Postcard handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Kanievsky and by his wife Rebbetzin Batsheva. Bnei Brak, Av 1972.
Blessings upon the birth of a son – addressed to his brother-in-law R. Avraham Elyashiv.
Afterwards on the postcard is a letter from his wife to her brother and sister-in-law, offering her blessings and wishes.
R. Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022), leading rabbi of the present generation, only son of the Steipler Gaon, R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, and preeminent son-in-law of R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
His wife,
Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky (1932-2012), eldest daughter of R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. The match between the two was concluded upon the advice of the groom's uncle, the Chazon Ish, who attested that as a daughter of a veritable Torah scholar, she was truly suited for him. R. Elyashiv would later recount that when he consulted the Chazon Ish about the match, the latter praised the prospective groom profusely, even predicting that R. Chaim would one day be an outstanding Torah scholar renowned for his breadth of knowledge, just like the Rogatchover. When R. Elyashiv related this decades later, he added that at the time, it seemed to him that the Chazon Ish was overstating, as is customary for matchmaking, but in truth the prediction of the Chazon Ish was realized in full.
The Steipler, father of R. Chaim Kanievsky, held his mechutan R. Elyashiv in high regard, and would refer to him halachic questions and names to be mentioned in prayer and for blessings. He even sent people to be blessed by his daughter-in-law Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky, as a woman of holy lineage. Over the years, her great abilities were publicized, and many experienced salvation as a result of her prayers and blessings. Thousands of women flocked to Rebbetzin Batsheva, seeking her heartfelt encouragement and wise counsel.
Postcard. 14.5 cm. 8 lines handwritten and signed by R. Chaim, and approx. 7 lines handwritten and signed by Rebbetzin Batsheva. Good-fair condition. Stains and postmark stains, over text. Folding marks.
