Excommunication for a butcher who transgressed and used the “treifah” of the Agudat Yisrael, signed by Rabbi Kook, Rabbi Frank, and Rabbi Borenstein, Jerusalem [1931].
[1] leaf, 28 cm. Stationery of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. 3 signatures.
The letter was sent to Bikur Cholim Hospital and announces the halachic excommunication of a butcher who started using Agudat Yisrael shechitah. The letter states that the Agudat Yisrael shechitah “transgresses the prohibition of ‘hasagat gvul’ and is therefore forbidden like real treifah.” It was, therefore, forbidden to buy this meat for use by the hospital. Signed by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank, and Rabbi Yerucham Fishel Borenstein.
This letter documents internal conflict in the Jewish community of Jerusalem in the 1930s, between the Rabbanut HaReishit, which was recognized officially by the British Mandate, and Agudat Yisrael, which was not recognized.
Filing holes. Fine condition.