Letter handwritten by and with the characteristic signature of the gaon Rabbi Meir Shapira of Lublin. Strasbourg, [France], on the eve of Shabbat Matot, Pesachim 4 [1 Av, 1924]. Sent to the honorable gvir , Mr. M. Goodwall …”
The letter was sent in the midst of his travels across Europe to strengthen support for his yeshivah – Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin, which was one of the most important yeshivahs in pre-Holocaust Europe. Many of its alumni established the post-Holocaust Torah world. Rabbi Meir stayed in the French city of Strasbourg, and was already planning to travel to the British city of London.
The book HaMahara”m MiLublin relates the story of Rabbeinu’s trip to London. When one of the gvirim did not agree to donate anything for Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin, the Mahara”m MiLublin responded to him in a roundabout manner: “I have never seen a malchut shel chessed like here in England”! To the gvir’s bewilderment as to what exactly this has to do with him, Mahara”m Shapira replied to him that by virtue of his position as a member of the Polish Sejm, he is entitled to free travel on public transport all over Poland, “and here in England, ” said Mahara”m Shapira “even though I do not hold any official position, nevertheless my entire long journey from Poland to you was for naught (for “free”)…”
In the line with the date, the Mahara”m writes the “daf HaYomi” of that day: “Pesachim 4.” Although this was the Mahara”m’s custom, what makes this letter special is that this was the first cycle of the Daf Yomi study program!!
At the time this letter was being written, Rabbi Shapira had been appointed rabbi of Pietrkov, but the stationery is from the period he served in the rabbinate of Sanuk. Two years earlier, he was elected to serve as a representative to the Polish Sejm – and this fact is even mentioned on the stationery.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Meir Shapira .
[1] double leaf paper, one written page. Official stationery blank. 22×14 cm.
Fine-very fine condition. Old glue mark at the top of the leaf (without the glue). Filing perforation. Fold marks and light stains.