Letter from the GR”A’s grandson, sent to Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot, author of the Beit Ephraim . Includes a question regarding writing a Torah Scroll in partnership, editing a Torah Scroll and a comment on the response of the Beit Ephraim that was printed later in Yoreh Deah, siman 63.
Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Slonim (1780-1849) was the son of Rabbi Avraham, son of the GR”A. In his youth, he merited to learn under his extraordinary grandfather. He testified, “I was the most beloved in his eyes, more than the other grandchildren, as my father told me …” He merited to learn Torah and receive guidance from the GR”A.
At the age of 18, he authored a work on Tractate Smachot. He married the daughter of R’ Chaim Yehoshua’s of Slonim, and was supported by him. He was later appointed rabbi of the city. Per his family tradition, he delivered Torah lectures to the public in Slonim and was very involved in clarifying the correct text of Chaza”l and the Early Authorities. He was a prominent redactor of his grandfather the GR”A’s manuscripts, and was very involved in publishing them. Many of his comments shed light on the GR”A’s novellae and his statements regarding the GR”A are completely reliable. Rabbi Yaakov Moshe inherited many of the GR”A’s manuscripts in all realms of the Torah. He organized them and prepared the “Slonim List” – a detailed list of all the GR”A’s writings. This list is the cornerstone of all research on the subject. (Refer to, Yeshurun , year 5, p. 118).
[3] pages, ink on paper. 18×23.5 cm. 67 lines in his hand and with his signature. He added a line on the back of the second leaf: “I forgot the address of Rabbi Zalman M. … I request to give this to his rabbi.”
Fine condition. Minimal aging stains. Two small holes from the acidity of the ink. An expert report confirming the identity of the author is included with this lot.