Letter (15 lines) handwritten by the Chafetz Chaim and with his full signature: "Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, author of Chafetz Chaim". [Radin (Raduń)], Elul 1888.
Letter of recommendation for a diligent yeshiva student of the Eishishok yeshiva, whom the Chafetz Chaim was acquainted with: "Behold, I have long known the young man Yosef, who is outstanding in Torah and fear of G-d and is exceptionally proficient. He has been learning diligently in nearby Eishishok (Eišiškės) for several years, and I attest to his great value, he toiled and delved in Torah study with his entire being, and he is renowned in this milieu for his tremendous diligence and erudition…".
The Chafetz Chaim recommends to draw him close, support him and provide him with adequate sustenance, so that he may continue delving in his Torah studies. The letter ends with the Chafetz Chaim's blessings for those who support this student.
Eishishok was home to a famous and prestigious Kibbutz yeshiva. It attracted the finest, most talented students, who later became the leading Torah scholars of the generation. The townspeople undertook to provide for all the students' needs, refusing to share this merit with other towns. The Chafetz Chaim, who lived in Radin, adjacent to Eishishok, would spend varying lengths of time there, learning alongside the foremost Torah scholars in the yeshiva. The identity of this diligent student R. Yosef is uncertain, yet it appears to be R. Yosef Shimshelevich of Karelitz (Karelichy; 1864-1934), a Torah scholar renowned for his diligence and erudition, who studied for close to ten years in Eishishok, until ca. 1888. He later studied in Radin, where he was closely associated with the Chafetz Chaim, and after a short period, he went to study under the Saba of Kelm and in the Kollel HaPrushim of R. Yitzchal Elchanan in Kovno. He immigrated to Jerusalem in the lifetime of R. Shmuel Salant, and served as examiner in the Etz Chaim yeshiva (see article in his memory: HaShakdan HaOlami by R. Meir Stolevitz, serialized in the HaYesod weekly, Tel Aviv, 22nd Tammuz/Av 1934. This article was recently published in Tevunot, II, Nissan 2018, pp. 801-804). R. Meir Stolevitz relates in his article that R. Yosef came to Eishishok at the young age of 15, yet amazed the entire yeshiva with his diligence, as he delved in his studies for no less than 18 hours a day. R. Yosef would review his learning hundreds of times; he knew the entire Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud by heart, was proficient in the Rambam, Tur, Shulchan Aruch and their commentaries, and was one of the only students who could quote verbatim any passage of the Talmud and halachic literature.
R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin (1837-1933), leader of the Jewish people, was renowned by the name of his first book – Chafetz Chaim. He founded the Radin yeshiva and authored numerous halachic and ethical works: Mishna Berura, Shemirat HaLashon, Ahavat Chesed, and dozens more. This letter is from his early years, when he shied away from publicity and did not issue open letters (he originally published his book Chafetz Chaim anonymously, and only later revealed the name of the author), yet in honor of this diligent scholar, the Chafetz Chaim departed from his standard practice and wrote him a letter of recommendation with his full signature: "Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin, author of Chafetz Chaim".
[1] double leaf. 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Wear and tears (repaired with paper, affecting text in several places). Stains.
This letter was not published in Michtavei HaChafetz Chaim.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, eve of Sukkot, Tishrei 1930.
Addressed to the heads of the Helsingfors community (Helsinki, capital of Finland), regarding the appointment of a rabbi for their city. R. Chaim Ozer writes that he heard that the post of rabbi is vacant in their city, and asks them to inform him what the situation is "and what their requirements are for the spiritual director of their city… to direct them along the correct path and regarding proper actions, to lead their community with wisdom and understanding, in peace and equity". R. Chaim Ozer concludes his letter with blessings: "And may G-d spread over them and the entire Jewish people, a canopy of peace… One who revers and respects them, Chaim Ozer Grodzenski".
R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (1863-1940) was a foremost rabbi of his generation and leader of the entire 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, in place of his father-in-law R. Eliyahu Eliezer Grodnansky 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 in the Diaspora for close to fifty years. He was involved in communal matters locally and in other countries, and this letter discloses that even the heads of the Finland community were awaiting his utterance to appoint a rabbi for their community.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 26.5 cm. Approx. 7 autograph lines and signature. Good-fair condition. Wear and folding marks.

Two letters from R. Elchanan Wasserman and his son R. Naftali Wasserman in Baranovich (Baranavichy), addressed to R. David Potash in Tel Aviv. Cheshvan 1936.
In the first letter dated "Tuesday evening, Parashat Lech Lecha, 5th Cheshvan 1936", R. Naftali replies on behalf of his father to a letter from R. David dated 25th Tishrei: "…and behold, my father has not yet returned from his journey, he will return please G-d in two weeks". The letter is signed: "Naftali son of R. E.".
The second letter is handwritten and signed by R. Elchanan, and was written in Baranovich on "Thursday evening, Erev Shabbat Chayei Sara" (presumably also in Cheshvan 1936, approximately two weeks after the first letter). R. Elchanan writes: "Yesterday I returned from my trip abroad – in Lithuania – after remaining there for close to three months, and I was able to collect a sum of money for the yeshiva, but of what value is it compared to our heavy debts". Further in the letter, R. Elchanan relates to the distribution of his book Kovetz He'arot on Yevamot (Piotrkow, 1936): "Regarding the books, I wrote to R. Eliyahu Weiner in Jerusalem… and I requested that he make every effort to sell them to Torah scholars, at least to those capable of understanding the Aggadah section of the book".
R. Elchanan concludes the letter by blessing R. David: "His friend, who reveres and honors him for his elevated stature, and blesses him and all those who accompany him, with a life of happiness, blessing and ultimate good… Elchanan Bunem Wasserman".
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941) was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe yeshiva and prominent disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and dean in the Brisk (Brest) yeshiva and in other places. During WWI, at the behest of the Chafetz Chaim, he established a yeshiva in Smilavichy (Minsk province, today Belarus), and R. David Potash, then one of the wealthiest people in Russia, was a leading supporter of the yeshiva. After the war, R. Elchanan founded Yeshivat Ohel Torah in Baranovich.
A renowned Torah scholar and a foremost yeshiva dean in Lithuania, he represented the Chafetz Chaim and R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael. He composed many essays on Jewish ideology which were later published in his book Ikveta DeMeshicha, in which he expressed the Torah stance of his teacher the Chafetz Chaim on Zionist nationalism and the spiritual state of the Jewish people. During the Holocaust, he was deported to the Kovno (Kaunas) ghetto, and was later murdered in the Seventh Fort, while studying the laws of Kiddush HaShem. His teachings and lectures were published in the following books: Kovetz Shiurim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon R. Elchanan Wasserman and others. His approach in learning and his books serve until this day as the basis of intensive yeshiva study in the Torah world.
Following the passing of his teacher, the Chafetz Chaim, R. Elchanan Wasserman would spend Elul and the High Holidays every year in the Beit HaTalmud of Kelm (Kelmė), Lithuania, and this is was presumably the three-month stay in Lithuania R. Elchanan referred to in the letter (in the interwar period, crossing the border from Baranovich, Poland, to Kelm, Lithuania, was complex, since Lithuania maintained hostile relations with Poland, which had conquered large parts of it).
His son, R. Naftali Beinush Wasserman (1914-perished in the Holocaust Cheshvan 1941), was amongst the most diligent students in Lithuanian yeshivot. He studied under his father, and under R. Shimon Shkop. He later attended the Mir yeshiva, where he was one of the leading students, with long lines of young Torah scholars queuing up to discuss their studies with him. When his father would absent himself from the yeshiva for long periods of time, he would call upon his son, the student R. Naftali Beinush, to substitute him in delivering lectures to the highest class of yeshiva students, and in managing the yeshiva. He got married in the summer of 1940, during the Holocaust, while the yeshiva was exiled in Lithuania. He was confined together with his father in the Kovno ghetto, where the latter taught him to recite the blessing of Kiddush HaShem according to the text recorded in book of the Shelah, as he had been taught by the Chafetz Chaim (Or Elchanan, II, p. 280). He perished in the Holocaust together with his young wife on 9th Cheshvan 1941. Remnants of his novellae were published in the book of his illustrious father, and in the books of his close friend, R. Shmuel Rosovsky.
Two postcards, with the official heading of the "Metivta Rabta 'Ohel Torah' Baranovich (Poland)". Approx. 10X14.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases. Postage stamps removed.

Postcard, letter handwritten and signed by R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz author of Chazon Ish, with an additional letter in Yiddish. Vilna (Vilnius), Iyar 1933.
The letter was sent to Baranovich (Baranavichy), to the nephew of the Chazon Ish "My nephew R. Sh." (R. Shemaryahu Greineman, who was studying at that time in the Baranovich yeshiva). The second letter in Yiddish is not signed, though it was presumably written by the sister of the Chazon Ish, Rebbetzin Tzivia Greineman – mother of R. Shemaryahu.
The Chazon Ish urges him to record Torah novellae, and requests that he send him thoughts "being discussed in the Beit Midrash". The Chazon Ish praises the previous letter he received from him and writes: "The treatise you wrote regarding the opinions of the Rishonim on Kefiat Binyan Kotel, was very well written, and write often in this format. One who seeks your wellbeing, Ish. Monday, 41st day of the Omer (26th Iyar) 1933".
In her letter, the mother tells her son about his two younger brothers Chaim and David, who will grow up and also attend the yeshiva. She reports that they are currently studying Gemara with an older student, and reviewing Mishnayot to be tested on them by heart (the letter relates to his brothers, the twins Chaim and David Greineman, who were at that time 6 years old, and were known for their exceptional capacities).
R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (1879-1953), author of Chazon Ish, a foremost scholar in Halacha and Jewish philosophy in our generations. A preeminent Torah scholar and hidden righteous man, his first book Chazon Ish was published in 1911 anonymously, and he thereafter became known under that title. In his great modesty, he would sign with his acronym only: "Ish". Following WWI, he resided in Vilna for several years, leaving in Tammuz 1933 (two months after writing this letter) for Eretz Israel, where he became recognized as the leading Torah authority, and stood at the helm of the resurrection of the Torah world in our generation.
Postcard. Approx. 10X15 cm. Good condition. Address of sender: R. Shmuel Greineman, 3 Szopena St. [Vilna].

Letter handwritten, stamped and signed by the Steipler – R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, dean of the Beit-Yosef Novardok yeshiva in Bnei Brak, addressed to R. Yisrael Taussig – rabbi of Mattersdorf (Mattersburg), author of Beit Yisrael. Bnei Brak, Shevat 1940.
The Steipler writes to R. Yisrael Taussig regarding his son, Yechezkel Taussig, a student in his yeshiva, extolling his virtues in effusive terms: "I would like to attest and apprise regarding his son, who is prominent in Torah and fear of G-d, a diligent and profound student, with exemplary qualities and character traits… R. Yechezkel. I certify that he is outstanding in his studies, and we are very satisfied with him, may the likes of him abound in the Jewish people".
The Steipler continues to relate in distress of an embarrassing prank perpetrated on the son of R. Taussig by several foolish and reckless youths, who publicized a defamatory flyer against him, bearing the yeshiva stamp, while in reality having no connection to the yeshiva whatsoever: "And behold, three foolish and reckless boys, who are not connected to the yeshiva in any way, circulated a fraudulent flyer against him, bearing the yeshiva stamp, which they obtained from an irresponsible person… and all with the intent of causing anguish to his illustrious son… and in order to appease him and his son, I am writing these lines, to inform him not to pay any attention to this at all, and his son's presence is vital to the yeshiva, since he is the driving force behind the intensive, in-depth learning… I hereby sign with a pained heart over the insult to the Torah and those who learn it, Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, dean and director of this yeshiva".
R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (1899-1985), an extraordinary Torah leader of the past generation. He was known as the Steipler, an appellation derived from his hometown Hornostaipil, Ukraine. A foremost student of the Novardok yeshivot in Ukraine and Poland, he was reputed as one of the most diligent and scholarly students in the yeshiva world. Following his marriage to the sister of the Chazon Ish, he was appointed dean of the Novardok yeshiva in Pinsk, and in 1934, he immigrated to Eretz Israel to serve as dean of the Beit-Yosef Novardok yeshiva in Bnei Brak. For many years, he lived in Bnei Brak in the same house as his brother-in-law, the Chazon Ish. After the yeshiva shut down, he resumed his studies in Kollel Chazon Ish and in his home, and authored the Kehillot Yaakov series on most Talmudic topics and tractates. He was known as a wonder-worker who benefitted from Divine Inspiration, and many sought his blessings and counsel.
Recipient of the letter: R. Yisrael Taussig (1889-Tishrei 1967), known in Jerusalem as "the rabbi from Mattersdorf". A Hungarian rabbi, he served as dayan and posek in Mattersdorf. Following his immigration to Eretz Israel, he settled in Batei Ungarin where he served as rabbi of the neighborhood. His teachings and essays were published in the Beit Yisrael series.
R. Yechezkel Taussig (1917-1972), whose virtues the Steipler extols in this letter, was the author of Tiferet Yechezkel. He devoted his life to Torah study in holiness and purity, and edified many prominent and G-d fearing disciples. He was the son-in-law of R. Shmuel Tefillinski author of Kuntres HaTzavaa. He studied in Hungarian yeshivot, and following his immigration to Eretz Israel together with his parents, in the Beit-Yosef Novardok yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He later attended the Shevet Sofer – Pressburg yeshiva, which was established by the rabbi of Pressburg, who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1940.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 29.5 cm. Approx. 20 autograph lines. Good condition. Creases and folding marks. Glue remnants on verso (the letter was apparently previously mounted in an album or frame).