“With respect to our yeshivah (Mir) moving to the United States, I have also seen Hashem’s awesome finger in this … It is a decree from above that the Torah center be in the United States …”
Rare and lengthy letter with important content, entirely handwritten and signed by the mussar giant, the mashgiach Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, one of the most prominent disciples of Rabbi Yerucham of Mir. Sent to the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Tzvi [Zeidel] Siemiatycki, son-in-law of the gaon Rabbi Moshe Leib Schneider, rosh yeshivah of Torat Emet in London. Rabbi Zeidel was a rabbi in his father-in-law’s yeshivah and one of the leading activists involved in reviving the yeshivah world after the Holocaust. Tishrei, 1946.
The letter opens with Rabbi Shlomo warmly blessing the addressee for the new year, “I hereby also bless [you] to be sealed for the good, with a year of success and consolation, building and salvation for one and all.” He then presents a mussar idea that he heard from the mashgiach Rabbi Yerucham in 1935.
Rabbi Shlomo writes his letter a short time before his ascent to the Land of Israel. He apparently wanted (or was active to) move the Mir yeshivah to the Land of Israel. As such, Rabbi Shlomo writes: “With respect to our yeshivah (Mir) moving to the United States, I have also seen Hashem’s awesome finger in this and there is no doubt that it is from Hashem. It is a decree from above that the Torah center be in the United States . Who knows His ways? All is certainly for the good. Let’s hope that they manage in the best way possible, that the entire yeshivah stays together, not a little here and a little there, but everything in its place, with nachat and peace. May the alumni also manage in every way.”
Rabbi Wolbe also declares his intent to ascend to the Land in his letter: “I myself am on my way. After the holiday, I hope to travel, b’ezrat Hashem . I still hope that members of our yeshivah are in the Land of Israel as well, that at least some go there from Shanghai.” A few weeks later, in Cheshvan, he indeed ascended to the Land of Israel.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe .
[1] large leaf paper, written on both sides. 28.5×22 cm.
Fine condition. Filing perforations. Fold marks. Minimal stains.