Handwritten and signed letter by Rabbi Moshe Clears from Kislev 1923.
The letter, which was sent to Rabbi Abish Eisen, opens with a discussion on the laws of cooking, and then relates to the initiative to open a Talmud Torah in Petach Tikvah, dismissing his opinion on the matter due to the fact the in the city itself there are scholars and righteous people who can decide the issue themselves: ‘It’s astonishing for me to be asked – don’t you have rabbis elders, and righteous people there – what is my opinion against theirs …” Despite this, the gaon adds that it is a blessed initiative, and “my opinion is that the Talmud Torah in Petach Tikvah is a great and sublime matter, to found a place of Torah and religion there …” His signature is in the margins of the letter.
Rabbi Moshe Clears [1876-1934] established Yeshivat Ohr Torah next to the grave site of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes and stood at its head until his passing. By invitation of the Admor of Slonim, Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg, who requested that he teach his son, he traveled to Slonim for a few years. Known for his holy conduct [he would stay in the Yeshiva from Sunday until Thursday and return to his home within the walls of Tiberias only at the end of the week], among the sons of the leaders of the Slonim Chassidut.
[1] leaf official stationery from Yeshivat Ohr Torah HaKlallit in Tiberias. 23×14 cm. Slight stain on lower right. Fine condition.