Letter handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein, dean of the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Hebron. Jerusalem, Shevat 1933.
Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, who was serving as rabbi of the Machazikei HaDat community in London, requesting assistance for the yeshiva's emissary R. Yitzchak Greenblatt, who traveled to London for the yeshiva.
R. Moshe Mordechai's letter describes the high standard of study in the Hebron yeshiva and its prestige, attracting students from all over the world to study with dedication.

R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein (1866-1933), a leading yeshiva dean and Torah scholar in his generation. Studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, served as dean of the Knesset Yisrael yeshiva in Slabodka from its beginning, and later as Rabbi of Slabodka; also established a network of Torah schools throughout Lithuania. In 1925 he sent a group of his disciples to Eretz Israel to found the Hebron branch of the yeshiva, which moved to Jerusalem after the 1929 Hebron massacre. R. Moshe Mordechai headed both yeshivas, in Lithuania and Eretz Israel.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 27.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.

The present letter was published with a facsimile in Melech BeYofyo, p. 265.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Leaf (2 written pages) handwritten by R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, the Chazon Ish – novellae on the laws of shechitah and covering of the blood on festivals. [Eretz Israel, ca. 1930s-1940s].

R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (1879-1953), author of the Chazon Ish, a foremost scholar in Halachah and Jewish thought in our times. A preeminent Torah authority and hidden tzaddik, his first book Chazon Ish was published in 1911 anonymously; since then he has been known by the name of his book. He would modestly sign his name with his initials only: "Ish". After World War I, during which he fled to Belarus, he returned in 1920 to Lithuania and lived for several years in Vilna. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1933, where he became recognized as the leading Torah authority, and stood at the helm of the renaissance of the Torah world in our generation. He authored and published numerous volumes of Chazon Ish, which were written with great toil and in-depth study, covering nearly all Talmudic topics

[1] leaf. 23 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Small open tear at top of leaf, affecting leaf number in header.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

A long letter handwritten and signed by the Brisker Rav, R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik. Jerusalem, Tevet 1947.

Sent to London, to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din, in response to Rabbi Abramsky's letter discussing Torah novellae on Talmudic topics:
"Many blessings to my dear friend... R. Yechezkel Abramsky, rabbi in London... Your letter reached me with the Torah novellae. To tell the truth, I don't know what Your Honor was uncertain about. I greatly enjoyed all the ideas, both new and familiar to me, and it seems to me that the matters are clear and lucid, and I see no room for doubt or hesitation, according to my poor understanding and limited knowledge of these matters..."
The Brisker Rav further writes about his great acquiescence to the teachings he heard from his father, R. Chaim, the Grach: "It often happens to me as well that I now have doubts about matters that I once considered absolutely clear, and to tell the truth, in such cases I always prefer my judgment from when I was close to the source of life and warmed myself by the light of my father, the pious Gaon of blessed memory, when all the reasoning was refined and purified and not affected by rust from a world full of ignoramuses who cast doubt on fundamental concepts on which everything depends…".
He concludes the letter with a blessing: "And blessings of all good to Your Honor. Your friend who esteems and honors you, who seeks your welfare always, with all his heart and soul, Yitzchak Ze'ev son of my father and teacher the pious Gaon… Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik of blessed memory".

R. Yitzchak Ze'ev HaLevi Soloveitchik – the Brisker Rav (1887-1959), son of R. Chaim HaLevi of Brisk, and grandson of the Beit HaLevi. Already in his father's lifetime, at a young age, he was considered one of the prominent leaders of the generation. In 1919 (at the age of 32), he succeeded his forefathers as rabbi of Brisk, and with his Torah authority he directed all Jewish matters in Brisk and the surroundings.

He survived the Holocaust together with some of his children and immigrated to Jerusalem. His tremendous authority was recognized throughout the Torah world, whether in Eretz Israel or abroad. He authored Chiddushei Maran Riz HaLevi on the Rambam and the Torah. His orally transmitted novellae were published in the Chiddushei HaGriz series. Until this day, his teachings serve as the basis of profound Torah study in yeshivot, and his views direct the Torah outlook and leadership of large parts of Orthodox Jewry. He was famous for posterity for his outstanding fear of G-d and for his zealousness for the absolute truth.

The recipient of the letter, R. Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was a close disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk and a close friend of his son R. Yitzchak Ze'ev. Shortly after his marriage, he traveled to Brisk to study Torah from R. Chaim ca. 1910 (upon the advice of his father-in-law R. Israel Yehonatan Yerushalimsky, who was a disciple of R. Chaim from the Volozhin period) and stayed in his presence for about four months, from then on cleaving to his teachings and ways for the rest of his life.
During his tenure as rabbi of Smilovich, he would travel for extended periods to his teacher R. Chaim who was then staying in Minsk, and merited to clarify various topics with him. R. Yechezkel would often say about his teacher R. Chaim's approach to study: "R. Chaim immediately approached the heart of the topic". R. Chaim greatly valued the wisdom and understanding of his disciple, and once wrote to him in a letter: "We are friends who love each other" (Melech BeYofyo, p. 95).
During those times, R. Abramsky formed a deep friendship with his teacher's son R. Yitzchak Ze'ev (R. Velvel), maintaining close ties and extensive correspondence with him for some fifty years. Chiddushei Maran R.Y.Z. HaLevi contains excerpts of their Torah discussions and correspondence (some of which mention R. Abramsky by name). During their time in Jerusalem (after R. Abramsky immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1951), they would often meet to study Torah together and discuss communal matters.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. Approx. 22.5 cm. Very good condition. Folding marks.

This letter was reprinted in the book Melech BeYofyo, Jerusalem, 2004, p. 94; and in the books Igrot Maran Riz Halevi, Jerusalem 2008, letter 123, and "Yalkut Michtavim from Maran HaGryz of Brisk", Jerusalem, 2010, letter 20.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Autograph Letter, Signed by Rabbi Isser Zalman Melzer, dean of the "Etz Chaim" Yeshivah. Jerusalem, 1937.
Sent to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beit Din. A letter of recommendation for his student traveling to London, Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Levin (son of the "Jerusalem Tzaddik" Rabbi Aryeh Levin, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Levin of England): "My beloved and cherished student, the eminent Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Levin, is traveling to your camp. He has been a tremendous prodigy since his youth, and was my student in our yeshiva. Later, his soul yearned to exile himself to a place of Torah, and he traveled to Poland on my advice to his relative, the great Gaon and Tzaddik, Baruch Dov Leibowitz, who took special care of him at my request and studied with him privately for two years. Thank God, he succeeded wonderfully, and his excellent book 'Cheil HaMikdash' testifies to his great powers of depth and reasoning..."
At the bottom of the letter, Rabbi Isser Zalman adds a few lines, further praising Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Levin and his righteous father R. Aryeh Levin: "I would like to add that since he returned from his teacher, R. Baruch Dov Leibowitz, he has not left my side, and all the novellae he published were discussed with me… I am confident you will fulfill my request."

R. Isser Zalman Melzer (1870-1954), author of "Even Ha'Ezel". One of the greatest Gaonim of Lithuania and Jerusalem. Student of the Netziv and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk at the Volozhin Yeshiva. Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Slutsk. Immigrated to Jerusalem in 1924 and was appointed Rosh Mesivta at the "Etz Chaim" Yeshiva. One of the leaders of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Father-in-law of R. Aharon Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Kletzk and Lakewood (who headed the "Independent Education" system).

The subject of the letter, rabbi Chaim Yaakov Levin (1911-1997), rabbi in the USA and Israel. Rabbi of Seattle, Jersey City and Pardes Chana. An extraordinary and humble genius who concealed his ways despite being one of the greatest Torah scholars of his generation. From his childhood, he stood out for his sharpness and superior talents, with quick perception and an exceptional memory, and was the "delight" of Jerusalem's great rabbis. He studied at the "Etz Chaim" Yeshiva in Jerusalem and was considered the best of the yeshiva's students. In 1931, he traveled abroad to study at the Kaminetz Yeshiva under R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz (who had been the teacher and rabbi of his father, R. Aryeh Levin, during his studies at the Hlusk Yeshiva). At the Kaminetz Yeshiva, he studied for more than two years, where he was especially cherished by the Rosh Yeshiva, who would study with him for many hours in chavruta and prepare the daily lesson with him. During that time, R. Chaim Yaakov would send letters to his father with notes from the lessons he heard from his teacher R. Baruch Ber, especially novellae he heard "from the words of our teacher, the preeminent Torah scholar R. Chaim Soloveitchik of blessed memory". During his studies at the yeshiva in Kaminetz, he began writing his first book "Cheil HaMikdash" on matters of Kodashim, mentioned inpresent letter. When Rabbi Chaim Yaakov returned to Israel, his teacher Rabbi Isser Zalman wrote a letter to his friend Rabbi Baruch Ber expressing his amazement at his progress "during the years under his wing". Among other things, R. Isser Zalman wrote to Rabbi Baruch Ber: "...he became your distinguished student and received the straight and deep way of learning. What can I say to my friend, I express my deep gratitude for his education and influence on him, as I found much more in him than I expected. He has completely changed, as before his excellence was only in speed, straightness and memory, but with Your Honor he received much of the way of depth, and I saw in his notebook novellae on Kodashim with great depth, and when I spoke with him I saw that he is full of Your Honor's foundations..." (Yeshurun, vol. 30, p. 478).
After his marriage to Rebbetzin Shulamit, daughter of R. Yehuda Leib HaLevi Levin of the rabbis of London, he settled in Jerusalem and gave lectures at the "Etz Chaim" Yeshiva from 1935 to 1937. In 1937 he traveled to London and after a period immigrated to the USA, where he served as a rabbi and taught Torah in Seattle and Jersey City. When his uncle, R. Tzvi Pesach Frank, passed away, he was offered the position of R. of Jerusalem, but he humbly declined.
Only in 1970 did he return to Israel and was appointed Rabbi of Pardes Chana. See his detailed biography in the memorial section dedicated to him, printed in "Yeshurun" (vol. 30, Jerusalem, 2014, "Vayechi Yaakov" section, pp. 191-536).

[1] leaf. Official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Creases and tears at margins, affecting text.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yehoshua Zimbalist of Grodno, rabbi and rosh yeshiva in Minsk. Below, an additional letter handwritten and signed by his son, R. Shlomo Zimbalist, one of the heads of the "Tiferet Tzvi" Yeshiva. Jerusalem, Elul 1947.

Sent to London, addressed to the bachur R. Menachem Ezra Abramsky, youngest son of R. Yechezkel Abramsky, rabbi in Slutsk and head of the Beit Din of London. R. Yehoshua had been in contact with the Abramsky family since his time in Soviet Russia, when he headed the underground yeshiva in the "Sho'avei Mayim" Beit Midrash in Minsk. R. Abramsky's older sons were sent from Slutsk to Minsk to study in this yeshiva, and R. Abramsky himself would occasionally come to give lectures in the underground yeshivas in Minsk, headed by R. Yehoshua.
R. Zimbalist opens and closes his letter with the blessing "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year". In the body of the letter, he requests financial assistance "for the honor of Torah", to benefit refugee rabbis from Minsk and the surrounding area who have settled in Jerusalem. R. Yehoshua adds that writing is difficult for him, so his son R. Shlomo will complete his words.
This letter was written in great weakness, about a month before R. Yehoshua's passing during the Ten Days of Repentance of 1947.
After his signature appears a letter from his son, R. Shlomo Zimbalist, completing his father's request.
He describes his elderly father's poor health condition, and that despite doctors forbidding him from engaging in public affairs, he cannot refrain from worrying about it.

R. Yehoshua Zimbalist, known as "R. Yehoshua'le Horodner" (1864-Tishrei 1947), dayan and rosh yeshiva in Minsk. Born near Grodno, after his marriage he moved to Minsk, where he became known for his greatness in all matters of Torah, and served as a posek and dayan. Over the years, he was appointed rosh yeshiva of the "Sho'avei Mayim" Beit Midrash in the city. He served in this role for some twenty years, mostly during the period of Soviet persecution in Russia. After the Bolsheviks entered Minsk in 1920, they issued an order to close the yeshivas, imposing prison sentences and exile to Siberia on yeshiva lecturers. R. Yehoshua convened an assembly of the city's rabbis, where it was decided to continue teaching Torah publicly with self-sacrifice in the underground yeshiva, which was split into several batei midrash in Minsk, where he taught Torah together with his colleagues: R. Yisrael Yehoshua Leibowitz, R. Shalom Horowitz, R. Aryeh Dardik, and R. Shlomo Goborin.
R. Yehoshua then raised many students who cherished and appreciated him all their lives, recalling with admiration his great dedication to his students and his sincere love for their welfare. After government persecution intensified, R. Yehoshua was forced to flee Minsk, and in 1933 he merited to immigrate to Eretz Israel and settle in Jerusalem.
Despite his great weakness in his old age, he worked tirelessly to help refugee rabbis from Russia. After the organization "Union of Refugee Rabbis from Russia" was established at his initiative, he was appointed as the organization's "Honorary President". In 1949, a collection was printed in his memory: "Rabbi Yehoshua of Grodno – Moreh Tzedek and Rosh Metivta in Minsk-Russia", and in 2002 it was reprinted by his descendants in a new edition, with additions.

[1] leaf. Approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further

information, please refer to the Hebrew text.