Lot 292
Four Letters from Leading Lithuanian Torah Scholars – 1898-1912
Four letters from leading Lithuanian Torah scholars – letters of recommendation for R. Eliyahu Gordon, and approbations for his books:
• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabinowitz Rabbi of Kovno (Kaunas; son and successor of R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor). Kovno, Tammuz 1898.
• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Yehuda Sosnitzer Rabbi of Smorgon (Smarhon'). Smorgon, Elul 1898.
• Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Zalman Sender Shapiro Rabbi of Krinik (Krynki). Tevet (December) 1911.
• Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Yehoshua Gutschechter, a rabbi of Warsaw. Warsaw, Shevat 1912.
R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Litwin-Sosnitzer, author of Shaarei De'ah (1840-1903). An outstanding Torah scholar in Lithuania, he also served as rabbi in Galicia. Born in Babruysk, he settled after his marriage in Sosnytsia, which earned him the appellation of "the Sosnitzer Ilu'i". In 1871, he was appointed head of Beit Din and yeshiva dean in Brody, in place of R. Shlomo Kluger. In 1886, he returned to Lithuania to serve as rabbi and head of the kibbutz in Smorgon. (see his biography by R. Y. Mondschein, in the foreword to Responsa Shaarei De'ah, Jerusalem 2012 edition).
R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabinowitz (1848-1910), eldest son of R. Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, rabbi of Kovno. He served as rabbi in Latvia and in Vilna. Following his father's passing, he succeeded him as rabbi of Kovno and head of the local Kollel. He was one of the leaders of Lithuanian Jewry, and a prominent rabbi in his generation.
R. Shlomo Zalman Sender Kahana-Shapiro (1851-1923), an exceptional Lithuanian Torah scholar. He was a descendant of R. Chaim of Volozhin, and childhood companion of his relative R. Chaim of Brisk. In 1885, he was appointed rabbi of Malech, where he established the Anaf Etz Chaim yeshiva (a branch of the Volozhin yeshiva). In 1903, he went to serve as rabbi of Krinik. He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1921. His novellae were published in the two volumes of Chiddushei R. Zalman Sender (Machon Yerushalayim, 1993). His sons were R. Avraham Dov Ber Kahana-Shapiro Rabbi of Kovno, author of Devar Avraham; and R. Yaakov Kahana-Shapiro author of Neot Yaakov.
R. Chaim Yehoshua Gutschechter (1860-1942), a leading Polish rabbi and senior posek in Warsaw (for over 50 years). Although he was a Chassid of Ostrovtza and Amshinov, in Warsaw he was considered a "litvak", since he was a disciple of the Netziv in the Volozhin yeshiva. He was renowned for his expertise in Torah litigations, and the Warsaw merchants often came to settle their disputes before him (see: Eleh Ezkera, VI, pp. 206-210; Sefer HaZikaron LehaGaon R. Y.Y. Frankel, pp. 57-58; Ishim UKehilot, pp. 429-430).
The recipient of the letter, R. Eliyahu Gordon (1865-1932), was a descendant of R. Avraham, brother of the Gaon of Vilna. He held rabbinic positions in Lithuania and the United States for over forty years. He served as rabbi of various Lithuanian towns, and later as rabbi and posek in the Shnipishok (Šnipiškės) suburb of Vilna. During WWI, he was the rabbi of the Grand Synagogue of Vilna. In 1924, he immigrated to the United States, where he served as rabbi in New York. He authored many halachic and homiletic books: Seder Eliyahu (on Yoreh De'ah), Divrei Eliyahu, Dim'at HaAshukim, Maarchot Yisrael, Yisrael BaAmim. These approbations were printed in Seder Eliyahu (Warsaw, 1932) and Yisrael BaAmim (Vilna, 1914).
4 letters. Size and condition vary. Overall good to good-fair condition.
