Kollel Polin controversy: Lengthy and rare polemic letter like no other, from the sacred gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Bahara”n, among the righteous personalities of Jerusalem. He was one of the chaburat ha’arayot – the name of the group of the Mahari”l Diskin’s close disciples – and his closest confidante. Sent to the sacred gaon Rabbi Tzvi Meir son of the av beit din of Dobre. Jerusalem, 1907.
Letter crying out for the rescue of Kollel Polin, written by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Baharan Lowey from the bottom of his heart, with respect to the Admo”r of Radzymin, among the nesi’im of the kollel, regarding his leaving it. He had worked extensively on kollel matters, arranging significant financial assistance for the kollel’s poor, and improving the distribution method. However, certain people from the kollel administration who were concerned their livelihood would be damaged by these activities worked against him and the Admo”r was therefore forced to abandon his efforts on behalf of the kollel.
Rabbi Bahara”n describes the important regulations enacted by the Admo”r of Radzymin in great detail in his letter along with his tremendous support for kollel members and their families, via distribution arrangements, kimcha d’pischa , sending emissaries and the arrival of funds on time, without delay. He cries out with the groans of the poverty-stricken and talmidei chachamim calling out for bread and sustenance in the holy city of Jerusalem, begging and pleading: “Help the rebbe of Sochachov shlit”a, the elder gaon of the country, to the greatest extent possible … don’t rest until you see to it that the Admo”r of Radzymin returns to what he was previously … when Hashem’s spirit moved him to redeem thousands of souls and put them on their feet.
It is fascinating to see in this letter, how Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Bahara”n, who was one of the leading midnagdim in Jerusalem, when it came to the benefit of the poor of the Land of Israel, writes with admiration. He uses such venerable expressions about Chassidic tzaddikim, the Admo”r of Radzymin and the Avnei Nezer of Sochachov, expressions that are not heard from those opposed to Chassidut, such as “Glorious jewel, sacred nasi , the gaon and tzaddik of Radzymin shlit”a, ” “Took from under his sacred arm, ” ” Racshebeha”g of Sochochov, shlit”a.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the sender, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman (Bahara”n) Lowey , the subject of the letter, the Admo”r Rabbi Aharon Menachem Mendel of Radzymin , and the addressee, the gaon Rabbi Tzvi Meir son of the av beit din of Dobre .
[1] double leaf paper. 21×27 cm. Written on both sides.
Moderate-fine condition. Fold marks. Stains. Several perforations and tiny tears.