Interesting historic letter, handwritten and signed by Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky, author of Netivot Shalom. Addressed to his future brother-in-law, R. Zelig Weinberg. Baranovich (Baranavichy), Chanukah 1933.
The letter was written by the Netivot Shalom in Baranovich, during his engagement period, and is addressed to his future brother-in-law, R. Zelig Weinberg in Tiberias. In his letter, the Netivot Shalom discusses the dispute which arose over the position of his close friend, the young rebbe of Slonim, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua Weinberg ("The Young Rebbe"), following the passing of the Beit Avraham (see below).
To the best of our knowledge, this letter was never published.
At the beginning of the letter, the Netivot Shalom reports that the Chassidim were satisfied with the Chanukah candle lighting ceremonies of Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua, the new rebbe; that a date has not yet been set for the rebbe's wedding, and that they don't know yet how long Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua will live near his father-in-law in Alexander. Further in the letter, the Netivot Shalom praises the leaders of the Slonim community in Tiberias, who widely distributed the letter of R. Moshe Kliers Rabbi of Tiberias, in which he expresses his support for the appointment of R. Shlomo David Yehoshua as rebbe. The Netivot Shalom stresses that R. Moshe Kliers is highly regarded by the Chassidim in Europe. The letter then describes how the Chassidim's concerns that R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel ("Avreimel of Warsaw") would take over the leadership of Slonim Chassidut were in vain.
Rebbe Shalom Noach Berezovsky, author of Netivot Shalom (1911-2000), a leading rebbe in our times, head of the Chinuch HaAtzmai and Vaad HaYeshivot, member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Yisrael. He was a close disciple of the Beit Avraham, rebbe of Slonim, and of R. Moshe Minder; and was the son-in-law of the Birkat Avraham, rebbe of Slonim. He immigrated from Baranovich to Jerusalem in Adar 1935, and settled in Tiberias. In 1940, he moved to Tel Aviv, where he lectured in the Achei Temimim Chabad yeshiva. In 1942, he established the Beit Avraham – Slonim yeshiva in Jerusalem, which he headed for forty years. In 1981, he was appointed rebbe of Slonim. He was famous for his clear, well-organized teachings on Chassidut and current matters, and was renowned for his exceptional wisdom, his pure character traits and primarily as a master educator who made a personal impact on each of his disciples. His lectures on the tractates of Orders Nashim and Nezikin were published in the Netivot Shalom and Shiurei Netivot Shalom series. He is most widely recognized for the Netivot Shalom series, 7 parts, on Chassidic thought and worship of G-d – clear, easy to understand books which were distributed in hundreds of thousands of copies and quickly became Chassidic best-sellers.
[2] leaves. 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.

The Dispute in the Slonim Chassidut, Following the Passing of the Beit Avraham
The two sons of the second rebbe of Slonim, R. Shmuel Weinberg (author of Divrei Shmuel, 1850-1916, see item 113), were R. Yissachar Leib (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 466-467), and R. Avraham (the Beit Avraham, 1884-1933). After the passing of their father, both sons were appointed rebbe. The older son, R. Yissachar Leib, conducted his court in Slonim, while the younger son, the Beit Avraham, held his court first in Białystok, and later in Baranovich (Baranavichy). The vast majority of Chassidim followed the Beit Avraham. The brothers shared a close friendship, and sometimes even led the Tish together, side by side.
Rebbe Yissachar Leib passed away on 28th Nissan 1928, leaving behind a son, R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel (later rebbe of Slonim-Tel Aviv; 1898-1978, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 95-96). His brother, the Beit Avraham passed away suddenly, at the age of 49, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1933, leaving behind his only son R. Shlomo David Yehoshua (1913-1944). When R. Yissachar Leib passed away, his son refused to take his place as rebbe of Slonim, and only in 1933, after the passing of his uncle the Beit Avraham, did he agree to serve as rebbe. His followers did not suffice with this, and wished to "annex" the Baranovich court – the Chassidim of the Beit Avraham. However, most of the Chassidim of the Beit Avraham categorically refused to accept R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel as their rebbe, and wished the son of their teacher the Beit Avraham, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua, to succeed him. The latter, being only 20 years of age and unmarried, refused to succeed his father. Thus the Baranovich court was left torn and divided, without a unanimous candidate to lead the Chassidut.
The leaders of Slonim Chassidut in Eretz Israel – R. Moshe Kliers Rabbi of Tiberias, author of Torat HaAretz; R. Mordechai Chaim Slonim (R. Mottel) and the Birkat Avraham came to the rescue of the Slonim Chassidim in Baranovich with firm, decisive letters. In these letters, they command and entreat R. Shlomo David Yehoshua to take the leadership of the dynasty into his hands, despite his young age. Likewise, they sent letters to the Chassidim in Europe in which they publicized their opinion – that they accept only the young R. Shlomo David Yehoshua as rebbe. The Birkat Avraham (then a leader of the Slonim Chassidut in Tiberias) was sent to Baranovich, to try and organize the transfer of the leadership to R. Shlomo David Yehoshua and to settle the dispute.
On 12th Sivan 1933, R. Shlomo David Yehoshua was appointed rebbe of Slonim. On 9th Tammuz 1933, a match was arranged between him and Rebbetzin Sima, daughter of Rebbe Yitzchak Menachem Mendel Danziger – the Akedat Yitzchak of Alexander, and on 6th Adar 1934, the wedding was held. For two years, Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua lived in Alexander (Aleksandrów Łódzki), and he then returned to Baranovich, where he led his Chassidim until he was murdered by the Nazis (on 6th Cheshvan 1943 in the Koldichevo camp).
The present letter was written by the Netivot Shalom, close friend and study partner of Rebbe Shlomo David Yehoshua, during the time of his engagement with Rebbetzin Chava Miriam, daughter of the Birkat Avraham. The match was arranged by his prime teacher, the Beit Avraham, during his visit to Eretz Israel in winter 1933. The Netivot Shalom himself immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1935, and his wedding took place on 17th Adar 1935. This letter was written by the Netivot Shalom on Zot Chanukah 1933, in Baranovich.
(Sources: Nachalei Emunah, I, p. 21; 19, pp. 41-61; Otzar Erchei HaTorah – BeOhalei Yissachar, I, foreword, pp. 7-10; the present letter).