Copy of bylaws for ritual slaughter in the hand of Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis. Smolensk, c. 1918.
[1] folded leaf. One page with handwritten text. 22×35 cm. Not signed.
Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis (1864-1953) was born in Lithuania. When he was 17 years old, he studied in the Volozhin Yeshiva under his primary rebbe, the Netziv, who called him a “living Talmud.” He also studied under Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik. He was famed for his genius. He served as av”d in Bodki and rav in Kalvarija. During the First World War, he stayed in Slomensk and took over the position of Rabbi Avraham Baruch Soloveitchik, who passed away during the war. According to this document, he instituted new bylaws in order to organize the ritual slaughter in the city. In 1938 he immigrated to Jerusalem to serve as rav”d of the Eidah HaChareidis, and in 1949 was appointed the gav”d until his death in 1953.
Light tear in the upper fold, fold marks. Fine condition.