Lengthy letter (54 lines) handwritten and fully signed by R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (the Steipler Gaon), addressed to his mechutan R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Bnei Brak, Friday Shemini [25th Nisan] 1960.
Deletions and corrections in original (handwritten by the Steipler). He begins the letter by thanking him for a letter he had received on Erev Pesach: "My eyes were illuminated with your wondrous Torah-true response, much appreciation, may G-d assist you to increase your deeds for the holy Torah". R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky goes on to discuss a halachic topic related to betrothal and concubinage, concluding: "…and I do not know how to respond to my querent, since you did not write me a definite practical conclusion".
On the second page of the letter, R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky discusses a halachic question that had reached him regarding the proof of Jewish ancestry of the wife of a Torah scholar, who was hidden in a non-Jewish home in Poland during the Holocaust, and after the Holocaust was brought to Eretz Israel and educated in a religious institution. Now that the matter became known to her husband, he asks "whether she has the halachic presumption of Jewishness or needs to be converted; and we anticipate that if we tell her she needs a conversion she will be dismayed and distressed…". The Steipler humbly concludes: "I am only saying this as a student speaking from the floor, until I receive your opinion".
The Steipler Gaon concludes by humbly asking his mechutan R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv to decide all the halachic questions asked of him: "In truth, many address me with various diverse questions, but among my many sins I have never attained the ability to make halachic decisions, because I never studied practical halachah but rather yeshiva learning, and I avoid answering as far as possible. And when they would press me at least to tell them whom to address, I used to refer them to R. Yosef HaLevi Rabbi of Jaffa, and now I don't know who to refer them to in our region. If I knew that this is no burden on you, I would refer these questions to you, and it would be enough to write in brief… without explanation, but I was afraid this might be a burden on you… Seeking your welfare truly and sincerely always, Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky".
The content of the present letter was published (in parts, divided into multiple sections) in the collection of R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky's letters, Karyana DeIgarta (new 2011 edition, II, letters 431, 464 and 659; see further letter 594). R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv's response appears in the same book (letter 659), expressing his surprise that R. Yaakov Yisrael would refer people who ask halachic questions to him and humbly disclaiming Torah knowledge, proceeding to comment on the issue while leaving the final decision open.
The present letter is also published in R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv's Kovetz Teshuvot (I, 123; IV, 122), with different division and ordering. The first part of the letter was also published in Igrot UReshimot HaKehillot Yaakov (I, Bnei Brak, 2002, letter 34, pp. 64-65).
R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (1899-1985), a leading Torah scholar of the past generation. He was known as the Steipler, an appellation derived from his hometown Hornostaipil, Ukraine. A foremost student of the Novardok yeshivas in Ukraine and Poland, he was reputed as one of the most diligent and scholarly students in the yeshiva world. Following his marriage to the sister of the Chazon Ish, he was appointed dean of the Novardok yeshiva in Pinsk, and in 1934, he immigrated to Eretz Israel to serve as dean of the Beit Yosef Novardok yeshiva in Bnei Brak. For many years, he lived in Bnei Brak in the same house as his brother-in-law, the Chazon Ish. After the yeshiva shut down, he continued his studies in Kollel Chazon Ish and in his home, and authored the Kehillot Yaakov series on most Talmudic topics and tractates. He was known as a wonder-worker benefiting from divine inspiration, and many sought his blessings and counsel.
The recipient of the letter, R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (1910-2012), father-in-law of the Steipler's son, R. Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022). The Steipler and R. Elyashiv were close friends and had a voluminous and warm correspondence on Torah and personal affairs. The Steipler esteemed R. Elyashiv highly (calling him a "true posek"), and forwarded many halachic queries to him, as well as requests for prayer and blessing.
1 leaf (from a notebook), written on both sides. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Folding marks and tears.
