Very beautiful letter entirely handwritten, signed and stamped by two of the gedolim of the previous generation. Together, they held the Torah community on their shoulders and reconstituted it, bringing it to the hearty status it maintains to this day. Bnei Brak, 1978.
The letter was apparently written for one of the leading talmidei chachamim in Bnei Brak. The gaon Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach explains the tremendous merit of helping the subject of the letter, going on for many lines. It is interesting to note that at the end of the letter, Rav Shach adds that the Steipler confirms all that is stated above “in his letter, ” despite the fact that the Steipler added to this letter only later.
Both gedolei hador were known as wonder-workers. Masses would knock on their doors to receive blessings – especially the Steipler’s. Lines for him were like those for a Chassidic Admo”r. Leading Admo”rim would even send their followers to him to receive his blessing. The two tzaddikim bless in their letter: “Be blessed with all goodness … Menachem Elazar Mann Shach, ” and “Be blessed from Heaven – doubled and redoubled, materially and spiritually, and all goodness , selah , sincerely, Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky.”
Manuscripts by leading rabbis have been used as tried-and-true amulets, even among mitnagdim , such as the gaon Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the tzaddik of Gredits, Rabbi Mordcheleh of Oshmina, and others. Not many know it, but the source of tzaddikim’s hazkarot actually started with rashei yeshivahs , far before there were even Admo”rim, as brought in the Nimukei Yosef (Bava Batra, 53a): “This is the custom in France – anyone who is ill, seeks out the rabbi of the yeshivah to bless him.” The Ram”a brings these words of the Nimukei Yosef and adds to them, “It seems from this that the custom in these countries was to bless the patient at the synagogue and request mercy for him.” ( Darkei Moshe HaKatzar , Yoreh Deah 335:2.)
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Elazar Menachem Mann Shach and Rabbi Yisrael Ya’akov Kanievsky .
[1] leaf paper, 25 cm. Rabbi Shach’s official stationery. [16] lines handwritten by Rav Shach, signed and stamped. [4] lines handwritten by the Steipler, signed and stamped.
Fine condition. Light stains and tiny tears in the margins, without damage or lack.
