Prince of the nesi’im of Levi
Glory-filled, important and extremely beautiful unknown bibliographic letter with over 70 words handwritten and signed by the gaon hadorot , the most sacred Rabbi Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik, patriarch of Beit Brisk . 9 Shevat, 1883. The Beit HaLevi’s writings are especially rare, almost impossible to obtain.
Content of the letter: enthusiastic approbation for the [never printed] second part of the sefer Klilat Shaul , by the mighty gaon Rabbi Shaul Chaim HaLevi Horowitz, “The Dubrovno Rav” – one of the leading rabbis of Lithuania and then of Jerusalem. He was a son-in-law of Rabbi David Tevele, av beit din of Minsk, author of Nachalat David .
In this letter, the Beit HaLevi praises the author and his sefer , writing that the first part “was well-received by gedolei hador .” Due to the author’s intent to ascend to the Land of Israel and print the second part there, he is requesting donations from benefactors to fund the printing. After it is printed in the Land of Israel, it will be sent to them in Europe. The Beit HaLevi signs: “The author’s words honor the Torah and its scholars, Wednesday 9 Shevat 1883, Brisk, signed Yosef Dovber HaLevi.”
The first part of the sefer was released in Vilna in 1879, and it was published without any approbations at all, for reasons of principle. The author writes in the preface there that when he publishes the second part, he will also print approbations from geonim of the period. The second part has yet to be published, and its fate is uncertain. To the best of our knowledge, it is unknown and has never been published.
Manuscripts from gedolei hadorot , not only Chassidim, but Mitnagdim as well [such as the gaon Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the Chatam Sofer and others] are considered amulets for protection and success. This is an extraordinarily rare manuscript and signature by the Beit HaLevi, patriarch of the Brisk dynasty, who, aside from his incredible Torah genius, was known for his great wonders [refer to the Hebrew catalog text for an expanded discussion of these, along with his biography] told over at celebrations and special occasions by his descendants, the gaon Rabbi Chaim and the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev HaLevi of Brisk.
[1] leaf paper. Approximately 13.5×9 cm. Uneven margins. Handwritten notations on the back of the letter, mentioning “Yosef Gershon Horowitz” the addressee’s nephew and successor. Fine-very fine condition. Few worming perforations, completed with paper. Light stains.