Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Letter of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and his Wife Rebbetzin Batsheva – To Father and Father-in-Law Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv – Bnei Brak, Tishrei 1982
Postcard sent to R. Yosef Shalom Elyashuv (Elyashiv), with letters handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Kanievsky and his wife Rebbetzin Batsheva. Bnei Brak, [27th Tishrei, 1982].
In his letter, R. Chaim Kanievsky seeks to clarify the veracity of a ruling reported in R. Yosef Shalom's name disqualifying a lulav ending in a single leaflet, signing his name at the end.
In the margins of R. Chaim's letter, his wife Rebbetzin Batsheva sends her warm regards to all, with her signature. She then adds that she enjoyed her visit with them and that she hopes to meet again soon, signing her name a second time.
The letter was printed along with a facsimile in the periodical Yeshurun (XXVIII, Nisan 2013).
R. Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022), leading rabbi of the present generation, only son of the Steipler Gaon, R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, and preeminent son-in-law of R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
His wife, Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky (1932-2012), eldest daughter of R. Yosef Shalom Kanievsky. The match between the two was concluded upon the advice of the groom's uncle, the Chazon Ish, who attested that as a daughter of a veritable Torah scholar, she was truly suited for him. R. Elyashiv 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.
Postcard. 14.5 cm. 11 lines handwritten and signed by R. Chaim, and about 7 lines handwritten and signed by Rebbetzin Batsheva. Good condition. Stains and postmark stains.