Auction No. 114
Golden coins, Seforim, Chabad, Eretz Yisrael and Zionism, Letters from Rabbis and Rebbes, Holocaust and refugees.
- (-) Remove Letters from rabbis filter Letters from rabbis
- (-) Remove Letters from rabbis filter Letters from rabbis
Four leaves with four halachic adjudications with the initialed signature of the great gaon Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, including a halachic negotiation, proven in law, of matters between a man and his wife, wherein the wife demands support and the husband refuses to pay, with the claim that "even before the marriage he didn't love his wife, and his relatives forced him to marry her, and he separated from her a short time after the wedding," and the wife denies the husband's claim, with the counterclaim that he married her out of his own free will, and he abandoned her with no wrongdoing on her part ..."
Also initialed by Rabbi Yaakov Ades and Rabbi Betzalel Zolty, rabbi of Jerusalem, and other important rabbis.
[4] leaves, moderate-fine condition, tears in the margins of the leaves, filing perforations.
Emotional letter written by the chief rabbi of Tel Aviv, Isser Yehudah Unterman, to the father of the Irgun commander, Mordechai Raziel, in which he promises him that there is no halachic problem with transferring his son's remains from Iraq for reburial in Jerusalem. The letter is full of words of consolation and encouragement, and shows the great respect Rabbi Unterman had for the martyred David Raziel.
In the letter, Rabbi Untermann writes on "Thursday [of the week of the Torah] portion " ... when man sacrifices from themselves a sacrifice to Hash-m"
28 Adar 1961
Dear M.. Rabbi Mordechai Raziel-Rosenson,
I hereby notify you of the clear instruction, that there is no halachic impediment nor prohibition in arranging the funeral with the casket containing the remains of your dear son, one of Israel's great heroes who sacrificed his life for the good of the nation and the homeland, R' David Raziel, may his blood be avenged, on Mount Herzl, as was arranged and publicized nationwide.
We intend to stand next to the Great Synagogue, to pay respects reserved for him and his memory - to the son in whom Israel glories, and there is no reason to be concerned about halachic misgivings. So be reassured that in the end the departed has merited the respect reserved for him from the entire public, to rest in peace, and his fate will continue at the end of days, as Hash-m promised through his prophet.
With blessings of consolation and full health ...
Isser Yehudah Unterman
[1] leaf, 21x16 cm, official blank of the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv.
Very fine condition, fold marks.
Handwritten and signed letter from Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv to his in-law, the gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, "The Steipler." There are about 20 lines with Torah novellae on the back of the letter, also handwritten by Rabbi Elyashiv. Jerusalem, Wednesday of the week the Torah portion Shoftim is read, [Elul] 1974.
In his letter, Rabbi Elyashiv refers to "The Steipler" with exalted descriptions not generally accepted in the Lithanian "yeshivah" community, "עטרת תפארת ישראל, כ[בוד] קדושת" and prays for blessings: "May the new year and its blessings begin, heavenly blessings, and may he be written for good life in the book, a good, sweet, blessed year" and much more.
On the other side of the page, there is a long autograph about practical halachah: meat that was ground up, made into patties and fried in a pan. After cooling, cold milk spilled on it. Rabbi Elyashiv demonstrates his expertise and command of all areas of Torah and brings, one by one, all the opinions dealing with this in Talmudic and adjudicative literature, until reaching the halachic conclusion.
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv [1910-2012] was the grandson of the G-dly kabbalist, author of LeShem Shevo V'Achlamah. From his youth, he was already privileged to write a section of the holy work LeShem Shevo V'Achlamah Part III, straight from the mouth of his grandfather, who refers to him there "אשרי יולדתו" ["happy is the one who bore him"]. He was one of the greatest adjudicators for over 70 years. He was known for his extraordinary diligence and his deep and thorough knowledge of all parts of Torah, to the point that he could determine the halachah on any topic with clarity. He eventually became the greatest halachic adjudicator, the "Posek HaDor." For the last 20 years of his life he led the Torah-observant world in Israel and abroad, and thousands trooped to his door for consultation and blessing.
The gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - "The Steipler" [1899-1985], was among the leaders of the Chareidi community and author of the series Kehilot Yaakov on the Talmud. He was brother-in-law of the "Chazon Ish" and father of the gaon Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, shlit"a. Rabbi Elyashiv's eldest daughter married Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, and this is how the Steipler became his in-law.
[1] leaf paper 23 cm, written on both sides. Fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Tiny tears in the margins without damage to text.
Letter about the importance of Oztar HaPoskim's endeavors. From Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer to Rabbi Isser Yehudah Unterman. Jerusalem, 1945.
Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer writes at length about Otzar HaPoskim's endeavors and its significance for rabbis. He writes that for this holy purpose his friend Rabbi Herzog established this important institute, together with the assistance of the Committee of Aid for Rabbinical Refugees from Russia (an organization headed by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer). Rabbi Isser Zalman requests the support and assistance of Rabbi Isser Yehudah Unterman, who was then the rabbi of Liverpool and later chief rabbi of Israel.
Attached to the letter is Otzar HaPoskim's brochure, and a printed pamphlet, providing a sample of the first volume of Otzar HaPoskim's books.
Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953) was a disciple of the Netziv and of Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik in Volozhin. He served as the head of the Slobodka yeshivah and then served as the head of the Slutzk yeshivah starting in 1897. He was also the city's rabbi beginning in 1925, simultaneously serving as head of the Etz Chaim yeshivah in Jerusalem until his passing.
Signed in his hand.
Handwritten and signed letter from the Tzaddik Rabbi Aryeh Levin to member of Knesset Esther Raziel Naor, in which Rabbi Levin expresses his wish to visit the members of the Kibbutzim in order to bring them closer to Torah and Mitzvot, "I truly do not have the resources for this, it's simply that I lack the transportation."
The Tzaddik Rabbi Aryeh Levin (1885-1965) was one of the glorious personages of Jerusalem, a great gaon in all aspects of the Torah and a merciful father to all the oppressed, he served as a mashgiach at the Etz Chaim yeshivah, was known as the rabbi of the prisoners because he used to visit them regularly, encourage them, and take care of their needs. He was especially connected to Olei HaGardom, and visited them before they were executed.
Ester Raziel Naor was an Irgun activist. She was the first news announcer of the Irgun's radio station, Kol Tziyon HaLochemet. She also wrote for the HaMashkif newspaper, and after it closed down, for the journal of the Cherut movement. In 1943, she became a member of the Irgun's command. She served as a member of the Knesset and as the chairwoman of the Cherut party after the establishment of the State.
The connection between them began when Raziel was in the British prison and Rabbi Levin visited her during his frequent visits there.
10x14 cm. Ink on official stationery. The envelope is also included, 15x11 cm.
Letter on official stationery, handwritten and signed by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber. Rabbi Ferber, in his inimitable way with words, writes to his friend, "I left Eastbourne yesterday with its masses and its tumult, with the ocean and the life of idleness. And now I am, praise Hash-m, in my home near the ancient sea, my strength and beginning of my vitality. It is the great and awesome sea called "Yam HaTalmud ...".
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch [1879-1966] was the elder rabbi of London and head of the Association of London Rabbis ("Hisachdus Harabonim"). He was a disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor and the leaders of the mussar movement, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer and Rabbi Naftali Amsterdam. He led the Etz Chaim yeshivah of London. A gifted orator and a prolific writer, he served as rabbi of the Soho neighborhood in the West End of London. He authored about fourteen books.
27 cm. Fine condition. Thick paper. Fold marks.
Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by the gaon Rabbi David Yehudah Zilberstein, Av Beit Din of Weitzen. He was a rabbi and a halachic adjudicator, author of Shvilei David on Shulchan Aruch.
The letter contains a request for financial support for yeshivah students "from whom Torah will come forth ... so that they can sit (and study) Torah and (perform) service (of G-d)."
[1] leaf. Ink on official stationery, written on one side. Fold marks. Tears in the leaf margins with slight damage to text.
Fine condition.
The first letter is on Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook's official postcard, to the "Mahar'i Damnitz;" transcribed by Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook, and signed by Rabbi A. Y. Kook. In the letter, Rabbi Kook writes about the printing of his books, and the end of the embarrassing affair at the "Etz Chaim" yeshivah in which they tried to depose the rosh yeshivah, Rabbi Chaim Leib Auerbach. Rabbi Kook continues to relate that Rabbi Auerbach returned to the yeshivah, and that new students joined as well.
Rabbi Yitzchak Damnitz studied as a youth in the Slobodka yeshivah. He served as rabbi in a number of communities in Wales, Ireland and England. He passed away in London c. 1945.
The second letter is from the "... holy congregation, Machzike Hadath in London" to Rabbi Kook, in which they congratulate him on his new role in Israel's rabbinate. "The time has come for the 'Kohen HaGadol' to continue onward after we merited enjoying his light ... Therefore, it is very difficult for us to part with you, but our tempestuous spirit will find solace when we contemplate the desired purpose, when the Kohen HaGadol is called to serve in the city of our glory, the place of our Holy Temple."
Various sizes. Ink on paper, official letterhead. Fine-very fine condition.