“The terrible situation for us.” Letter written by Rabbi Chaim Ozer, when he was in his summer residence in Nementchin close to Vilna, to the rabbi of Dublin Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Herzog. 1936.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper. 21×28 cm. The last line is in his handwriting and with his signature.
Content: Rabbi Chaim Ozer had spent about a month in the summer residence “to breathe fresh air and to rest a little from my worries.” He inquires after Rabbi Herzog’s welfare and his state of health and wishes him a recovery. After a short report regarding transfer of funds, Rabbi Chaim Ozer requests to send to Rabbi Shlomo David Cahana “material in his possession regarding ritual slaughter.” And he adds: “The situation is difficult and depressing, as despite ritual slaughter being permitted in principle, stringency upon stringency is being added, which will cause the meat to become much much more expensive, and the permission for ritual slaughter will dissipate. And may G-d have mercy on the remnants of his nation and on his land, his heritage and his Torah.”
Background: Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940), was one of the leaders of Lithuanian Jewry, rabbi of Vilna (despite not being officially appointed as rabbi, as no rabbi was officially appointed as rabbi of Vilna after the Vilna Gaon’s death, out of respect for him), the president of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, and author of the book of responsa Achiezer . He was considered the leader of Lithuanian Jewry in the period of great rabbis of such as the Chafetz Chaim and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, and the Chafetz Chaim referred to him as “President of the Jewish people.”
Condition: Very fine, folding marks.