Auction 102 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
Letter (23 lines), handwritten and signed by the kabbalist R. Shlomo Elyashov, author of Leshem Shevo VeAchlamah. Šiauliai (Lithuania), Iyar 1893.
Addressed to his friend and relative, R. Shraga Meir Leizerovitz of Kelm, regarding his young son Shmuel Shalom Leizerovitz, who departed to study Torah in Šiauliai: "…I address you since your dear son Mr. Shmuel Shalom is now studying here in Šiauliai, and he is, thank G-d, very close to his relative R. Eliezer Leizerovitz and R. Leibchik regarding his necessities, and he hired one of the extraordinary rabbis studying Torah in the Landkremer Kloiz for a salary of 15 silver rubles for this summer, and thank G-d he is studying diligently and behaving well and justly, garnering the admiration of those who fear G-d for being wise beyond his years. I too love him heart and soul, as he customarily visits me too (today is his bar mitzvah, Mazal Tov, may G-d have him grow with a good reputation and eternal blessing)…".
He goes on to ask him to send his son tuition money: "Now he asked me to write to you to see to send him fifteen silver rubles for tuition, and although it is hard for me to write about this to you, because I know that if G-d had granted you some means of getting money you would certainly have sent it to your poor wife and family, so why should I distress you, G-d forbid, by asking for this? But your son importuned me and due to my great love for him I couldn't send him back emptyhanded, so I came to remind you about this. If perhaps G-d will allow you to support him with this tuition, please make every effort to send it to him, because he will certainly bear fruit in his studies. And as for his mother, your wife, you know well that she has no ability whatsoever to send him the above sum. And so your son's eyes are dependent only on his father, and all of us on our Father in heaven to have pity on His people and declare our troubles enough, and provide enough to sustain every single person sufficiently, for you along with the rest of the Jewish people, to provide His holy assistance and raise your pride higher and higher, as is your pure desire and mine, your devoted friend, your relative, Shlomo Elyashov".
In the margins of the letter, he writes: "When G-d grants you to send the above sum, you can send it to my address, Shlomo Elyashov, Šiauliai – peace to you forever".
R. Shlomo Elyashov (Elyashiv; 1851-1926), a leading kabbalist in Lithuania – "the divine kabbalist, master of secrets, unique in his generation…" (as his disciple R. Aryeh Levin described him in the title page of the biography he authored), born in Žagarė (northern Lithuania), married the daughter of R. David Fein of Šiauliai and moved there. He studied in the yeshivas of Telshe, Kelm and the region, where he became close to the senior kabbalists of the tradition of the Vilna Gaon and R. Yitzchak Eizik Chaver, who deemed him fit to be instructed in kabbalistic secrets.
R. Shlomo became renowned at a young age for his proficiency in kabbalah, and he arranged for printing most of the kabbalistic writings of the Vilna Gaon. His glosses on Etz Chaim were printed in the Warsaw 1891 edition under the name "SheVaCh" (Shlomo ben Chaikel). His series of books on Kabbalah, Leshem Shevo VeAchlamah, were published in 1909-1948, and are considered fundamental works on the study of Kabbalah. His books and writings were composed amidst much holiness and purity (he reputedly also used the "adjuration of the pen"). He entertained a close relationship with the Chafetz Chaim, who visited him in his home in Šiauliai and Gomel several times (the Chafetz Chaim once spent a Shabbat with him in Šiauliai, and on that occasion, the women of the family ate the meals in a different room; see letter of R. Tzvi Ferber, Yeshurun, V, p. 663, no. 6). The Chafetz Chaim urged his disciple R. Eliyahu Dushnitzer to go visit the Leshem, saying that in this world one may still merit to see him, while in the World to Come, his place will be in the highest spheres, and we will be far from him.
During World War I, the Leshem fled from Šiauliai to Gomel (Ukraine; present-day Belarus), along with his daughter and son-in-law R. Avraham Levinson-Elyashiv who served as rabbi and posek in Gomel (1878-1943; in his visa to Eretz Israel he changed his name to match that of his father-in-law), and their only son, Yosef Shalom (1910-2012, who later became famous as a leading posek of our times). In 1924 they immigrated to Jerusalem together. Upon their arrival, he was greeted by the leading Sephardi and Ashkenazi kabbalists, notably R. Shaul Dweck (dean of the Rechovot HaNahar yeshiva), who had corresponded with him over the years, the disciples of the Ben Ish Chai who had heard of R. Shlomo's greatness from their master, and Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook (who was his disciple in kabbalah while still in Šiauliai).
The recipient of the letter: R. Shraga Meir Leizerovitz (1840-1929) was a native of Kelm (Kelmė). He was a pious person and a kabbalist, close to R. Leibele, the Chassid of Kelm. He was a childhood friend and intimate associate of the foremost kabbalists of Lithuania (the Leshem, R. Aryeh Leib Lipkin of Kretinga, R. Aharon Shlomo Maharil, R. Yitzchak Meltzan and others) and of the leading disciples of R. Yisrael Salanter. He arrived in England in the early 1890s, where he served for many years as rabbi of the Talmud society. In his later years he immigrated to
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Dark stains. Wear and creases. Minor marginal tears.
Lengthy letter (3 leaves) handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Kamenets. [Kamenets], Nisan 1933.
Addressed to his relative R. Yechezkel Abramsky, Rabbi of the Machazikei HaDat community in London, calling for assistance for the Kamenets yeshiva, which was in dire financial shape.
"I hereby request that you have mercy on our holy yeshiva, which is looking in hope for the mercy of the Jewish people to heal the crushed spirit of our holy Torah. If we are not for ourselves, who will come to G-d's help to uphold His Torah now?... For Him it is fitting to come and join the crushed spirit of the holy Torah, and to be of help and support, and how amazing will one's reward be…". R. Baruch Ber recounts the difficulties in attaining an entrance visa to England for "my son-in-law, as my son, R. Yitzchak Turetz", and he hopes: "May G-d grant my son-in-law success to feed the students who toil in Torah day and night in learning and study…". He goes on to beg R. Abramsky to join the support for the yeshiva: "…Therefore, if we, G-d forbid, ignore this Torah work, what will be of the Torah? What of making holy flocks who will recount G-d's might even to the coming generation? Therefore I beg, on behalf of the holy Torah, of its beloved son, namely you, for my pleas on its behalf to pierce your ears, and for you to strengthen yourself as a lion to forbear all of your personal cares and concerns, and with G-d's help, may G-d do miracles for you… And your words will certainly be accepted for the service of G-d, and there will be support for the great house where Torah and fear of G-d have been cultivated, thank G-d, for some fifty years…".
At the beginning and end of the letter are warm blessings. At the beginning of the letter R. Baruch Ber blesses him: "May the Supreme One bless you and your family, the modest Rebbetzin, my wife's relative, with all of your offspring, may you enjoy satisfaction and pleasure all your days for lengthy days and years, and may there be great blessing to all who take refuge in the shade of your Torah, may they be blessed forever, and may we all soon see our redemption and the coming of our Messiah speedily in our days, Amen".
In the conclusion of the letter (on the third leaf), R. Baruch Ber blesses him to have his sons escape from exile in Russia and reach him in England: "I, your relative, seeking your welfare, bless you to have peace from all sides, and may G-d grant you success to have you sons return to you whole and healthy, and may you and the Rebbetzin have satisfaction, and may we merit to see the salvation of Israel and the coming of our Messiah, speedily in our days, Amen, Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the holy Beit Yitzchak yeshiva. Eve of 29th Nisan, 1933".
R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz (1864-1939), author of Birkat Shmuel, leading Torah disseminator in his times. He was a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva, and the son-in-law of R. Avraham Yitzchak Zimmerman, Rabbi of Hlusk (son-in-law of R. Yaakov Moshe Direktor, Rabbi of Novaya Mysh). After his father-in-law went to serve as rabbi of Kremenchuk, he succeeded him in Hlusk and established a yeshiva. After a 13-year tenure, he was asked to head the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Slabodka. During World War I, he wandered with the yeshiva to Minsk, Kremenchuk and Vilna, before finally settling in Kamenets. He authored Birkat Shmuel on Talmudic topics. His teachings and writings are classics of in-depth yeshiva study.
The recipient of the letter, R. Yechezkel Abramsky, Rabbi of Slutsk and London (1886-1976), was a relative of R. Baruch Ber by marriage, as Rebbetzin Beila Zimmerman of Kremenchhuk, R. Baruch Ber's mother-in-law, was the sister of R. Yisrael Yaakov Yerushalimsky, R. Abramsky's father-in-law.
[3] leaves. Official stationery. 28-29 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks. Small marginal tears.
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.
Three lengthy letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 3rd Kislev, 12th Kislev and 27th Kislev 1933.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi of London and an intimate associate of his. The letters discuss various public affairs, mainly the personal issue of R. Abramsky, whose two eldest sons were left behind in exile in Soviet Russia, in particular his second son Yaakov David Abramsky, who was exiled by the Soviets and was in mortal danger.
Two of the letters are handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer, while the third is handwritten by his scribe R. Alter Voronovsky, with a line handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer. Two of the letters have several added lines from his relative R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (who signs with his initials) – confidant, scribe and secretary of R. Chaim Ozer.
In the first letter, dated 3rd Kislev, R. Chaim begins by telling how he was "occupied the whole week from a gathering of the leading yeshiva deans and rabbis which took place last week, to take counsel regarding the yeshivas which are suspended in thin air, and educational matters in our country". He goes on to request him to have the Committee in England approve the budget for the Ramailes yeshiva in Vilna – "for the yeshiva which is my responsibility". R. Chaim Ozer writes that he received his regards "from my brother-in-law the Gaon and Tzaddik R. E. Wasserman", who told him of his distress and concern for the welfare of R. Abramsky's son in exile. R. Chaim Ozer asks him to inform him of the details, as "perhaps I can make efforts on his behalf". He goes on to tell of various activities to save "the jailed Torah students" in Russia, on the part of various emissaries and heads of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis in the United States. He seeks to help Bentzion Krynfiss and his family, who had participated in the efforts to send food packages to Russian rabbis, and were endangered because "the Hitlerists suspect him of being aligned with the Communists, due to his efforts to send packages to Russia… and he is in great danger… and has to flee to England…". In the margins of the letter R. Chaim Ozer asks R. Abramsky to attain more addresses of Russian rabbis in order to send them food packages.
In the second letter, dated 12th Kislev (written by his scribe; in the margins, R. Chaim Ozer adds a handwritten apology: "due to an eye pain, I write at night by someone else"), he notes that he wrote to the Union of Rabbis in New York, asking them to work with alacrity on behalf of your son Y[aakov] D[avid]. Surely you will also write to them and your uncle R. Yosef Kanovitz to be vigilant". He proceeds to discuss assistance for the Ramailes yeshiva and the Krynfiss family.
Towards the end of the letter, R. Chaim Ozer discusses the Torah thoughts R. Abramsky had sent him, and apologizes that he was unable to study his novellae on the Tosefta, "…And I will return the printed sheets to you through your relative [R. Alter Voronovsky] as requested".
In the third letter, dated "3rd day of Chanukah", R. Chaim Ozer begins by recounting his occupations due to another rabbinical assembly held in Vilna the previous week, and the celebration for the beginning of writing of a Torah scroll in memory of the Chafetz Chaim – "A public Sefer Torah, the profit of which would go to benefit the yeshivas…". "Now regarding your exiled son, I will inform you that as I heard, your uncle R. Kanovitz was selected as head of the Union of Rabbis in America, son-in-law of the Ridvaz. And now we must address him by letter and press him to use every means… to save him from exile…". R. Chaim Ozer goes on to refer to his activity to save the same Bentzion Krynfiss, who was sending food packages, because "this is actual threat to life".
R. Chaim Ozer goes on to write that he returned the proofs of Tosefta Chazon Yechezkel to his relative R. Aharon Voronovsky, and says: "I looked at them and found straightforward and correct ideas". The letter concludes with blessings: "Signing with much blessing to you and all your dear family. May G-d do miracles and wonders for us as He did to our forefathers in those days at this time, and may all your sons recline like olive shoots at your table, as is the desire of your pure soul and that of your friend, esteeming and respecting you, seeking your welfare, Chaim Ozer Grodzinski".
On the verso of the third letter is another Torah letter handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer, regarding sacrifices, on the topic of an animal lacking a limb between slaughtering and receiving the blood. Among other things he cites an idea of "R. Eizik Kostyukovsky" [R. Yehoshua Eizik Kostyukovsky (1907-1941; perished in the Holocaust), a leading Torah scholar of the Mir yeshiva, where he was known as R. Eizel Vilner. Served as lecturer in the Lomza yeshiva headed by his father-in-law R. Yechiel Mordechai Gordon. Perished in the Holocaust with his entire family, in the Ponary massacre]. The present responsum was printed, with a few changes, by R. Chaim Ozer, in Responsa Achiezer, III (Vilna, 1939), within a lengthy discussion on this topic (section 30), composed of several letters on the issue.
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski, Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
The recipient of the letters, R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna [which was then under Polish control] to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who listened to the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33). While subsequently serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy and Slutsk, he served often as R. Chaim Ozer's agent in various communal affairs. R. Abramsky smuggled the manuscript of Part I of his Chazon Yechezkel from Slutsk to his teacher R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who was involved in its publication in Vilna, 1925, through his confidant R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (R. Abramsky's wife's cousin). When R. Abramsky was arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia in 1930, R. Chaim Ozer made every possible effort to release him. After his release in 1931, R. Chaim Ozer and the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch joined with R. Abramsky to initiate the project of sending Pesach flour and food packages to Jews under the Bolshevik regime in Russia. Likewise, R. Abramsky was active on missions on behalf of R. Chaim Ozer for yeshivas in Poland and Lithuania and for rabbis of Europe. They also cooperated on many public issues, including the struggles for Jewish marriage and against the anti-Semitic laws in Germany and Europe forbidding Jewish shechitah (requiring stunning animals before slaughtering, which renders the meat non-kosher), and on rescue activity for rabbis and yeshivas who fled as refugees to Vilna at the start of the Holocaust. The present letters reflect some of their cooperation on wide-ranging public activities.
R. Abramsky's relative, who signed with his initials – R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (perished in the Holocaust) was a secretary and confidant of R. Chaim Ozer, and served as a scribe for his many letters. In 1925 R. Alter published Part I of his cousin R. Abramsky's Chazon Yechezkel from a manuscript smuggled from Russia. His father was R. Yitzchak Yaakov Voronovsky, author of Chelkat Yaakov (d. 1904), who served as Rabbi of Mush (Novaya Mysh) for 25 years, succeeding his father-in-law R. Yaakov Moshe Direktor Rabbi of Mush (grandfather of R. Abramsky's wife).
3 letters. Official stationery. 26 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears to folds and margins.
Five letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, addressed to his disciple and intimate associate, R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din. Vilna, Shevat, Adar and Nisan 1937.
The letters were partially written by two of R. Chaim Ozer's scribes, with several lines handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer – who signs over six times.
Enclosed in addition are two copies of halachic responsa from R. Simchah Zelig, head of the Brisk Beit Din (handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer's scribes).
The letters relate to various matters – halachic issues and public and private affairs (including consolation for the passing of his father R. Mordechai Zalman Abramsky – who had lived in Żołudek, Poland (present-day Zhaludok, Belarus), in his old age, and passed away in early Shevat 1937.
In the letter dated 12th Shevat, R. Chaim Ozer writes that on the previous Thursday "I wrote you a letter of consolation. I also informed you of what I responded to R. Ferber regarding civil marriage. Now yesterday, I received a telegram from the Beit Din asking for my opinion on a Get where the signed witnesses and the agent don't remember the case… but in the ledger of the Beit Din they found that the husband appointed the attendant as an agent for transporting the Get…". R. Chaim Ozer writes that due to his faintness, it is hard for him to study this topic.
In the letter dated 12th Adar, R. Chaim Ozer goes on to discuss the issue of testimony by the judge in the Beit Din ledger. He apologizes that he doesn't have a decision on the issue, and he adds that he wants to consult with "another great person, and we will decide the case together with you". [R. Chaim Ozer appears to have consulted R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, and the head of the Brisk Beit Din and senior posek R. Simchah Zelig Reguer; see below].
On the margins of the letter, R. Chaim Ozer writes that the sending of matzah to Russian rabbis for Pesach has been delayed, and asks Mr. Keiser "to send it directly to the rabbis whose addresses I will provide…".
In the letter dated 7th Nisan, R. Chaim Ozer discusses the law mandating stunning of animals before slaughtered, and the trouble due to the expert opinion of Dr. Ehrenpreis of Stockholm "who addressed the government ministers [in Sweden], telling them that there is no prohibition to stun animals before shechitah". R. Chaim Ozer asks R. Abramsky "to stay vigilant, and perhaps the Chief Rabbi Dr. Hertz can address Dr. Ehrenpreis asking him not to do such a thing, which… could cause serious damage to our people throughout the Jewish diaspora…". He goes on to discuss the assistance to the Ramailes yeshiva in Vilna, mentioning that "A.M. Keiser sent, at my request, packages for Pesach needs to seventy rabbis in Russia. R. Goodman also sent thirty packages. Thank G-d, I managed to return and send to all those who sought and requested it from there…". R. Chaim Ozer concludes with Pesach blessings: "I sign with much blessing, the blessing of the upcoming holy festival, in accordance with your pure desire and that of your friend, esteeming and respecting you, Chaim Ozer Grodzinski".
On verso of letter dated 7th Nisan, additional letter signed by R. Chaim Ozer, on the same topic of agency in a Get: "As for your question regarding the Get, I informed the head rabbi of the Beit Din there [R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik] via the yeshiva dean of Brisk and to R. Simchah Zelig, and enclosed is his second responsum and his first letter. Although what he says has not been made clear to me, and I responded to him about this, nevertheless I saw fit to send you his letters…".
The copy of R. Simchah Zelig's first responsum is written on R. Chaim Ozer's official stationery. R. Simchah Zelig writes: "In my opinion, you should write to hurry R. Yechezkel to deliver the Get, so that this will not become an irremediable situation…".
In the continuation (in the month of Nisan), R. Simchah Zelig writes an additional letter on the issue, citing various traditions he had received on similar cases regarding reliability based on writing, in the name of R. Akiva Eiger, the Beit HaLevi and R. Refael Shapiro, and regarding the question of a conditional Get given by a man on his deathbed, "in the lifetime of the our master and teacher, the Gaon" [R. Chaim of Brisk]. He writes that in his opinion the Get can be delivered, "and in my opinion there is no question about the matter, since the truth is that he is an agent. Therefore I said to R. Naftali son of R. Elchanan [Wasserman] that to me there is no question in the matter…". [These two letters of R. Simchah Zelig were published in Moriah, VIII, issues 4-5 (88-89, Elul 1978, pp. 18-21].
In a letter dated Erev Pesach, R. Chaim Ozer writes regarding support for yeshivas and Dr. Ehrenpreis' actions regarding stunning animals. In the margins, R. Chaim Ozer adds his decision regarding the above question regarding the Get [these letters were printed in the above issue of Moriah, and from there were printed in Responsa Achiezer, IV, Bnei Brak 1986 – sections 55-56].
In the letter dated the third day of Chol HaMoed Pesach, R. Chaim Ozer writes to R. Abramsky: "Regarding the Get, in my opinion it isn't proper to print a booklet specifically dealing with this question, because there will be those who object and appeal, nor has it been the practice to print one for each question. But if you eventually manage to publish a dedicated responsa work, or to add some booklets from your novellae on Tosefta Nashim, you should do so".
At the end of the letter from Chol HaMoed Pesach, he discusses the activity to rescue "R. Avraham Eliyahu Maizis of Kremenchuk, who has been imprisoned in Moscow…".
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of European Jewry. He was the son of R. David Shlomo Grodzinski, Rabbi of Iwye. He was renowned from his childhood for his exceptional brilliance. He entered the Volozhin yeshiva at the young age of 11, and became a disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk. At the age of 24, he was appointed rabbi and posek of Vilna, succeeding his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky, a posek in Vilna (son-in-law of R. Yisrael Salanter). He assumed the yoke of public leadership from a young age, and his opinion was conclusive on all public issues which arose throughout the Jewish world for close to fifty years.
The recipient of the letters, R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a confidant and agent of R. Chaim Ozer of Vilna ever since developing close ties with him in his youth while studying under his influence in Vilna. In winter of 1806, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna [which was then under Polish control] to avoid conscription to the Russian army. In Vilna he was accepted into the Ramailes yeshiva and joined the elite class of students who listened to the advanced lectures of R. Chaim Ozer (based on Melech BeYofyo, pp. 29-33). While subsequently serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy and Slutsk, he served often as R. Chaim Ozer's agent in various communal affairs. R. Abramsky smuggled the manuscript of Part I of his Chazon Yechezkel from Slutsk to his teacher R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who was involved in its publication in Vilna, 1925, through his confidant R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (R. Abramsky's wife's cousin). When R. Abramsky was arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia in 1930, R. Chaim Ozer made every possible effort to release him. After his release in 1931, R. Chaim Ozer and the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch joined with R. Abramsky to initiate the project of sending Pesach flour and food packages to Jews under the Bolshevik regime in Russia. Likewise, R. Abramsky was active on missions on behalf of R. Chaim Ozer for yeshivas in Poland and Lithuania and for rabbis of Europe. They also cooperated on many public issues, including the struggles for Jewish marriage and against the anti-Semitic laws in Germany and Europe forbidding Jewish shechitah (requiring stunning animals before slaughtering, which renders the meat non-kosher), and on rescue activity for rabbis and yeshivas who fled as refugees to Vilna at the start of the Holocaust. The present letters reflect some of their cooperation on wide-ranging public activities.
Three of the present letters have lines added, handwritten and signed (with his initials) by R. Abramsky's relative – R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (perished in the Holocaust) was a secretary and confidant of R. Chaim Ozer, and served as a scribe for his many letters. In 1925 R. Alter published Part I of his cousin R. Abramsky's Chazon Yechezkel from a manuscript smuggled from Russia. His father was R. Yitzchak Yaakov Voronovsky, author of Chelkat Yaakov (d. 1904), who served as Rabbi of Mush (Novaya Mysh) for 25 years, succeeding his father-in-law R. Yaakov Moshe Direktor Rabbi of Mush (grandfather of R. Abramsky's wife).
5 letters on official stationery (comprising 8 leaves, including 10 written pages). Varying size. Overall good to fair-good condition. Stains, tears and wear.
16-page booklet, including a lengthy letter (approx. one and a half pages), handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva, and 14-page handwritten booklet, with notes of R. Isser Zalman on Chazon Yechezkel. Jerusalem, Sivan 1926.
First two pages handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, and next 14 pages are a handwritten scribal copy. Addressed to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head rabbi of the Slutsk Beit Din (R. Isser Zalman's successor as Rabbi of Slutsk). R. Isser Zalman writes: "…I received your worthy and lofty book with your letters at the time, and forgive me for delaying to answer… And since I had already begun to write some things on your worthy book and Torah novellae, I didn't want to respond emptyhanded, and day by day I was delayed from finishing my response. Now, thank G-d, I am better, and I finished my letter on the Torah novellae, which I also had copied in neat handwriting…".
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer goes on to answer R. Yechezkel Abramsky's question, regarding whether he should send his son to study in a yeshiva in Eretz Israel, and further stresses the importance of Chazon Yechezkel: "Regarding your lofty book, I looked at it in many places and I found it to be a very lofty book. And I saw how much toil and wisdom is set between its lines. And I can tell 'part of its praise in your presence', that I have found lofty and straightforward novellae, and interpretations that are beneficial and highly necessary to 'explain everything difficult' in the Tosefta, and in truth I also looked at some places far from the beginning of the book… May G-d be with you, and may the verse 'Wisdom sings outside' be fulfilled of you and may your fame spread afar, in accordance with your lofty powers, and may you have prominence in all cities in the great city in which you will reside in honor and glory, and may G-d assist you to complete your work on the entire Tosefta. Your friend, loving you and seeking your welfare, Isser Zalman Meltzer".
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 the young prodigy "Zunye" highly, and would say that "when Zunyele opens his mouth, the pipes of his brain open up" – as a student who increases his teachers' knowledge). 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 with 14 elite disciples, 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 the Kletsk and Lakewood yeshivas (and also headed the Independent Educational System).
The recipient,
R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel (1886-1976), head rabbi of the Beit Din of Slutsk and London, 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. During his tenure in Slutsk, he began his magnum opus, the Chazon Yechezkel on the Tosefta. The manuscript of the first part of Chazon Yechezkel was smuggled from Slutsk to R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna, who had it printed in Vilna in 1925 by R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky (R. Abramsky's wife's cousin), R. Chaim Ozer's confidant and scribe. In 1930 R. Abramsky was arrested and exiled to Siberia by the Bolshevik authorities. When R. Abramsky was released in 1932, he first reached Lithuania and later that year 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], 14 pages. 27 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks and tears. Letters deleted on last page on folds. Detached leaves, without binding.
Lengthy letter (2 large pages, 63 lines) handwritten and signed by R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (the Steipler Gaon). Bnei Brak, "Thursday, Korach" [24th Sivan] 1951.
Addressed to his mechutan, R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, during the engagement period of his son R. Chaim Kanievsky to Rebbetzin Batsheva, R. Elyashiv's eldest daughter (the engagement was on Lag BaOmer 1951, and the wedding took place the following Kislev). In the letter, the Steipler tells how he paid key money to rent an apartment he had found for the young couple: "…I write to inform you that thank G-d, we got to rent a fine apartment for the couple here in Bnei Brak, second floor, a nice room with a kitchen, bathroom and the rest… The apartment is really worth double or more; the landlord could have asked for 1,000 lira immediately, but they are honorable people of the city who love the Torah very much, and they are leasing the house to us for love of Torah, may G-d reward them in this world and the next".
He goes on to write about Torah issues on various topics, which R. Yosef Shalom had discussed with him in a previous letter (regarding destroying chametz which became Notar, spilling of sacrificial blood, and Meilah by eating something worth less than a Perutah).
The Steipler concludes the letter by blessing the mechutanim and "the excellent bride": "I sign with all concluding blessings to you, with the honorable family, and especially the dear, excellent bride, seeking your welfare with much love, hoping for G-d's great kindness, Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky".
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 match between R. Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022) and Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky (1932-2012), eldest daughter of R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, was concluded upon the advice of the groom's uncle, the Chazon Ish, who stated that as a daughter of a veritable Torah scholar, she was truly suited for him. R. Elyashiv later retold 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 salvations as a result of her prayers and blessings. Thousands of women flocked to Rebbetzin Batsheva, seeking her heartfelt encouragement and wise counsel.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 30 cm. Written on both sides (63 lines in his handwriting). Good condition. Creases and folding marks.
The present letter was published in various forums, including Yeshurun (XXVIII, Nisan 2013, pp. 311-312).
26 letters, on aerograms, short halachic responsa handwritten by R. Chaim Kanievsky. Bnei Brak, 1973-1978.
The letters were sent by airmail to the United States, in response to questions of R. Ephraim Greenblatt, author of Rivevot Efraim, who held a rabbinic position in Memphis, Tennessee. The letters are unsigned, but about seven of the letters have the name of the sender and his address handwritten by R. "Chaim Kanievsky". Most of the letters have the name of the sender and address ofrecipient handwritten by the Rebbetzin or others.
Short, concise responsa to various questions about Torah and halachic customs. In response to one of the questions, R. Chaim answers humbly: "I am surprised how it could occur to you that I would decide between the great. And in such cases we say that one who follows this opinion may do so, [and one who follows the other opinion may do so]". The letters also discuss the sending of books to R. Greenblatt, and receiving his book. In a letter dated Kislev 1974, R. Chaim apologizes for his delay in responding, "because they couldn't manage to buy letters".
In the letter dated Elul 1975, R. Chaim opens the letter with Shanah Tovah blessings: "May my friend R. Ephraim be written and sealed for a Shanah Tovah".
26 aerograms. Varying size and condition. Most in good condition.