Letter handwritten and signed by the wonder-worker, R. Mordechai Rabbi of Oshmiana. Oshmiana (Ashmyany), 33rd day of the Omer 1898.
Approbation for a book and recommendation for its author, R. Eliyahu Gordon, rabbi of Dogalishok (Naujasis Daugėliškis): "I wish to attest that this great man… is extremely well-versed in Torah, and filled with fear of sin… and now I have seen his wonderful composition… and it is exceptionally beneficial, and very useful even for dayanim… to clarify the practical application of the halachah… and this great rabbi is a Torah leader, and it is therefore appropriate to draw him close, have mercy on him and help him, as is fitting for a Torah scholar of his stature, and may those who act with compassion be treated with mercy… here Oshmiana. Mordechai, who resides in the above community".
R. Mordechai Weizel Rosenblatt – known as R. Mordchele of Oshmiana (1837-1916) served as dayan and rabbi in Antipolye (Antopol), Byten (near Slonim), Karelitz (Karelichy), Oshmiana and Slonim. He authored Hadrat Mordechai. A leader of his generation, outstanding Torah scholar and posek, he was renowned in Lithuania as a kabbalist and wonder-worker. Many flocked to seek his blessings, which were known to be fulfilled. The Chafetz Chaim and other leaders of the generation held him in high regard and
would praise him profusely. His portrait hung in many homes throughout Lithuania, and many wondrous accounts are recorded about him. One such story is known from his own testimony in Igeret HaChalom – a letter he sent R. Pinchas Michael Grossleit of Antipolye, in which he confides in him of several dreams he had, where Mahari ben Lev (a Salonika Torah scholar of the 16th century) appeared to him and commanded him to study his responsa work, to thereby atone for the sin of R. Mordechai's ancestor, who acted disrespectfully to Mahari ben Lev.
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 – for which he received the present approbation), Divrei Eliyahu, Dim'at HaAshukim, Maarchot Yisrael, Yisrael BaAmim. This approbation was printed in Seder Eliyahu (Warsaw, 1932) and Yisrael BaAmim (Vilna, 1914).
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases and wear to folds. Mounted on paper for preservation.

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.

Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten and signed by R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen Pupko, son of R. Yisrael Meir HaKohen author of Chafetz Chaim. [Warsaw], Sivan 1932.
Letter pertaining to the shipping of various books published by the Chafetz Chaim. Addressed to the philanthropist, R. Avraham Meyers [from the United States?], who, as evident from the letter, sold the books of the Chafetz Chaim in his country. Written in the Chafetz Chaim's old age, when his son R. Aryeh Leib (himself over 70 years old at that time) assisted his father in the sale of his books. At the end of the letter, R. Aryeh Leib thanks the recipient for his assistance in selling the books, and for thereby providing his father with livelihood: "…and for his exceptional kindness towards my father… whose entire sustenance in the past year he provided through the sale of his books…". The letter is signed: "Aryeh Leib HaKohen".
R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen Pupko (1861-1939). Outstanding Torah scholar, cherished son and close attendant of the Chafetz Chaim. He was a disciple of his father, of the Beit HaLevi and other Lithuanian Torah scholars. He was a leading Torah scholar in his generation, yet his father dissuaded him from undertaking a rabbinic position. He contributed to the writing of Mishna Berura, and actually composed entire sections of it. Following his father's passing, he published MiKitvei HeChafetz Chaim, biography and selections from his father's lectures.
[1] leaf (written on both sides), official stationery of "Aryeh Leib Kohen Pupko – son of the Chafetz Chaim". 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.

Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten by R. Yehuda Leib Chasman, with his signature: "Y.H.L.". Stutchin (Shchuchyn), 1925.
Addressed to his confidant R. Yosef Shub, director of the Vaad HaYeshivot office in Vilna. The letter contains various directives concerning Vaad HaYeshivot matters, which were under the jurisdiction of R. Yehuda Leib Chasman, and regarding the Orthodox newspaper Vort, published in Vilna by R. Yosef Shub. R. Leib suggests to set up three different funds, one for boys' schools, one for Beit Yaakov, and one for the Vaad HaYeshivot. He suggests that in this way, the communal workers "won't shove their colleagues aside, since now everyone wants to bring the entire Torah under his wings, and for their great love, they will get crushed in their zealousness; while if there were three special funds, the Jewish people when solicited would donate to each of them. Let's hope that men of insight will be found, to arrange these great matters".
R. Yehuda Leib Chasman (1869-1935), a leading Torah scholar of his times, was the study partner and friend of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in their native city of Iwye. A student of the Kelm Beit HaTalmud, he served as mashgiach of the Telshe yeshiva (Telšiai) during the time of R. Shimon Shkop. From 1909, he served as rabbi of Shchuchyn, and established there a Yeshiva Gedola which was closed at the outbreak of World War I. After the war, with the ensuing destruction of Torah institutes and communities, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Vaad HaYeshivot in Vilna. He was a confidant of the heads of the Vaad: R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, the Chafetz Chaim and R. Shimon Shkop. In 1927, the Alter of Slabodka (who dubbed him "the genius in ethics") called him to succeed him as mashgiach of his yeshiva in Hebron, a position he held until his death in Cheshvan 1935. His Torah novellae were published in his book Minchat Yehuda and his discourses were printed by his leading disciples in the three volumes of Or Yahel.
[1] leaf (written on both sides, approx. 40 lines). Approx. 17 cm. Good condition.