Pair of letters on official Yeshivat Ohel Torah – Baranovich stationery, one of which is signed by the rosh yeshivah, Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, primary disciple of the Chafetz Chaim, and the other written and signed by the mashgiach of the yeshivah, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Guttman. The letter was sent to Rabbi Yonah Abramowitz, a rabbi in the United States, who, as seen from the content of this letter – was a son of one of the yeshivah’s founders! Baranovich, Tevet 1929.
In the first letter, from R’ Elchanan, in which he expresses his appreciation for a donation, he writes about the yeshivah, “Baruch Hashem, the student body is expanding. The number of students was relatively high this summer, about 210, and now there are more than 230. This is aside from the junior yeshivah, which has about 80 students …”
The letter was written in scribal script and is signed at the end by R’ Elchanan, with the addition of two lines handwritten by him.
The second letter is from Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Guttman, with regards from “Rabbi Michael” who “always speaks of how, together with his (Rabbi Yonah’s) father, z”l, they founded the yeshivah, and how much work they put into it. Baruch Hashem, He has granted them success. The yeshivah has become more and more successful, to the extent that it has become one of the most excellent yeshivahs in the country, and students flock to it from all over the country. If Hashem would only give us the ability to receive all who come – we would have even a thousand students [a tremendous number in those days!]”
Later on, he requests the addressee’s help for an entry permit (visa) for one of the yeshivah’s personnel who is being sent as an emissary to the United States, to fund raise for the yeshivah. Entirely handwritten by him.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman and the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Guttman .
[1] leaf paper, written on both sides. 27.5×21 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Fold marks with tears. Tear in the margins. Small tear in the bottom margin without lack in the text. Aging stains.