Lot 321
Interesting Letters By Rabbi Hirshel Levitan and Rabbi Yitzchak Maltzen – Disciples of Rabbi Yisrael of Salant
Double leaf, with two interesting letters by the disciples of Rabbi Yisrael of Salant, who lived in Jerusalem.
· Long autograph letter signed by Rabbi "Eliezer Zvi Levitan", to Rabbi Shraga Meir Lazerovitz of London and Kelm. Jerusalem, Erev Shabbat Nachamu [16th of Av], August 8, 1914. the letter was written during the week of the outbreak of World War I. Included in the letter is a description of the situation in Jerusalem: "the situation is not calm here is Jerusalem due to the dreadful war currently taking place. Telegrams describing the war situation have not been delivered lest the prices escalate. Already, living expenses have risen unbearably".
· On the second leaf: Another autograph letter signed by Rabbi "Yitzchak Meltzen", about the sale of books. He relates that his journey from Tiberias to Jerusalem was very difficult and "that the seashores are locked". He concludes with the blessing that "G-d should fulfill all his heart's desires".
the great scholar and tsaddik Rabbi Eliezer Zvi Levitan, known by the name of Rabbi Hirshel (1840-1916), born in Kovna was a disciple of Rabbi Ya'akov Yosef and of his teacher Rabbi Yisrael of Salant. In 1863 he founded "Rabbi Hershel's Yeshiva" in Slabodka, from which the great Slabodka Yeshiva was established in 1880 by Rabbi Natan Zvi Finkel who had formerly served as dean of Rabbi Hershel's Yeshiva. Rabbi Levitan was very active in spreading Torah and mussar teachings and in communal activities, as well as helping individual Jews. He instituted yeshivot and charity and chesed organizations in many communities. After immigrating to Jerusalem in 1892, he founded a yeshiva in the Giv'at Sha'ul neighborhood and initiated additional Torah classes. Despite his advanced age, he traveled around Jerusalem on his donkey to deliver lectures in various places. See more in Tenuat HaMusar, Vol. Two, pp. 330-343.
Rabbi Yitzchak Meltzen (1854-Tishrei 1916, Otzar HaRabanim 10821) was born in Slutsk to his father Rabbi Shmuel, author of Even Shlomo – teachings of the Vilna Gaon. Exceptionally diligent and proficient in Torah knowledge. Disciple of Rabbi Yisrael of Salant who once attested that the books of the Talmud are unnecessary in the presence of Rabbi Yitzchak (who knows them by heart). In 1891, he was appointed Rabbi in Kelm and later taught in the Radin Yeshiva. He was among the Vilna Gaon’s disciples who wrote his teachings in revealed and hidden parts of the Torah and was involved in publishing kabbalistic books and the Vilna Gaon’s books (Imrei Noam) with Rabbi Aryeh Leib Lipkin Av Beit Din of Kretinga and with Rabbi Shraga Meir Leizerovitch. In 1906, he immigrated to Jerusalem. He wrote halacha and mussar books: Siddur HaGra Ishei Israel, Azharat Shabbat, Shvitat Shabbat, Siach Yitzchak etc. See more in Tenu’at HaMussar Vol. 2 pp. 311-318.
Recipient of the letters: Rabbi Shraga Meir Leizerovitch (1840-1929) born in Kelm, tsaddik and Kabbalist close to Rebbe Leib’ly Chassid of Kelm. He was a childhood companion and close to great Lithuanian Kabbalists (the Leshem, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Lipkin of Kretinga, Rabbi Aharon Shlomo Maharil, etc.) and was a foremost disciple of Rabbi Yisrael of Salant. In c. 1890, he immigrated to England and served many years in the Chevrat Shas rabbinate. In his later years he immigrated to Jerusalem.
3 written pages, 21 cm. thin paper, fair condition, dryness stains and wear at top of leaves.
