Letter of criticism against the Va’ad HaYeshivot institution handwritten and signed by the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yehudah Leib Chasman, mashgiach of the Chevron yeshivah and one of the leaders of the mussar movement. Jerusalem, 1932.
Rabbi Leib Chasman’s words are startling. With his crystal eyes, he observes and details the dismal condition of the Va’ad HaYeshivot. He determines its situation to be “far from beneficial and approaching detrimental.” The institution is being run entirely by the clerks, and the rashei yeshivah have no input. He continues with his harsh words, “Its entire purpose has been completely lost”; “It is a dishonor to the name of the yeshivahs”; “I demand … that this situation come to an end” and other harsh expressions. In summary, he expresses his opinion that it is to be “dismantled immediately”!
Rabbi Leib Chasman, despite the gentleness of his soul, sharply attacks Va’ad HaYeshivot. It may be that the reason for his sharp letter was his being the life force of the Va’ad HaYeshivot in Vilna before the Holocaust. As is known, he dedicated himself to activism at the Va’ad HaYeshivot and was one of the confidantes of the head of the Va’ad, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky, the Chafetz Chaim and Rabbi Shimon Shkop. Therefore, as their representative, he feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders to restore Va’ad HaYeshivot to the format of its earlier days.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Leib Chasman, author of Ohr Yahel .
[1] leaf paper, 27 cm. Ink on official Chevron yeshivah stationery, entirely in the handwriting and with the signature of “the Mashgiach.” We will point out that his full signature: “יה”ל חסמן” appears in the letter before us (he often signed only יה”ל).
Very fine condition. Fold marks.