Rare and extremely important letter, handwritten by the elder rosh yeshivah of our generation, the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Meshulam David HaLevi Soloveitchik, rosh yeshivah of the glorious Brisk yeshivah and son of the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev – ‘The Brisker Rav.’ Written during the gaon Rabbi Meshulam David’s visit with the Steipler, who was hard of hearing towards the end of his life, and communication with him was conducted in writing. (The back of the letter bears two lines written in the Steipler’s hand.)
The letter deals with Brisker Torah perspective regarding the format of Talmud Torahs and their government support. The gaon Rabbi Meshulam David writes to the Steipler: Torah leaders of the previous generation made efforts so that the Talmudei Torah not receive government budgets. Yet, adds the gaon Rabbi Meshulam David with his famed gentleness, the Talmudei Torah that do receive it are not, heaven forbid, to be prohibited, but perhaps a letter could be written encouraging those that do not receive these budgets, and this will perhaps also influence the others. He brings support for his words from the deeds of Rabbi Chiya who would plant flax and hunt deer himself for the purpose of writing Torah scrolls from which to teach his students, all so that Jewish children would study in purity, without any foreign involvement, even in material matters. Extremely interesting and important letter.
The gaon Rabbi Meshulam David HaLevi Soloveitchik [b. 1922, presently 98 years old, may he live to 120!], ascended to the Land with his father, the gaon of the Jewish people, Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev HaLevi. Already in his youth, rare talent was revealed in him, together with sanctified conduct as successor to the golden Brisk dynasty. From then to this day, his life is a wondrous supernatural treatise in diligence, dissemination of Torah and spiritual conduct. His disciples include many prominent Torah teachers in the Land of Israel and abroad.
[1] double leaf, approximately 14×22 cm. Entirely in Rabbi Meshulam David Soloveitchik’s hand. With the addition of [2] lines in the Steipler’s hand.
Fine condition, fold marks.