbi Shlomo Brevda, later a leading personality in the mussar movement and maggid meisharim ]. 1952.
In his letter, R’ Chatzkel writes to him that he received the letter of Torah thoughts sent to him by R’ Shlomo (who was then only 21 years old!) and in response to his question, he recommends ascending to the Land of Israel. In his opinion, there are better conditions in the Land of Israel for success and improvement in Torah and fear of Heaven. And those were the years of tzena [austerity] period in the Land of Israel.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein and the gaon Rabbi Shlomo Leib Brevda .
[1] leaf paper. Approximately 20.5×26 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Fold marks. Slight aging and mold stains. Slight lacks in the margins. The leaf has undergone professional restoration, reinforcement and margin completions.
Important and interesting letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi Shmuel HaLevi Wosner. Bnei Brak, 1960.
In this letter, the gaon Rabbi Shmuel Wosner mentions his son Rabbi Chaim Meir, who eventually succeeded him: “The avreich , the gaon R’ Chaim Meir, who is attaining complete Torah wisdom as one of the most superlative …”
Rabbi Wosner writes about the development of his yeshivah – Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin: I will point out that not only has the number of students increased, but that which is is primary and most important to me, the spirit of Torah and diligent study in our yeshivah, has risen ten levels of sanctity.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Shmuel HaLevi Wosner .
[1] leaf official stationery. 14×22 cm.
A letter from his son, Rabbi Chaim Meir, is included.
Very fine condition.
