Reference letter from Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin, the Netziv of Volozhin. [1868].
[1] leaf. 21×26 cm. Six lines in the clear hand of the Netziv with his signature. Relief stamp at upper right.
Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1816-1893) headed the famed Volozhin Yeshiva for 40 years. He was one of the most noted Torah personalities in Eastern Europe. He authored prominent works,
Ha’emek She’elah ,
Ha’emek Davar ,
Shu”t Meishiv Davar and others. In Volozhin, the Netziv and Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, later rabbi of Brisk, were Roshei Yeshiva. Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, Rabbi Yosef Dov’s son, married the granddaughter of the Netziv. In this letter, the Netziv gives a reference for a yeshiva student. As usual, he signs [in Hebrew], “the one who is very busy with work” (managing the yeshiva).
Original fold marks. Light tears in the folds without loss. Fine condition.