Lengthy letter (4 large pages), handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva (formerly "Rabbi and yeshiva dean of Slutsk"). Jerusalem, Nisan 1939.

Addressed to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din (who had filled R. Isser Zalman's position as Rabbi of Slutsk in the 1920s). The beginning of the letter relates to the sale of Even HaAzel in England. Most of the letter is a Torah discussion in reply to R. Yechezkel Abramsky's comments on his books. On the fourth page, after the signature, R. Isser Zalman apologizes for not being able to look at Chazon Yechezkel on Pesachim, which he had lent to someone else; in a second postscript he writes that the sending of the letter was delayed and he was able to look at the reference.

R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953), author of Even HaAzel. A leading Torah scholar of Lithuania and Jerusalem, he was born in Mir and studied in the Volozhin yeshiva under the Netziv and R. Chaim of Brisk, who esteemed him highly. After his marriage he served as the first yeshiva dean of the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka along with R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, and later moved to Slutsk where he established a large yeshiva and subsequently succeeded the Ridvaz as Rabbi of the city. He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1924 and was appointed dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva. He was also a leader of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, and father-in-law of R. Aharon Kotler, dean of Kletsk and Lakewood yeshivas.

The recipient,
R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel (1886-1976), head rabbi of the London Beit Din, was a friend of R. Isser Zalman from before World War I, when R. Isser Zalman served as Rabbi of Slutsk and R. Abramsky served as Rabbi of Smolyan and Smilavichy. In 1923, when R. Isser Zalman was obliged to flee the Bolsheviks in Russia, he recommended R. Abramsky to serve as his successor as Rabbi in Slutsk, in which position R. Abramsky served until he was arrested and exiled to Siberia in 1930. When R. Abramsky was released in 1932, he traveled to serve as Rabbi of the Machazikei HaDat community in London, and from 1935 as head rabbi of the London Beit Din, until his retirement and immigration to Jerusalem in 1951.

[2] leaves. Official stationery. 28 cm. Written on both sides. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks and tears (not affecting text).

Lengthy letter (65 lines), on aerogram, handwritten and signed by R. Aharon Kotler, dean of the Lakewood yeshiva in the United States. New York, Av [July] 1960.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky in London, then a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Eretz Israel, who was visiting his family in London at the time. The letter addresses the Independent Education System (Chinuch Atzma'i) in Israel, mentioning R. Zalman Sorotzkin, R. Moshe Feinstein, the Rebbe of Kopitchnitz, R. Teitz, R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, rabbinic organizations in the United States, and various philanthropists and activists.

R. Aharon Kotler describes the activities in the United States opposing the Poalei Agudat Yisrael's attempt to abolish the independence of the Independent Education System. R. Kotler asks R. Abramsky to engage the rabbis and Beit Din of London to join the worldwide activities opposing the changes.

R. Aharon sharply criticizes the Poalei Agudat Yisrael movement, which at that time joined the Mapai coalition, calling it "a terrible betrayal" and adding that it was a conclusive parting of ways with the Orthodox community.

Towards the end of the letter, R. Aharon opposes a joint fundraiser with Mizrachi, and concludes with blessings and his signature, "Aharon Kotler".

R. Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), disciple of the Alter of Slabodka, famous for his brilliance (while he was still a young student, the Or Sameach predicted that he would be the "R. Akiva Eger" of the next generation). He was the son-in-law of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. He served as lecturer and dean of the Slutsk yeshiva, and during World War I, he fled with the yeshiva students to Poland, reestablishing the yeshiva in Kletsk. He was one of the yeshiva deans closely associated with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim. A founder of Vaad HaYeshivot and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Lithuania. During the Holocaust, he escaped to the United States, and established the famous Lakewood yeshiva in New Jersey (a yeshiva which revolutionized the yeshiva world in the United States, by inculcating its students with the passion and absolute devotion to Torah study which was typical of Lithuanian yeshivot). He was one of the heads of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in the United States, and dedicated much of his later years to activity on behalf of the Independent Education System in Eretz Israel.

Aerogram. 30.5X18.5 cm. Written on almost all parts. Good condition. Folding marks and few tears.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Moshe Feinstein. New York, 10th Adar 1968.

Addressed to "my friend the great Gaon" R. Yechezkel Abramsky in Jerusalem, a leader of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Eretz Israel, regarding the activities of the Peilim organization in the absorption of children of Moroccan immigrants to Israel into a Torah education.

R. Moshe states that since the facts relating to the Moroccan children are unknown and disputed, R. Dov Zev Weinberger was to travel to Israel in order to give a reliable report. He asks R. Abramsky to inform him of the details and let him know "what we are to do".

R. Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), foremost halachic authority in the United States. A leader of Orthodox Jewry, he served as president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, and chairman of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. He was the dean of the Tiferet Yerushalayim yeshiva in New York. He authored Responsa Igrot Moshe, Dibrot Moshe – Talmudic novellae, and Darash Moshe – novellae on the Torah.

R. Moshe Feinstein had served as Rabbi of Lyuban, Belarus in 1921-1936 under the Bolsheviks, and it was during this period that he met R. Abramsky (1886-1976), who served as Rabbi of Slutsk from 1923-1930 until his arrest and exile to Siberia.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.

Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten by "the Tzaddik of Jerusalem", R. Aryeh Levin. Jerusalem, Tamuz 1958.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head rabbi of the London Beit Din and a leader of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Eretz Israel. The letter was written in the midst of a worldwide struggle against the building of a mixed swimming pool in Jerusalem.

R. Aryeh asks R. Abramsky to forgive him for what had been characterized as his attempt to compromise before asking the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, stating that R. Yechezkel Sarna had asked him to attempt to influence the Herut party not to give a permit for a mixed swimming pool without a separation between the genders, but he had not yet been briefed on what he was to demand of them. He adds that he was unaware of the details, as he avoids protests. He goes on to quote a letter he received from the party.

R. Aryeh reports on the negotiations, after his participation in the protest against the pool. He met with two activists who asked him to have Menachem Begin influence the party in question, quoting his answer. He ends with a blessing for the leaders of the Jewish people to join together, adding that he would never do any act of his own accord, and concludes with his signature.

The "Tzaddik of Jerusalem" R. Aryeh Levin (1885-1969), excelled in Torah and in charitable deeds. He served as the spiritual director and supervisor of the Etz Chaim Torah school. An alumnus of Lithuanian yeshivot Hlusk, Slutsk, Volozhin and the Torat Chaim yeshiva in Jerusalem, he was a cherished disciple of the leading Torah scholars of the generation: R. Refael Shapiro of Volozhin, R. Chaim Berlin, R. Shlomo Elyashiv the Leshem, R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz, R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, his brother-in-law R. Tzvi Pesach Frank and R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik of Brisk. He immigrated to Jerusalem in his youth and married the granddaughter of the head of the Jerusalem Beit Din, R. Chaim Yaakov Shapira. He was renowned for his dedication to acts of benevolence. He was a beloved friend to one and all, wholeheartedly sharing the difficulties and joys of his brethren. During the British Mandate he would regularly visit the prisoners in the British jails in order to encourage them, and he was known as the "rabbi of the prisoners". He was a beloved figure among all strata of society in Eretz Israel, regardless of their religious orientation, including many of the militants (of Lehi and the Irgun) who were close with him before the State of Israel was formed. He lent an ear to all and had true love for each and every one of his fellow Jews.

[1] leaf. 20 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Folding marks and creases.