Lengthy letter (15 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Shimon Yehudah HaKohen Shkop, dean of the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno. "Sunday, Noach, 1935" [Cheshvan 1935].
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, who served at the time as Rabbi of the Machazikei HaDat community in London, asking him to recommend increasing the support to the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno when funds would be apportioned. He writes: "I hereby inform you a bit about the state of the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva that I head, for consideration in supporting and assisting it as far as possible". He goes on to describe the yeshiva's virtues: "…Our yeshiva here, thank G-d, has an important role in spreading Torah. I beg for your graciousness towards me and the condition of the yeshiva, which benefits many who follow its current…". R. Shimon Shkop tells of the dire situation and large debts the yeshiva is faced with, and the recurring income which doesn't suffice even for limited expenses by ascetic standards: "This matter… sometimes leads to snatching food from those sitting in the tent of Torah…".
R. Shimon Shkop concludes the letter with blessings for those who support the Torah: "May the good G-d assist those who assist and support establishing the Torah, and may they be blessed with all the blessings said of those who support the Tree of Life, in accordance with the blessing of one hoping for salvation, seeking your welfare and duly honoring you, Shimon Yehudah HaKohen Shkop".
R. Shimon Yehudah HaKohen Shkop (1860-1939) a leading Torah scholar and transmitter of the Torah in Lithuanian yeshivas. He was a disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin yeshiva, who instructed him in his intricate and profound methodology of Torah study. At the age of 24, he was appointed dean of the Telshe yeshiva (founded by his uncle R. Eliezer Gordon), where he transmitted his innovative method of logical study – an approach dominating the Torah world to this day. One of his foremost disciples from that period was R. Elchanan Wasserman. He served as Rabbi of Bryansk and Malech. In 1920, he was called to head the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno and served as the Rabbi of the Vorstadt suburb of Grodno. His works include: Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei R. Shimon Yehudah HaKohen, which serve to this day as basic guides to in-depth yeshiva study.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and folding marks.
