Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art | Page 11

Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art

Jan 27, 2026

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Lot 121 Collection of Letters by Rabbis and Others – Galicia, Poland and Ukraine – 1900s-1930s

Large assorted collection of letters from rabbis, Torah scholars and other individuals. Galicia, Poland and Ukraine, ca. 19

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Collection of Letters by Rabbis and Others – Galicia, Poland and Ukraine – 1900s-1930s

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $300

Sold for: $1,125

Including buyer's premium

Large assorted collection of letters from rabbis, Torah scholars and other individuals. Galicia, Poland and Ukraine, ca. 1900s-1930s.

The collection includes letters from R. David HaLevi Horowitz, Rabbi of Stanislav; R. David Tzvi Auerbach, Rabbi of Sokołów (Galicia; present-day Stryi region, Ukraine); R. Avraham Friedman Rabbi of Luhansk; R. Ze'ev Wolf Gerstel Rabbi of Novyi Yarychiv; R. Asher Zelig HaKohen Lauterbach of Drohobych; R. Yaakov Avigdor Rabbi of Drohobych-Boryslav; and many others.

Over 30 letters. Most on sent postcards. Varying size and condition.

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Lot 122 Letter of Blessing and Thanks from Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – Kamenets, Av 1933

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Kamenets. [Kamenets],

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $1,000

Sold for: $1,750

Including buyer's premium

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Beit Yitzchak yeshiva in Kamenets. [Kamenets], 11th Av 1933. Yiddish.

Addressed to donors of the yeshiva, the Feigin family in Philadelphia, USA. R. Baruch Ber showers them with blessings and thanks for their generous support for the yeshiva.

Most of the letter is typewritten, and it concludes with about eight lines of warm, heartfelt blessings handwritten, stamped and signed by the yeshiva dean R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz: "Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the holy Beit Yitzchak yeshiva".

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. 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.

[2] leaves, official stationery. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains and folding marks.

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Lot 123 Letter of Shanah Tovah Blessings by Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz – Tishrei 1938

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva of Kamenets. [Kam

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $1,500

Sold for: $2,750

Including buyer's premium

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Baruch Dov (Ber) Leibowitz, dean of the Knesset Beit Yitzchak yeshiva of Kamenets. [Kamenets], 7th Tishrei 1938.

Addressed to his relative R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel, with many heartfelt Shanah Tovah blessings.

He confirms receipt of funds for the yeshiva sent by R. Abramsky, and blesses him with lengthy life for him and his family and redemption, concluding with his signature, "Baruch Dov Leibowitz, dean of the holy Beit Yitzchak yeshiva, 7th Tishrei 1938".

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 Kremenchuk, R. Baruch Ber's mother-in-law, was the sister of R. Yisrael Yaakov Yerushalimsky, R. Abramsky's father-in-law.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28 cm. Approx. 15 handwritten lines. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks, with small open tear to one fold.

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Lot 124 Collection of Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – The Anti-Shechitah Laws in Germany – 1934

Collection of letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the anti-shechitah laws in Germany and other Ashkenazic coun

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Collection of Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – The Anti-Shechitah Laws in Germany – 1934

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $2,000

Sold for: $8,125

Including buyer's premium

Collection of letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the anti-shechitah laws in Germany and other Ashkenazic countries, addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky in London. Vilna, Nisan-Iyar 1934.

The collection includes four complete letters, and three more postscript leaves to the same letters on the same subjects (all handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer, apart from one handwritten by a scribe and signed by R. Chaim Ozer). Most of the letters relate to the struggle against the anti-Semitic laws outlawing shechitah in Germany and other countries, requiring stunning animals. One letter includes a copying of a lecture on the same topic, handwritten by a scribe of R. Chaim Ozer.

In the first letter, dated 2nd Nisan (in his handwriting, with his signature), he begins with the good news that R. Abramsky's eldest son was freed from forced labor in Russia, and expresses his hope that his younger son would be too [after R. Abramsky was freed from exile in Russia in 1932 along with his wife and two of his sons, his two elder sons were left in exile in Soviet Russia; the younger of the two, Yaakov David Abramsky, was exiled by the Soviets and was in mortal danger].

R. Chaim Ozer goes on to discuss the consequences of electric stunning for shechitah, and writes of a letter on the topic he had received from R. Yaakov Weinberg [the Seridei Esh]. R. Chaim Ozer adjures R. Abramsky not to answer the question before consulting together with him. R. Chaim Ozer mentions letters he had received from rabbis of Frankfurt and Berlin, noting that the mixed congregations tended to permit it, while the independent congregations opposed it. He states that the matter requires much deep thought on the fundamentals of Jewish shechitah.

In a postscript, apparently belonging to this letter, R. Chaim Ozer adds that he doesn't worry about the permissive view of the Chief Rabbi of England, as it wouldn't be taken into account, unless supported by R. Abramsky.

In a letter dated 3rd Nisan (handwritten by a scribe, with his own signature) R. Chaim Ozer denies a rumor that he had granted an approbation to an English publication of Mishnah Seder Nezikin and a chapter of Gemara (Chelek) in Sanhedrin. This letter includes a postscript leaf handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer on stunning of animals, repeating the need for discretion and asking him not to reveal the matter to Chief Rabbi H[ertz] before they consult with each other.

In the letter dated 11th Nisan, he writes (in his handwriting, with his signature) that he received a telegram from R. Abramsky and in response sent him a copying of his response to London and also to R. Munk in Berlin. He goes on to stress the need to be cautious before permitting stunning, as it was an innovation that affects the entire Jewish people. He discusses the writings that R. Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg had sent, and adds that he asked him to send them to the leading yeshiva deans in his own country, who were to gather to discuss the issue after Passover. He concludes with Passover blessings.

In another letter dated 3rd Iyar (in his handwriting, with his signature), R. Chaim Ozer discusses the printing of Chazon Yechezkel on Seder Moed, and on the gathering of yeshiva deans for the Torah scroll project [a Torah scroll in memory of the Chafetz Chaim, to raise funds to prevent yeshivas from collapse]. R. Chaim Ozer goes on to discuss the shechitah laws, stating that he received a telegram from the mixed and independent communities in Germany that they would meet on 9th Iyar to discuss the issue among themselves. He stresses the importance of the question which has ramifications on the entire Jewish world. R. Chaim Ozer goes on to express his hope for R. Abramsky's son to be freed from exile in Russia, with an additional response on Torah issues.

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 1906, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish occupation) 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, by 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 world-spanning efforts 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 public and private affairs and assistance to rabbis.

8 items, on official stationery, including 5 leaves signed by R. Chaim Ozer. Varying size and condition. Overall good condition.

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Lot 125 Collection of Letters from Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On the Anti-Shechitah Laws in Poland – 1938

Six letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the law proposed in the Polish Sejm to forbid Jewish shechitah. Vilna,

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Collection of Letters from Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On the Anti-Shechitah Laws in Poland – 1938

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $2,500

Sold for: $10,625

Including buyer's premium

Six letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the law proposed in the Polish Sejm to forbid Jewish shechitah. Vilna, Adar-Iyar 1938.

The letters are addressed to his intimate associate R. Yechezkel Abramsky, and relate to various issues. All of the letters discuss the struggle to preserve kosher shechitah in Poland, faced with the law proposed by the anti-Semitic parties in the Polish Sejm outlawing shechitah.

In the first letter, dated Thursday eve, 21st Adar II 1938, he writes (in scribal writing, with one line and signature handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer) that a parliamentary committee had decided to outlaw shechitah, and would turn the bill over to the Sejm for a vote, and he shares his severe appraisal of the gravity of the situation. R. Chaim Ozer asks R. Abramsky to speak with Chief Rabbi Hertz, and alludes to ways of applying diplomatic pressure.

R. Chaim Ozer goes on to report on the improving health condition of their friend R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, who was still suffering from asthma and was advised by his doctors to travel for his health. R. Chaim Ozer goes on to mention the delivery of food to the Jews of Soviet Russia. He concludes with a blessing, in his handwriting and with his signature. In the margins of the letter are two lines handwritten and signed (with initials) by his relative R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky – confidant, scribe and secretary of R. Chaim Ozer.

In the second letter, dated Motzaei Shabbat, 24th Adar II (handwritten by a scribe, with one line handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer), he reports on the passing of the anti-Semitic law in the Polish Sejm on Friday, completely outlawing shechitah. Although the law still had to be approved by the Senate in order to take effect, R. Chaim Ozer encourages R. Abramsky to address the issue as soon as possible, without delaying a single day. R. Chaim Ozer concludes with his handwritten blessings and signature.

In the third letter, dated Thursday eve, 28th Adar II 1938, he writes (handwritten by his scribe, with a line handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer) that the law was not yet passed to the Senate, and was temporarily postponed. He mentions a public fast day announced in his city and Warsaw. He mentions that the danger is still impending, and that the government opposes the law, but its opposition has been weakening. He mentions a letter he wrote to Chief Rabbi Hertz and mentions the name (in initials) of a British lord who was prepared to discuss the issue two years earlier. He writes further about the anti-shechitah laws in Germany, Sweden and Denmark, noting the difference from the Polish law: the proposed Polish law didn't require stunning of animals, nor did it permit kosher slaughter after stunning, but simply banned shechitah outright, simply to cause difficulty for Jews. He concludes with a line and blessings in his handwriting, with his signature. In the margins of the letter is another line handwritten and signed (with initials) by his relative R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky – confidant, scribe and secretary of R. Chaim Ozer.

In the fourth letter, dated the next day, Thursday, 28th Adar II 1938, R. Chaim Ozer writes (in his handwriting, with his signature) about R. Abramsky's plan to travel from London to Vilna to support the struggle, in response to a letter R. Abramsky had sent earlier which he received that day. He writes that he doesn't understand R. Abramsky's plan, repeating his message from the previous day that the Polish law has nothing to do with stunning or with animal welfare, and was only intended to exclude Jews from the meat business. He asks R. Abramsky to let him know if he still intends to visit, concluding with Passover blessings in his handwriting and with his signature.

In the fifth letter, dated 5th Iyar 1938, he writes (handwritten by his scribe, with a line handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer) that the shechitah issue is extremely serious and should not be delayed. He goes on to discuss transfer of funds for Torah institutions. R. Chaim Ozer concludes with a line in his handwriting, with his signature.

In the sixth letter, dated 23rd Iyar, R. Chaim Ozer writes at length (in his handwriting, with his signature), regarding the anti-shechitah law, which was delayed to a parliamentary session in the beginning of June, leaving two to three weeks for action, and encourages him to strengthen the government's opposition to the laws, which may at least bring about a temporary delay. He encourages him to have Chief Rabbi Hertz continue to work on the issue without delay.

He goes on to discuss budgets and transfer of funds to Torah institutions, expressing his dismay that the Chorev network of schools was removed from the budget. He also discusses the efforts to save the Rabbi of Shklow and allow him to emigrate from Soviet Russia. He concludes with blessings and his signature.

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 (then under Polish occupation) 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, by 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 world-spanning efforts 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 halachah, public and private affairs and assistance to rabbis.

6 letters, on official stationery. Varying size and condition. Overall good condition.

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Lot 126 Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski to the Chief Rabbi of Britain – On the Anti-Shechitah Laws in Poland – 1938

Letter from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the law proposed in the Polish Sejm to forbid Jewish shechitah. Vilna, Nisa

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $500

Sold for: $2,125

Including buyer's premium

Letter from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, regarding the law proposed in the Polish Sejm to forbid Jewish shechitah. Vilna, Nisan 1938.

The letter is addressed to Rabbi Dr. Joseph Herman Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, asking him to have English officials exert their influence on the Polish government to prevent the passing of the law proposed by the anti-Semitic parties in the Polish Sejm outlawing shechitah.

R. Chaim Ozer writes to him (scribe's handwriting, with two lines in his own handwriting with his signature) regarding the law, which is likely to be passed in the future, despite the Polish government's previous opposition to it, due to a rise in hatred "on all sides, east and west" [referring to Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany].

R. Grodzinski presents the Chief Rabbi with a plan to influence the foreign ministers through diplomatic channels.

R. Chaim adds his own handwritten blessings for the upcoming festival of Passover, concluding with his signature.

The recipient of the letter, Rabbi Dr. Joseph Herman Hertz (1872-1946), was born in Hungary, immigrating and serving in various rabbinic positions in the United States, South Africa and finally England, where he was appointed Chief Rabbi of London and the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire.

R. Hertz was a bold supporter of the Jewish people worldwide and the Zionist movement. He worked together with the rabbis of England to strengthen religious observance, opposing trends of reformation. In his (English) writings and commentaries, he denounced Biblical critics and demonstrated the belief in G-d and the divine Torah.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Light stains. Folding marks. Wear and minor tears to folds and margins.

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Lot 127 Two Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – Medical Expenses of Rabbi Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik of Brisk, Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz and Rabbi Shimon Shkop – Vilna, Av 1939

Two letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Av 1939.

Handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer's scribes (one hand resembling R

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Two Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – Medical Expenses of Rabbi Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik of Brisk, Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz and Rabbi Shimon Shkop – Vilna, Av 1939

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $1,000

Sold for: $2,125

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Two letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Av 1939.

Handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer's scribes (one hand resembling R. Chaim Ozer's own), with several lines in his own handwriting and signatures. Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head rabbi of the London Beit Din. The letters comprise various issues, and relate mainly to R. Abramsky's transfer of funds to cover the medical expenses of R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, who was traveling to the spa town Krynica-Zdrój (southern Poland) [the Brisker Rav's final trip to Krynica, before the war broke out on his way back to Brisk, compelling him to spend Sukkot in Warsaw and flee with some of his family to Vilna, and from there to Eretz Israel], and to fund the medical expenses of the senior yeshiva deans R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz and R. Shimon Shkop.

In his first letter, dated 18th Av, R. Chaim Ozer writes that he received a letter from the Brisker Rav in Krynica, and he provided him with 500 złoty, and 200 złoty each to R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz and R. Shimon Shkop, at R. Abramsky's expense.

At the beginning of the letter, he mentions a letter of protest he had sent to London, opposing the proposed fixed timing of Kabbalat Shabbat (see next lot). R. Abramsky had expressed the opinion that a sharper tone would have been better, while R. Chaim Ozer responds that he doesn't understand R. Abramsky's intention, explaining that he had attempted to write the letter without slighting Chief Rabbi Hertz, and assuming his mistake was inadvertent. He asks R. Abramsky to send him back the letter with his proposed additions for him to edit and resend.

In the second letter, dated 26th Av, he discusses the protest against changing the time for the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer in London. He states that he had just sent a brief letter (see next lot), asking him to send back his previous message, which he would edit at length.

He goes on to discuss the money transfer to fund the medical expenses of R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, and yeshiva deans R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz and R. Shimon Shkop, for the sum of 500 złoty, which he had sent to the former two and was to send to the latter.

R. Chaim Ozer concludes the letter with blessings and his signature.

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, by 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 world-spanning efforts 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 halachah, public and private affairs and assistance to rabbis.

2 letters, on official stationery. 29 cm. Good condition. Creases and folding marks.

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Lot 128 Letter of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – On Time for Kabbalat Shabbat in London – Vilna, 1939

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 26th Av 1939.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $800

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Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 26th Av 1939.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din. The letter discusses the proposal of the community committee for a fixed time for the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer year-round, which was liable to lead to Shabbat desecration (in England, the day is especially short in winter, and especially long in summer).

R. Chaim Ozer declares this to be in opposition to the halachah as presented in the Shulchan Aruch, and asks R. Abramsky to do all he can to prevent it.

The recipient of the letter, 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 1906, the "prodigy of Masty" Yechezkel Abramsky was forced to leave the Telshe yeshiva and flee to Vilna (then under Polish occupation) 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, by 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 world-spanning efforts to release him.

1 leaf, official stationery. 29 cm. Good condition. Light stains and folding marks.

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Lot 129 Two Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – During the Holocaust – Vilna, Adar II 1940

Two letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Adar II [March-April] 1940.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabb

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Two Letters of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – During the Holocaust – Vilna, Adar II 1940

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

Opening: $1,000

Sold for: $2,250

Including buyer's premium

Two letters from R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Adar II [March-April] 1940.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, a rabbi of London and one of his intimate associates. The letters deal with rescue and support for the yeshivas and rabbis that fled to Vilna and independent Lithuania at the outbreak of World War II. At R. Chaim Ozer's instruction, many yeshivas fled Poland, which had been conquered by Germany and Russia, to Vilna and other cities in independent Lithuania. At the time, R. Chaim Ozer was assisting the leaders of the wandering yeshivas while taking care of their sustenance, doing everything possible to provide for their needs. The exiles to Vilna included R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav (who reached Vilna with some of his family members and students, who escaped and immigrated with him to Jerusalem in 1941); the Kamenets yeshiva and R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz (d. in Vilna, 5th Kislev 1940; his family was rescued with some of his students and they later immigrated to the United States and Eretz Israel); the Mir yeshiva; the Radin yeshiva; the Baranovitch yeshiva and R. Elchanan Wasserman; the Kletsk yeshiva and R. Aharon Kotler; and others.

In the first letter, dated 12th Adar II, R. Chaim Ozer writes of the disorder in mail during the war, and that some letters did not reach their address. R. Chaim Ozer confirms receipt of money from R. A. M. Keiser for yeshivas and rabbis in exile, noting that the funds were transferred to the Vaad HaYeshivot, the Brisker Rav, the yeshivas of Mir and Kletsk and the family of R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz. On the verso of the letter is a note of a few lines handwritten and signed (with his initials) by his relative R. Aharon Dov Alter Voronovsky – confidant, scribe and secretary of R. Chaim Ozer.

In the second letter, dated 22nd Adar II, R. Chaim Ozer mentions the need to vigilantly support the Torah institutions during the coming days, including the refugee rabbis in London. He mentions in particular his brother-in-law R. Binyamin Beinish Atlas of Glasgow and R. Unterman of Liverpool. He also encourages R. Abramsky to print his Chazon Yechezkel on Tosefta Tractate Zevachim.

Parts of the present letters appear to have been written by a scribe of R. Chaim Ozer (whose handwriting resembles that of R. Chaim Ozer), but the signature and conclusion are handwritten by R. Chaim Ozer.

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 (then under Polish occupation) 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, by 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 world-spanning efforts 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 to rescue rabbis and yeshivas fleeing World War II.

2 letters, on official stationery. 14.5X22 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and folding marks.

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Lot 130 Collection of Letters – Deans of Lithuanian Yeshivas and the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna – Ca. 1920s-1930s

Assorted collection of letters from yeshiva deans, community rabbis, yeshiva administrators, and the administration of the

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Collection of Letters – Deans of Lithuanian Yeshivas and the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna – Ca. 1920s-1930s

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

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Assorted collection of letters from yeshiva deans, community rabbis, yeshiva administrators, and the administration of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. Lithuania and Poland, [ca. 1920s-1930s].

• Letter (typewritten and unsigned) from the administration of the Baranovitch yeshiva headed by R. Elchanan Wasserman to R. Yisrael Yaakov Yaffe of Manchester. Shevat 1933. First page, without last page and signature.

• Receipt (in English) from the administration of the Or Torah yeshiva in Kelm, signed by rabbis of yeshiva R. Shlomo Pianko and R. Yitzchak Sadovski. Kelm, 1936.

R. Shlomo Pianko (perished in the Holocaust) was a distinguished Kelm alumnus, and served as lecturer in the Or Torah Kelm yeshiva for youth headed by R. Eliyahu Lopian.

• Letter of R. Chaim Walkin, lecturer in Volozhin yeshiva, regarding fundraisers. Volozhin, Nisan 1932. Open tear to side.

R. Chaim Walkin was the last dean of the Volozhin yeshiva (b. 1898, perished in the Holocaust with his entire family). A leading product of the Lithuanian yeshivas, student in Mir and Kelm, son of R. Aharon Walkin Rabbi of Pinsk, son-in-law of R. Yaakov Shapiro dean of Volozhin yeshiva and his successor from 1936.

• Letter of R. Yehudah Leib Analik Rabbi of Myszyniec on behalf of Beit Avraham yeshiva, to administration of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. Myszyniec, 1930.

R. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Analik Rabbi of Myszyniec (1884-1937), son of R. Shimon Dov Analik Rabbi of Siedlice (1848-1907), author of Orach Mishpat and Imrei Rashad, and uncle of R. Avraham Yaakov Pam, dean of Torah Vodaath yeshiva in the United States.

• Letter of R. Aharon Shmuel Tamares Rabbi of Milejczyce to administration of Vaad HaYeshivot, regarding fundraisers for the yeshiva. Milejczyce, 1929.

• Letter of R. Yitzchak Shlomo Gordin Rabbi of Mezeritch, to the administration of Vaad HaYeshivot regarding fundraising for yeshivot. Mezeritch (Velyki Mezhyrichi), 1930.

• Letter of R. David Faians of Bialystok, to the administrators of the Relief Fund, regarding budgets for the Tachkemoni Beit Midrash in the city. Bialystok, 1923.

• Letter of R. Yosef Shuv of Vilna (administrator of the Vaad HaYeshivot and confidant of R. Chaim Ozer). Addressed to Ze'ev Wolf Fischer-Schein in Eretz Israel. Vilna, Iyar 1938.

Apparently written on behalf of R. Chaim Ozer, who had asked them to consult with the Chazon Ish, regarding the Poalim organization in Eretz Israel and Shemitah observance.

• Six postcards addressed to the Vaad HaYeshivot from various locations.

14 letters (8 on official stationery and 6 postcards). Varying size and condition.

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Lot 131 Letter of Rabbi Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav – Brisk, 1936 – Finishing Printing Chidushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi, and Why He Can't Ordain Shochatim

Letter (approx. 14 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, Rabbi of Brisk (the Brisker Rav). Bris

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

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Letter (approx. 14 lines), handwritten and signed by R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, Rabbi of Brisk (the Brisker Rav). Brisk, 28th Iyar 1936.

Addressed to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, rabbi of the Machazikei HaDat community in London. He answers R. Abramsky's query about the kosher status of meat slaughtered by a shochet from Uruguay who had studied shechitah in Brisk. The Brisker Rav explains he avoids personally ordaining shochatim, as he is not personally acquainted with knife-sharpening, but states that he was certified by local shochatim.

He goes on to discuss the printing of his father's important Chidushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam (which was concluded that year). He congratulates R. Abramsky for the upcoming printing of his work on Seder Kodashim, and asks him to send him a copy.

The letter concludes with friendly blessings and a signature: "Yitzchak Ze'ev son of R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik".

R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav (1886-1959), son of R. Chaim HaLevi of Brisk, and grandson of the Beit HaLevi. Already at a young age, still in his father's lifetime, he was considered one of the prominent Torah leaders of the generation. In 1919 (about the age of 32), he succeeded his forefathers as Rabbi of Brisk, and with his Torah authority, he governed all religious matters in his city and the entire region. He managed to escape the Holocaust together with some of his children who fled from Brisk to Vilna, from which they immigrated to Jerusalem in 1941.

His authority was recognized by the entire Torah world in Eretz Israel and abroad. His books: Chidushei Maran Riz HaLevi on the Rambam and the Torah. His oral teachings were published as Chidushei HaGriz. His teachings serve to this day as a cornerstone of in-depth yeshiva learning and form the basis for the thought of large portions of Orthodox Jewry. He was famous for his searing fear of heaven and zeal for pure truth.

The recipient, R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), close disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk and close friend of his son R. Yitzchak Ze'ev. Shortly after his marriage, he traveled to Brisk to study under R. Chaim ca. 1910 (at the advice of his father-in-law R. Yisrael Yehonatan Yerushalimsky, a disciple of R. Chaim during his Volozhin period), where he stayed for some four months, after which point he became devoted to his Torah teachings for the rest of his life. While serving as Rabbi of Smilavichy, he visited his teacher R. Chaim, then staying in Minsk, for long periods, during which time he would clarify Torah topics with him. R. Yechezkel would say of his teacher R. Chaim's method of learning: "R. Chaim goes at once to the heart of the issue".

R. Chaim greatly appreciated his disciple's wisdom, and in one letter he calls him a friend (Melech BeYofyo, p. 95). During those periods R. Abramsky became a close friend of his teacher's son, R. Yitzchak Ze'ev (R. Velvele), which led to some fifty years of friendship and a close correspondence. Some of their Torah discussions and correspondence are printed in Chidushei Maran Riz HaLevi. When R. Abramsky was living in Jerusalem (after he immigrated to Israel in 1951), they met often and dealt with Torah issues and public affairs together.

In the 1930s, R. Abramsky was one of those encouraging the family members of his teacher R. Chaim Soloveitchik to accelerate the printing of Chidushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi. Famously, after his expulsion from Russia to Latvia by the Bolsheviks, his first telephone call from the border telephone station was about the progress of printing the book (see: Melech BeYofyo, pp. 219-221).

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wear and folding marks.

This letter was printed with a facsimile in Igrot Maran Riz HaLevi, Jerusalem 2008, letter 67, pp. 165-167.

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Lot 132 Letter of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer – Jerusalem, Cheshvan 1947 – On Rabbi Chaim Berlin's Library in His Home, and Otzar HaPoskim Institute

Lengthy letter (2 pages), handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva. Jerusalem, 9th

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Letter of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer – Jerusalem, Cheshvan 1947 – On Rabbi Chaim Berlin's Library in His Home, and Otzar HaPoskim Institute

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Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art Jan 27, 2026

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Lengthy letter (2 pages), handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, dean of the Etz Chaim yeshiva. Jerusalem, 9th Cheshvan [November] 1947.

Addressed to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yechezkel, head rabbi of the Slutsk and London Batei Din (and R. Isser Zalman's successor as Rabbi of Slutsk). R. Isser Zalman writes to him of his trip to England to his intimate associate R. Yitzchak Epstein, on behalf of the Otzar HaPoskim institute.

In the letter, R. Isser Zalman mentions his initiative to establish this important project of assembling the views of the poskim on the laws of Even HaEzer. R. Isser Zalman learned the importance of publicizing lesser-known opinions from the well-stocked library of R. Chaim Berlin, Rabbi of Moscow, in his home in Jerusalem, which was formerly R. Chaim Berlin's home. When he suggested this to R. Yitzchak Eizik Herzog, he had the idea of arranging it in a commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, modeled after the Darchei Teshuvah.

R. Isser Zalman stresses the importance of employing rabbis who were Holocaust survivors and lost their family, in order to provide them with a living honorably.

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" – considering him a student who contributes to 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.

[1] leaf, official stationery, written on both sides. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and small tears.

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