Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
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Displaying 337 - 348 of 434
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. "Malkiel Tzvi HaLevi" Tennenbaum Rabbi of Lomza. Lomza, 1907.
Sent to R. Mordechai Friedman of Mezritch (D’Lita, Międzyrzec Podlaski), who requested an answer to a halachic query. R. Malkiel Tzvi writes: "…Perhaps it is incorrect to send a practical ruling to a place that has a permanent rabbi, but out of respect to his greatness, I responded…". Apparently, he had responded to the query in a previous letter, which got lost. The Divrei Malkiel apologized that "at present I cannot write again since I am a slightly ill, I am writing lying in bed…" (it is indeed apparent from the handwriting that this letter was written while lying in bed).
R. Malkiel Tzvi HaLevi Tennenbaum (1847-1910), a prominent rabbi and posek of his generation, was renowned for his great Torah genius and wrote many responsa, which were printed in the seven-volume Responsa Divrei Malkiel. He was known as a holy person and many approached him for blessing and deliverance. R. Herzog wrote about him that "in addition to his halachic brilliance, he was well-versed in kabbalah and studied Torah secrets well into the night".
Postcard. Approx. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Trimmed (not affecting text), repaired with paper.
Sent to R. Mordechai Friedman of Mezritch (D’Lita, Międzyrzec Podlaski), who requested an answer to a halachic query. R. Malkiel Tzvi writes: "…Perhaps it is incorrect to send a practical ruling to a place that has a permanent rabbi, but out of respect to his greatness, I responded…". Apparently, he had responded to the query in a previous letter, which got lost. The Divrei Malkiel apologized that "at present I cannot write again since I am a slightly ill, I am writing lying in bed…" (it is indeed apparent from the handwriting that this letter was written while lying in bed).
R. Malkiel Tzvi HaLevi Tennenbaum (1847-1910), a prominent rabbi and posek of his generation, was renowned for his great Torah genius and wrote many responsa, which were printed in the seven-volume Responsa Divrei Malkiel. He was known as a holy person and many approached him for blessing and deliverance. R. Herzog wrote about him that "in addition to his halachic brilliance, he was well-versed in kabbalah and studied Torah secrets well into the night".
Postcard. Approx. 14 cm. Good-fair condition. Trimmed (not affecting text), repaired with paper.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $600
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by the famous Torah scholar R. Meir Dan Plotzky, author of Kli Chemda. London, [25th Nissan 1921].
Sent to R. Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, rabbi in London, requesting a meeting: "I hereby request that you find time to come visit me tomorrow morning, since I have to speak to you about urgent matters… I leave the matter to your decision. Your faithful friend, Meir Dan Refael son of R. C.Y. [R. Chaim Yitzchak]".
The renowned R. Meir Dan Plotzky (1866-1928), a prominent Polish rabbi in the early 20th century. One of the founders of Agudat Yisrael in Poland and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. He was one of the most brilliant Torah scholars in Poland. Disciple of R. Chaim Elazar Wachs, author of Nefesh Chaya, and of R. Yehoshua of Kutna, author of Yeshuot Malko. He was a primary disciple of the rebbe of Sochatchov, author of Avnei Nezer, and in the preface to his book Chemdat Yisrael (Piotrków 1903), he writes about his teacher: "He showed me the way to study the holy Torah and there I began to taste the pleasant sweetness of the Torah". In his approbation to Chemdat Yisrael, the Avnei Nezer writes that the author "toils in Torah and that is the most important of all". R. Chaim Soloveitchik wrote in his approbations: "He is extremely great in Torah, with astuteness, erudition and reasoning"; "He is great both in Torah and fear of G-d". R. Plotzky was a Gerrer Chassid and his entire life clung to the Sfat Emet and the Imrei Emet. His popular book Kli Chemda on the Torah was highly cherished by Polish Torah scholars. In 1891, he was appointed rabbi of Dvart (Warta), and in 1918, rabbi of Ostrov (Ostrów Mazowiecka). He participated in the famous delegation of leading rabbis who travelled to the United States in 1924, together with the Dvar Avraham, Rabbi of Kovne, with R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein and with R. Avraham Yitzchak Kook.
Small postcard. 9X11.5 cm. Good condition.
Postmarks dated May 3, 1921. It is known that in the spring of 1921, R. Plotzky visited England and Belgium. He sailed from Antwerp to New York, arriving on June 6, 1921 (see enclosed material).
Sent to R. Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, rabbi in London, requesting a meeting: "I hereby request that you find time to come visit me tomorrow morning, since I have to speak to you about urgent matters… I leave the matter to your decision. Your faithful friend, Meir Dan Refael son of R. C.Y. [R. Chaim Yitzchak]".
The renowned R. Meir Dan Plotzky (1866-1928), a prominent Polish rabbi in the early 20th century. One of the founders of Agudat Yisrael in Poland and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. He was one of the most brilliant Torah scholars in Poland. Disciple of R. Chaim Elazar Wachs, author of Nefesh Chaya, and of R. Yehoshua of Kutna, author of Yeshuot Malko. He was a primary disciple of the rebbe of Sochatchov, author of Avnei Nezer, and in the preface to his book Chemdat Yisrael (Piotrków 1903), he writes about his teacher: "He showed me the way to study the holy Torah and there I began to taste the pleasant sweetness of the Torah". In his approbation to Chemdat Yisrael, the Avnei Nezer writes that the author "toils in Torah and that is the most important of all". R. Chaim Soloveitchik wrote in his approbations: "He is extremely great in Torah, with astuteness, erudition and reasoning"; "He is great both in Torah and fear of G-d". R. Plotzky was a Gerrer Chassid and his entire life clung to the Sfat Emet and the Imrei Emet. His popular book Kli Chemda on the Torah was highly cherished by Polish Torah scholars. In 1891, he was appointed rabbi of Dvart (Warta), and in 1918, rabbi of Ostrov (Ostrów Mazowiecka). He participated in the famous delegation of leading rabbis who travelled to the United States in 1924, together with the Dvar Avraham, Rabbi of Kovne, with R. Moshe Mordechai Epstein and with R. Avraham Yitzchak Kook.
Small postcard. 9X11.5 cm. Good condition.
Postmarks dated May 3, 1921. It is known that in the spring of 1921, R. Plotzky visited England and Belgium. He sailed from Antwerp to New York, arriving on June 6, 1921 (see enclosed material).
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $700
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, Adar 1930.
Addressed to his associate R. Shmuel Greineman (brother-in-law of the Chazon Ish and publisher of his works). R. Chaim Ozer writes that he is enclosing the letter of a widow whose husband perished during the riots [1929?], and who requested assistance in locating family members through the press. At the foot of the letter, R. Chaim Ozer adds regards to "our distinguished colleague" R. Avraham Kalmanowitz.
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. 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 in 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 for close to fifty years, his opinion was conclusive on all public matters which arose throughout the Diaspora. Despite his numerous concerns of global communal matters, he was very active on behalf of orphans and widows, fending for all their needs. R. Chaim Ozer once commented about this in his old age: "…in my youth, I thought that the main thing was to produce novellae and author many books. Now I understand that publishing books is like child’s play compared to assisting widows and orphans" (R. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro in his eulogy on the Chazon Ish, HaBe’er, VI, p. 41).
The recipient of the letter, R. Shmuel Greineman (1889-1957), outstanding and highly accomplished Torah scholar. The Chazon Ish detected R. Shmuel’s aptitude for communal activity while the latter was still a youth studying in Vilna (before they became brothers-in-law), and he encouraged him to engage in communal work under the Vaad HaYeshivot and Agudat Yisrael. R. Shmuel thereby developed a personal and close connection with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim, who held him in high esteem. During his stay in the United States, he served as director of the Tiferet Yerushalayim yeshiva of R. Moshe Feinstein. He was one of the founders of the Kollel in Bnei Brak initiated by the Chazon Ish (now named Kollel Chazon Ish). He published the book Chafetz Chaim on the Torah, and other works of the Chafetz Chaim’s teachings.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 12.5X20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear. Minor tear to fold.
Addressed to his associate R. Shmuel Greineman (brother-in-law of the Chazon Ish and publisher of his works). R. Chaim Ozer writes that he is enclosing the letter of a widow whose husband perished during the riots [1929?], and who requested assistance in locating family members through the press. At the foot of the letter, R. Chaim Ozer adds regards to "our distinguished colleague" R. Avraham Kalmanowitz.
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. 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 in 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 for close to fifty years, his opinion was conclusive on all public matters which arose throughout the Diaspora. Despite his numerous concerns of global communal matters, he was very active on behalf of orphans and widows, fending for all their needs. R. Chaim Ozer once commented about this in his old age: "…in my youth, I thought that the main thing was to produce novellae and author many books. Now I understand that publishing books is like child’s play compared to assisting widows and orphans" (R. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro in his eulogy on the Chazon Ish, HaBe’er, VI, p. 41).
The recipient of the letter, R. Shmuel Greineman (1889-1957), outstanding and highly accomplished Torah scholar. The Chazon Ish detected R. Shmuel’s aptitude for communal activity while the latter was still a youth studying in Vilna (before they became brothers-in-law), and he encouraged him to engage in communal work under the Vaad HaYeshivot and Agudat Yisrael. R. Shmuel thereby developed a personal and close connection with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim, who held him in high esteem. During his stay in the United States, he served as director of the Tiferet Yerushalayim yeshiva of R. Moshe Feinstein. He was one of the founders of the Kollel in Bnei Brak initiated by the Chazon Ish (now named Kollel Chazon Ish). He published the book Chafetz Chaim on the Torah, and other works of the Chafetz Chaim’s teachings.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 12.5X20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear. Minor tear to fold.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Certificate of accreditation as an Orthodox teacher, hand-signed by R. Yosef Leib Bloch, dean of the Telz yeshiva. [Telz (Telšiai)], Kislev 1926.
"As I have heard and as I know for several years… R. Lipman Rakow from Frankfurt, I affirm… that he is fit to be a lecturer and teacher in the Rabbinical seminary in Germany, of all Hebrew and religious subjects… Yosef Leib Bloch". At the foot of the leaf, a confirmation handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Dr. Yaakov Hoffmann, rabbi and yeshiva dean in Frankfurt am Main. December 1926.
R. Yosef Yehuda Leib Bloch (1859-1929), a student of Volozhin and Kelm, a foremost leader of the musar movement and one of its noblest members. He married the daughter of R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz and was appointed lecturer and mashgiach in his yeshiva. After the first musar polemic, he left the yeshiva and went to serve as rabbi in Vorne (Varniai) and Shadova (Šeduva). Upon his father-in-law’s passing in 1910, he returned to Telz and succeeded him as rabbi and yeshiva dean. R. Yosef Yehuda Leib Bloch was the forerunner of the Telz approach to study and musar. The study method he implemented in his yeshiva was continued by his sons, grandsons and followers, in Telz yeshivot in Lithuania and in the United States. His teachings were published in the books Shiurei Halacha and Shiurei Daat. Recipient of the certificate: R. Yom Tov Lipman Rakow (1884-1950), native of Lithuania and one of the finest products of its yeshivot. From 1920, he lectured in R. Breuer’s yeshiva in Frankfurt am Main, and after a year, left to teach in the yeshiva of R. Hoffman in Frankfurt am Main, a position he held for close to 20 years (the reason R. Rakow needed this certificate in 1926, after actively serving as teacher and lecturer in the yeshiva in Frankfurt for several years, is unclear. R. Rakow was also not a student of the seminary for Orthodox teachers in Telz, established after WWI). At the outbreak of WWII, he moved to London where he continued teaching Torah in yeshivot. His sons were R. Benzion Rakow - dean of the Chayei Olam yeshiva in London, and R. Betzalel Rakow - renowned rabbi of the British Torah center, Gateshead. His biography is recorded in the Orchot Yesharim books (London, 1991-1997).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears and wear to margins.
"As I have heard and as I know for several years… R. Lipman Rakow from Frankfurt, I affirm… that he is fit to be a lecturer and teacher in the Rabbinical seminary in Germany, of all Hebrew and religious subjects… Yosef Leib Bloch". At the foot of the leaf, a confirmation handwritten, signed and stamped by R. Dr. Yaakov Hoffmann, rabbi and yeshiva dean in Frankfurt am Main. December 1926.
R. Yosef Yehuda Leib Bloch (1859-1929), a student of Volozhin and Kelm, a foremost leader of the musar movement and one of its noblest members. He married the daughter of R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz and was appointed lecturer and mashgiach in his yeshiva. After the first musar polemic, he left the yeshiva and went to serve as rabbi in Vorne (Varniai) and Shadova (Šeduva). Upon his father-in-law’s passing in 1910, he returned to Telz and succeeded him as rabbi and yeshiva dean. R. Yosef Yehuda Leib Bloch was the forerunner of the Telz approach to study and musar. The study method he implemented in his yeshiva was continued by his sons, grandsons and followers, in Telz yeshivot in Lithuania and in the United States. His teachings were published in the books Shiurei Halacha and Shiurei Daat. Recipient of the certificate: R. Yom Tov Lipman Rakow (1884-1950), native of Lithuania and one of the finest products of its yeshivot. From 1920, he lectured in R. Breuer’s yeshiva in Frankfurt am Main, and after a year, left to teach in the yeshiva of R. Hoffman in Frankfurt am Main, a position he held for close to 20 years (the reason R. Rakow needed this certificate in 1926, after actively serving as teacher and lecturer in the yeshiva in Frankfurt for several years, is unclear. R. Rakow was also not a student of the seminary for Orthodox teachers in Telz, established after WWI). At the outbreak of WWII, he moved to London where he continued teaching Torah in yeshivot. His sons were R. Benzion Rakow - dean of the Chayei Olam yeshiva in London, and R. Betzalel Rakow - renowned rabbi of the British Torah center, Gateshead. His biography is recorded in the Orchot Yesharim books (London, 1991-1997).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears and wear to margins.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $2,000
Unsold
Three letters signed by R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop, dean of the Grodno yeshiva. Hrodna (Grodno), 1932-1933.
Letters in Hebrew and Yiddish, addressed to yeshiva donors. Two of the letters are typewritten and hand signed: "Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop". The third letter was written by a scribe, and hand signed: "Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop". Two letters are addressed to R. Nisan HaLevi, a descendant of "the outstanding Torah scholar, R. Akiva Eger".
R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop (1860-1939), a disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin yeshiva, where he absorbed the intricate and profound methodology of Torah study. At the age of 24, he was appointed dean of the Telz yeshiva (founded by his uncle R. Eliezer Gordon). There, he transmitted to the many students his innovative method of logical study - approach adopted by the entire Torah world until this day. One of his foremost disciples from that period was R. Elchanan Wasserman. In 1920, he was called to head the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno. His works include: Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen.
3 letters, on official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and stains. Tears and repairs.
Letters in Hebrew and Yiddish, addressed to yeshiva donors. Two of the letters are typewritten and hand signed: "Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop". The third letter was written by a scribe, and hand signed: "Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop". Two letters are addressed to R. Nisan HaLevi, a descendant of "the outstanding Torah scholar, R. Akiva Eger".
R. Shimon Yehuda Shkop (1860-1939), a disciple of R. Chaim Soloveitchik in the Volozhin yeshiva, where he absorbed the intricate and profound methodology of Torah study. At the age of 24, he was appointed dean of the Telz yeshiva (founded by his uncle R. Eliezer Gordon). There, he transmitted to the many students his innovative method of logical study - approach adopted by the entire Torah world until this day. One of his foremost disciples from that period was R. Elchanan Wasserman. In 1920, he was called to head the Shaar HaTorah yeshiva in Grodno. His works include: Shaarei Yosher, Maarechet HaKinyanim and Chiddushei R. Shimon Yehuda HaKohen.
3 letters, on official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and stains. Tears and repairs.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Appeal letter for financial aid for the widow of the Alter of Novardok, handwritten and signed by her sons-in-law R. Avraham Yoffen and R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky. Baranovich (Baranavichy), Iyar 1934.
Written on the official stationery of R. "Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, dean of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich, son-in-law of R. Y. Horowitz".
The letter is addressed to R. Aharon Burack (who was responsible for transferring aid funds to the various yeshivot, from one of the aid organizations in the United States). R. Avraham Yoffen writes that while travelling through Baranovich, he found his pious mother-in-law to be very weak, and in need of financial assistance due to her medical state. He asks that a regular sum of money be sent on set dates to his brother-in-law R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, "since this is a matter of life and death". The letter lists the addresses via which the funds should be sent. At the end of the letter, R. Yisrael Yaakov adds a few words in his handwriting, with his full signature: "I agree to all the above, so says Yisrael Yaakov son of the late rabbi of this city".
This letter discloses that Rebbetzin Chaya Horowitz, widow of the Alter of Novardok - R. Yosef Yozel Horowitz (d. 1919), lived to an old age and in 1934, was living in Baranovich in the home of her daughter Rebbetzin Lubchansky.
R. Avraham Yoffen (1886-1970), son-in-law and close disciple of the Alter of Novardok. He headed the Beit Yosef-Novardok network of yeshivot for fifty years, and was one of leading Torah disseminators in his times. During WWI, R. Avraham wandered together with his father-in-law the Alter of Novardok further into Russia, where they continued establishing more and more yeshivot, all the while impassioning and drawing the youth to Torah and worship of G-d. When his father-in-law the Alter of Novardok passed away (Kislev 1919), R. Avraham was appointed dean of the yeshiva in Kiev (which comprised five branches), and from there he directed the entire network of yeshivot. In the early 1920s, when the Yevsektsiya began forbidding Torah study, R. Avraham sent a directive to all the branches, instructing them to risk their lives to continue disseminating Torah, in this time of religious persecution: "Not to obey, nor surrender". In summer 1921, he was imprisoned, tortured and interrogated, on charges of Torah dissemination. In 1922-1923, he directed a daring and dangerous operation, through which most of the Novardok students crossed the Russian border illegally into Poland. R. Avraham raised thousands of rubles for the success of the operation. In Poland, he established the Beit Yosef-Novardok network of yeshivot, numbering until 1939 seventy branches, which were attended in total by four thousand students. In the interwar years, he lived in Białystok, and headed the yeshiva he founded there. His most prominent disciple from the Białystok years was the Steipler. When WWII broke out, he transferred the yeshiva to Vilna. In 1941, he reached the United States, where he lived for some twenty years, establishing a yeshiva there as well. In 1964, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, spending his final years in Jerusalem. He authored Derech Eitan (on the Talmud) and HaMusar VehaDaat.
R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky was a leading musar figure in his times. Born in Baranovich to his father, who served as rabbi of the town. He was one of the initial students in the yeshiva of R. Yozel Horowitz, the Alter of Novardok, and later became his son-in-law. Following his father’s passing, he served for a time as rabbi of Baranovich, a position he later handed over to his brother-in-law, R. David Weitzel. He headed the Tsaritsyn (Volgograd) and Kharkiv branches of the Novardok yeshiva. When he crossed the border to Poland, R. Elchanan Wasserman appointed him mashgiach of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich. He was also the mainstay of the Beit Yosef-Novardok chain of yeshivot, founded by his father-in-law, the Alter of Novardok, and the profound, inspirational lectures which he delivered at alumni gatherings would be received with great love and respect. He would preach about striving to reach perfection, and absolute devotion to a life of Torah and refining one’s character traits. A most preeminent Torah figure of the generation, outstanding in Torah and noble traits, who combined piety with action. His worship of G-d was passionate. Exceptionally humble, he would conceal his holy practices in every way possible, though his righteousness and modesty became well known. During his tenure as rabbi of Baranovich, he would arise early to assist the beadle, and he was beloved and revered by every member of the community. When he would go on Erev Shabbat to remind the storekeepers to close their shops, they would all hurry to comply, so as not to cause him anguish even for a short moment. With the outbreak of WWII, he fled to Vilna with part of the Baranovich yeshiva. He was murdered by the Nazis in the Kaunas fortress in Tammuz 1941.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 14X21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Filing holes. Folding mark.
Written on the official stationery of R. "Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, dean of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich, son-in-law of R. Y. Horowitz".
The letter is addressed to R. Aharon Burack (who was responsible for transferring aid funds to the various yeshivot, from one of the aid organizations in the United States). R. Avraham Yoffen writes that while travelling through Baranovich, he found his pious mother-in-law to be very weak, and in need of financial assistance due to her medical state. He asks that a regular sum of money be sent on set dates to his brother-in-law R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, "since this is a matter of life and death". The letter lists the addresses via which the funds should be sent. At the end of the letter, R. Yisrael Yaakov adds a few words in his handwriting, with his full signature: "I agree to all the above, so says Yisrael Yaakov son of the late rabbi of this city".
This letter discloses that Rebbetzin Chaya Horowitz, widow of the Alter of Novardok - R. Yosef Yozel Horowitz (d. 1919), lived to an old age and in 1934, was living in Baranovich in the home of her daughter Rebbetzin Lubchansky.
R. Avraham Yoffen (1886-1970), son-in-law and close disciple of the Alter of Novardok. He headed the Beit Yosef-Novardok network of yeshivot for fifty years, and was one of leading Torah disseminators in his times. During WWI, R. Avraham wandered together with his father-in-law the Alter of Novardok further into Russia, where they continued establishing more and more yeshivot, all the while impassioning and drawing the youth to Torah and worship of G-d. When his father-in-law the Alter of Novardok passed away (Kislev 1919), R. Avraham was appointed dean of the yeshiva in Kiev (which comprised five branches), and from there he directed the entire network of yeshivot. In the early 1920s, when the Yevsektsiya began forbidding Torah study, R. Avraham sent a directive to all the branches, instructing them to risk their lives to continue disseminating Torah, in this time of religious persecution: "Not to obey, nor surrender". In summer 1921, he was imprisoned, tortured and interrogated, on charges of Torah dissemination. In 1922-1923, he directed a daring and dangerous operation, through which most of the Novardok students crossed the Russian border illegally into Poland. R. Avraham raised thousands of rubles for the success of the operation. In Poland, he established the Beit Yosef-Novardok network of yeshivot, numbering until 1939 seventy branches, which were attended in total by four thousand students. In the interwar years, he lived in Białystok, and headed the yeshiva he founded there. His most prominent disciple from the Białystok years was the Steipler. When WWII broke out, he transferred the yeshiva to Vilna. In 1941, he reached the United States, where he lived for some twenty years, establishing a yeshiva there as well. In 1964, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, spending his final years in Jerusalem. He authored Derech Eitan (on the Talmud) and HaMusar VehaDaat.
R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky was a leading musar figure in his times. Born in Baranovich to his father, who served as rabbi of the town. He was one of the initial students in the yeshiva of R. Yozel Horowitz, the Alter of Novardok, and later became his son-in-law. Following his father’s passing, he served for a time as rabbi of Baranovich, a position he later handed over to his brother-in-law, R. David Weitzel. He headed the Tsaritsyn (Volgograd) and Kharkiv branches of the Novardok yeshiva. When he crossed the border to Poland, R. Elchanan Wasserman appointed him mashgiach of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich. He was also the mainstay of the Beit Yosef-Novardok chain of yeshivot, founded by his father-in-law, the Alter of Novardok, and the profound, inspirational lectures which he delivered at alumni gatherings would be received with great love and respect. He would preach about striving to reach perfection, and absolute devotion to a life of Torah and refining one’s character traits. A most preeminent Torah figure of the generation, outstanding in Torah and noble traits, who combined piety with action. His worship of G-d was passionate. Exceptionally humble, he would conceal his holy practices in every way possible, though his righteousness and modesty became well known. During his tenure as rabbi of Baranovich, he would arise early to assist the beadle, and he was beloved and revered by every member of the community. When he would go on Erev Shabbat to remind the storekeepers to close their shops, they would all hurry to comply, so as not to cause him anguish even for a short moment. With the outbreak of WWII, he fled to Vilna with part of the Baranovich yeshiva. He was murdered by the Nazis in the Kaunas fortress in Tammuz 1941.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 14X21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Filing holes. Folding mark.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Handwritten leaf, certificate of rabbinical appointment for R. Shlomo Heiman, with the signatures of over 40 rabbis and community members. Vornyany (a town near Vilna), Shevat 1926.
The certificate of appointment specifies the terms of the position: The community undertakes to accord him the monopoly on selling yeast and candles, and a salary of 2 dollars a week. The rabbi commits to delivering a class every morning and evening, and sermons on Shabbat HaGadol and Shabbat Teshuva.
On the verso, the signature of R. "Dov Ber Greizel", who writes that he served as rabbi of Vornyany, and blesses R. Shlomo Heiman "that he should merit to lead this holy community by the wellsprings of Torah and fear of G-d, and during his tenure the town should flourish and be elevated, and may we all merit to ascend speedily to our holy city".
R. Shlomo Heiman (ca. 1890-1945), leading Lithuanian yeshiva dean, was a student of the Radin yeshiva and a disciple of R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz in the Hlusk yeshiva. He served as lecturer in R. Baruch Ber’s yeshiva - Knesset Beit Yitzchak, when it relocated from Slabodka to Kremenchuk during WWI. He was then summoned by his teacher the Chafetz Chaim to the Smilavichy yeshiva founded by R. Elchanan Wasserman. After the Chafetz Chaim and his yeshivot returned to Lithuania, R. Shlomo went back to disseminating Torah in Kremenchuk (in the yeshiva of his brother-in-law, R. Eliezer Yitzchak Berman). In 1923, he was appointed lecturer in R. Elchanan Wasserman’s yeshiva in Baranovich. In 1926, he was invited to serve as rabbi of Vornyany (a town near Vilna), yet this appointment was never realized, since concurrently, R. Chaim Ozer summoned him to Vilna to head the Ramailes yeshiva. In 1935, he immigrated to the United States to lead the Torah Vodaath yeshiva, where he taught his disciples for the rest of his life.
During that time, he met Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, who was very impressed with R. Shlomo’s refinement and glowing personality, and remarked to his associates that it is rare to meet such a person, who is "entirely Torah" (Yeshurun, VIII, p. 167). See also a letter from the Rayatz in Igrot Kodesh (VIII, 2,162), in which he addresses him with exceptional terms of friendship and veneration.
His novellae were published by R. Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz (his disciple in the Ramailes yeshiva), in the two volumes of Chiddushei R. Shlomo.
[1] leaf. 32 cm. Fair condition. Tears to folds (repaired with tape) and margins.
This certificate was published in the Yeshurun anthology (VIII, pp. 173-174), in the section Apiryon Shlomo - In the Memory of R. Shlomo Heiman. For further details on the rabbinical position he was offered in Vornyany, see ibid, pp. 157-159.
The certificate of appointment specifies the terms of the position: The community undertakes to accord him the monopoly on selling yeast and candles, and a salary of 2 dollars a week. The rabbi commits to delivering a class every morning and evening, and sermons on Shabbat HaGadol and Shabbat Teshuva.
On the verso, the signature of R. "Dov Ber Greizel", who writes that he served as rabbi of Vornyany, and blesses R. Shlomo Heiman "that he should merit to lead this holy community by the wellsprings of Torah and fear of G-d, and during his tenure the town should flourish and be elevated, and may we all merit to ascend speedily to our holy city".
R. Shlomo Heiman (ca. 1890-1945), leading Lithuanian yeshiva dean, was a student of the Radin yeshiva and a disciple of R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz in the Hlusk yeshiva. He served as lecturer in R. Baruch Ber’s yeshiva - Knesset Beit Yitzchak, when it relocated from Slabodka to Kremenchuk during WWI. He was then summoned by his teacher the Chafetz Chaim to the Smilavichy yeshiva founded by R. Elchanan Wasserman. After the Chafetz Chaim and his yeshivot returned to Lithuania, R. Shlomo went back to disseminating Torah in Kremenchuk (in the yeshiva of his brother-in-law, R. Eliezer Yitzchak Berman). In 1923, he was appointed lecturer in R. Elchanan Wasserman’s yeshiva in Baranovich. In 1926, he was invited to serve as rabbi of Vornyany (a town near Vilna), yet this appointment was never realized, since concurrently, R. Chaim Ozer summoned him to Vilna to head the Ramailes yeshiva. In 1935, he immigrated to the United States to lead the Torah Vodaath yeshiva, where he taught his disciples for the rest of his life.
During that time, he met Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, who was very impressed with R. Shlomo’s refinement and glowing personality, and remarked to his associates that it is rare to meet such a person, who is "entirely Torah" (Yeshurun, VIII, p. 167). See also a letter from the Rayatz in Igrot Kodesh (VIII, 2,162), in which he addresses him with exceptional terms of friendship and veneration.
His novellae were published by R. Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz (his disciple in the Ramailes yeshiva), in the two volumes of Chiddushei R. Shlomo.
[1] leaf. 32 cm. Fair condition. Tears to folds (repaired with tape) and margins.
This certificate was published in the Yeshurun anthology (VIII, pp. 173-174), in the section Apiryon Shlomo - In the Memory of R. Shlomo Heiman. For further details on the rabbinical position he was offered in Vornyany, see ibid, pp. 157-159.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $4,000
Including buyer's premium
Letter handwritten by R. Menachem Mendel Zaks, on the official stationery of his father-in-law the Chafetz Chaim, containing several questions and requests from the wife of the Chafetz Chaim, relating to their immigration to Eretz Israel. Radin (Radun), Tammuz 1925.
Addressed to R. David Potash of Tel Aviv (who greatly assisted the Chafetz Chaim in organizing his immigration to Eretz Israel). R. Mendel Zaks writes in the name of his mother-in-law, the rebbetzin, inquiring about various technicalities pertaining to their home in Petach Tikva, and about procuring household help ("a Jewish maid"): "…I hereby inquire in the name of the rebbetzin, who has heard that in Eretz Israel, it is not customary to place the stove in the house. She nevertheless wishes that the house should not be different from the one here, and therefore would like the kitchen stove and oven to be located in the house, rather than in the courtyard. She also asks if one can obtain a Jewish maid in Eretz Israel, and what her salary would be, since it may be worthwhile to bring over a Jewish woman from here…".
R. Mendel reports of the progress made in the preparations for immigration, which was scheduled for the middle of Elul 1925: "…we intend to leave in the middle of Elul, and then we will notify him more specifically… Menachem Mendel Zaks".
In 1925, the Chafetz Chaim made plans to travel to Eretz Israel and settle there in his old age. Already during Sukkot 1924, R. David Potash approached the activists of Agudath Israel in Jerusalem, and asked them to secretly obtain immigration certificates for the Chafetz Chaim and his family. Several months later, the plan was discovered by the yeshiva deans and Torah leaders in Poland, and, fearful of the European communities and yeshivot being left leaderless, they worked tirelessly to dissuade the Chafetz Chaim from realizing his intentions. The Chafetz Chaim however did not change his mind and continued preparing for his immigration to Eretz Israel. R. David Potash loyally persisted in furthering the arrangements for the Chafetz Chaim’s settlement in Eretz Israel. Philanthropists built him a home in the Petach Tikva colony ("Beit HaChafetz Chaim" until this day stands on Montefiore St. in Petach Tikva, and currently houses the Birkat Yaakov Talmud Torah). Ultimately, the journey was cancelled, when the rebbetzin’s state of health took a sudden turn for the worse, as the Chafetz Chaim himself wrote in a letter: "…in my old age, I planned on travelling to Eretz Israel… and I made all the required arrangements. However, I was providentially prevented, since suddenly, on the day I was ready to travel, my wife fell dangerously ill… and according to the doctors, she is unfit for travel, so I am compelled to remain here…" (Michtevei HaRav Chafetz Chaim, letter 116).
Postcard. 9X14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and creases.
This interesting letter was first publicized in 2014, in the blog of R. Avishai Elbaum, director of the Rambam library, and in the Otzar HaChochma forum. See further information regarding the Chafetz Chaim’s plans to immigrate to Eretz Israel in the article by Aviasaf Ben Natan, The Chafetz Chaim’s Plan to Immigrate to Eretz Israel, in Eshel Natan, Anthology for the Jubilee of R. Natan Dasberg, Alon Shvut, 1988, pp. 110-115.
Addressed to R. David Potash of Tel Aviv (who greatly assisted the Chafetz Chaim in organizing his immigration to Eretz Israel). R. Mendel Zaks writes in the name of his mother-in-law, the rebbetzin, inquiring about various technicalities pertaining to their home in Petach Tikva, and about procuring household help ("a Jewish maid"): "…I hereby inquire in the name of the rebbetzin, who has heard that in Eretz Israel, it is not customary to place the stove in the house. She nevertheless wishes that the house should not be different from the one here, and therefore would like the kitchen stove and oven to be located in the house, rather than in the courtyard. She also asks if one can obtain a Jewish maid in Eretz Israel, and what her salary would be, since it may be worthwhile to bring over a Jewish woman from here…".
R. Mendel reports of the progress made in the preparations for immigration, which was scheduled for the middle of Elul 1925: "…we intend to leave in the middle of Elul, and then we will notify him more specifically… Menachem Mendel Zaks".
In 1925, the Chafetz Chaim made plans to travel to Eretz Israel and settle there in his old age. Already during Sukkot 1924, R. David Potash approached the activists of Agudath Israel in Jerusalem, and asked them to secretly obtain immigration certificates for the Chafetz Chaim and his family. Several months later, the plan was discovered by the yeshiva deans and Torah leaders in Poland, and, fearful of the European communities and yeshivot being left leaderless, they worked tirelessly to dissuade the Chafetz Chaim from realizing his intentions. The Chafetz Chaim however did not change his mind and continued preparing for his immigration to Eretz Israel. R. David Potash loyally persisted in furthering the arrangements for the Chafetz Chaim’s settlement in Eretz Israel. Philanthropists built him a home in the Petach Tikva colony ("Beit HaChafetz Chaim" until this day stands on Montefiore St. in Petach Tikva, and currently houses the Birkat Yaakov Talmud Torah). Ultimately, the journey was cancelled, when the rebbetzin’s state of health took a sudden turn for the worse, as the Chafetz Chaim himself wrote in a letter: "…in my old age, I planned on travelling to Eretz Israel… and I made all the required arrangements. However, I was providentially prevented, since suddenly, on the day I was ready to travel, my wife fell dangerously ill… and according to the doctors, she is unfit for travel, so I am compelled to remain here…" (Michtevei HaRav Chafetz Chaim, letter 116).
Postcard. 9X14 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and creases.
This interesting letter was first publicized in 2014, in the blog of R. Avishai Elbaum, director of the Rambam library, and in the Otzar HaChochma forum. See further information regarding the Chafetz Chaim’s plans to immigrate to Eretz Israel in the article by Aviasaf Ben Natan, The Chafetz Chaim’s Plan to Immigrate to Eretz Israel, in Eshel Natan, Anthology for the Jubilee of R. Natan Dasberg, Alon Shvut, 1988, pp. 110-115.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yehoshua Zelig HaLevi Tarshish. [Jerusalem?, ca. 1930s].
Sent to R. Tzvi Hirsh Ferber, rabbi in London. The letter opens with blessings of "good life, blessing and peace, light and deliverance and everlasting joy" and concludes with many good wishes for Pesach.
R. Yehoshua Zelig HaLevi Tarshish (1862-1939) was an outstanding Torah scholar and tzaddik, known in Lithuania as "the tzaddik R. Zelig’l Kelemer". Brother-in-law of the Alter of Novardok. In 1881, upon the passing of R. Shlomo Zalman Hurwitz, the rabbi of Kurtuvian, the community asked his son, R. Yozel Hurwitz (known later as the Alter of Novardok), to fill the position. R. Yozel, however, preferred to find a fitting husband for his orphaned sister and appoint him to the position. He chose R. Zelig Tarshish. R. Zelig’s appointment as rabbi of Kurtuvian was celebrated on the day of his wedding. After a nine-year tenure, R. Zelig resigned from the rabbinate, and accepted the position of lecturer in the yeshiva in Berdychiv which was opened by his brother-in-law R. Yozel. After two years, he left this position as well, and dedicated the rest of his life to Torah study and service of G-d in Slabodka, Kelm and Jerusalem. Renowned as a holy man and wonder worker. He performed great acts of kindness, and throughout his life he rose higher and higher in fear of Heaven, good traits and closeness to G-d. He used to go out into the fields and forests surrounding Kelm, wearing his tallit and tefillin, immersing himself completely in prayer and devotion to G-d. At such times, even with many people gathering around him, he would not be distracted from his prayers (there is a well-known picture of R. Zelig standing in the forest immersed in prayer, surrounded by a large group of travelers - see enclosed material). The gentile villagers in the area of Kelm, who also regarded him as a holy man, would rise in his honor as he walked out to the forest, hoping that he would walk in their fields, thus bringing blessing to their produce. He cherished Eretz Israel, and towards the end of his life he settled in Jerusalem, publishing there his three-volume series Ein Tarshish on the Talmud. In 1985, one of his descendants published in New York the booklet "R. Zelig’l Kelemer" about R. Zelig and his family.
[1] leaf. 26 cm. Good condition. Filing holes.
Sent to R. Tzvi Hirsh Ferber, rabbi in London. The letter opens with blessings of "good life, blessing and peace, light and deliverance and everlasting joy" and concludes with many good wishes for Pesach.
R. Yehoshua Zelig HaLevi Tarshish (1862-1939) was an outstanding Torah scholar and tzaddik, known in Lithuania as "the tzaddik R. Zelig’l Kelemer". Brother-in-law of the Alter of Novardok. In 1881, upon the passing of R. Shlomo Zalman Hurwitz, the rabbi of Kurtuvian, the community asked his son, R. Yozel Hurwitz (known later as the Alter of Novardok), to fill the position. R. Yozel, however, preferred to find a fitting husband for his orphaned sister and appoint him to the position. He chose R. Zelig Tarshish. R. Zelig’s appointment as rabbi of Kurtuvian was celebrated on the day of his wedding. After a nine-year tenure, R. Zelig resigned from the rabbinate, and accepted the position of lecturer in the yeshiva in Berdychiv which was opened by his brother-in-law R. Yozel. After two years, he left this position as well, and dedicated the rest of his life to Torah study and service of G-d in Slabodka, Kelm and Jerusalem. Renowned as a holy man and wonder worker. He performed great acts of kindness, and throughout his life he rose higher and higher in fear of Heaven, good traits and closeness to G-d. He used to go out into the fields and forests surrounding Kelm, wearing his tallit and tefillin, immersing himself completely in prayer and devotion to G-d. At such times, even with many people gathering around him, he would not be distracted from his prayers (there is a well-known picture of R. Zelig standing in the forest immersed in prayer, surrounded by a large group of travelers - see enclosed material). The gentile villagers in the area of Kelm, who also regarded him as a holy man, would rise in his honor as he walked out to the forest, hoping that he would walk in their fields, thus bringing blessing to their produce. He cherished Eretz Israel, and towards the end of his life he settled in Jerusalem, publishing there his three-volume series Ein Tarshish on the Talmud. In 1985, one of his descendants published in New York the booklet "R. Zelig’l Kelemer" about R. Zelig and his family.
[1] leaf. 26 cm. Good condition. Filing holes.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $300
Unsold
Two letters handwritten and signed by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, addressed to R. Meir Berlin (Bar-Ilan). Jerusalem, 1927 and 1940.
In the first letter, dated 1927, R. Isser Zalman describes at length the correct methods rabbis should use to influence the youth and act on religious matters. Most of the letter discusses ways of bolstering the tithing of produce in the agricultural settlements in Eretz Israel, by appointing a person specifically responsible for the tithing, who would travel from one settlement to the other, and exercise his influence "on the youth to take this into account, since it affects the public, and something which the public requires must be done, even if it goes against their views".
In the second letter, dated Cheshvan 1940, he discusses the salary of R. Yeshaya Kieselstein, rabbi of Binyamina.
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1954), author of Even HaEzel, disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva. He served as rabbi and dean of Slutzk. He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1924 and was appointed head lecturer in the Etz Chaim yeshiva. He was one of the leaders of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. His son-in-law was R. Aharon Kotler, dean of the Kletzk and Lakewood yeshivot.
The recipient of the letter, R. Meir Berlin - Bar-Ilan (1880-1949), youngest son of the Netziv of Volozhin and a leader of the Mizrachi movement. He was very active in rabbinical matters and in strengthening religious observance. He helped reestablish the Lithuanian yeshivot in Eretz Israel, and rescue the Mir yeshiva during the Holocaust. He was the initiator and founder of the Encyclopedia Talmudit project.
2 letters, on official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Filing holes and minor marginal tears. Folding marks. Tears to date of first letter (repaired with tape).
In the first letter, dated 1927, R. Isser Zalman describes at length the correct methods rabbis should use to influence the youth and act on religious matters. Most of the letter discusses ways of bolstering the tithing of produce in the agricultural settlements in Eretz Israel, by appointing a person specifically responsible for the tithing, who would travel from one settlement to the other, and exercise his influence "on the youth to take this into account, since it affects the public, and something which the public requires must be done, even if it goes against their views".
In the second letter, dated Cheshvan 1940, he discusses the salary of R. Yeshaya Kieselstein, rabbi of Binyamina.
R. Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1954), author of Even HaEzel, disciple of R. Chaim of Brisk in the Volozhin yeshiva. He served as rabbi and dean of Slutzk. He immigrated to Jerusalem in 1924 and was appointed head lecturer in the Etz Chaim yeshiva. He was one of the leaders of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. His son-in-law was R. Aharon Kotler, dean of the Kletzk and Lakewood yeshivot.
The recipient of the letter, R. Meir Berlin - Bar-Ilan (1880-1949), youngest son of the Netziv of Volozhin and a leader of the Mizrachi movement. He was very active in rabbinical matters and in strengthening religious observance. He helped reestablish the Lithuanian yeshivot in Eretz Israel, and rescue the Mir yeshiva during the Holocaust. He was the initiator and founder of the Encyclopedia Talmudit project.
2 letters, on official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. Filing holes and minor marginal tears. Folding marks. Tears to date of first letter (repaired with tape).
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
Opening: $400
Unsold
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, addressed to R. Shlomo Blazer. London, Shevat 1933.
Embossed stamp of R. Dessler at the top of the leaf, with his name and address in London.
This letter was written to R. Shlomo Blazer, son of R. Yitzchak Blazer of St. Petersburg, as a response to his request that R. Dessler write an article about the illustrious R. Yisrael Salanter. R. Dessler explains in this letter: "Concerning the article portraying the spiritual figure of this great Torah giant, it appears to me that we will not succeed thereby in fulfilling our obligation… and who do we have greater than the outstanding Torah scholar and Tzaddik, his father [R. Itzele Blazer], and what is found in his writings [in his book Or Yisrael, Vilna 1900, Netivot Or section] is what can be said, and who has the audacity to come after the king…". Further in the letter, he writes that in the meantime, he is enclosing a copying of four letters handwritten by his grandfather R. Yisrael Salanter, for publication.
R. Shlomo Blazer, son of R. Itzele Blazer, was the editor of Shaarei Tzion - a Torah-musar anthology which appeared in Jerusalem in 1921-1939. In the honor of the 50th yahrzeit of R. Yisrael Salanter - founder of the musar movement, an anthology entirely dedicated to his memory was published (booklets 3-5, Kislev-Shevat 1933). To this end, the editor asked R. Dessler (grandson of R. Yisrael Salanter’s daughter) to write an article about R. Yisrael. Ultimately, the anthology included the copyings of the letters which R. Dessler sent, mentioned in this letter, as well as a few lines from this letter. The complete letter was not published.
R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1953), a pious Torah scholar, was one of the leading authors of musar literature in our generation, and a descendant of R. Yisrael of Salant, founder of the musar movement. A product of the Kelm yeshiva, he was the son-in-law of R. Nachum Ze’ev Ziv of Kelm. He arrived in England in 1927 and served as rabbi of Dalston, London, later founding the Gateshead Kollel and other Torah institutes throughout England. In his final years, he served as mashgiach of the Ponevezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak. His profound lectures constructed upon the fundamentals of ethics, Kabbalah and Chassidism were published by his disciples in the book Sichot U’Maamarim, in the five volumes of Michtav Me’Eliyahu and in Sefer Zikaron Michtav Me’Eliyahu, which have become the basis for profound study of musar in this generation.
[1] leaf. 25.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Minor creases.
Embossed stamp of R. Dessler at the top of the leaf, with his name and address in London.
This letter was written to R. Shlomo Blazer, son of R. Yitzchak Blazer of St. Petersburg, as a response to his request that R. Dessler write an article about the illustrious R. Yisrael Salanter. R. Dessler explains in this letter: "Concerning the article portraying the spiritual figure of this great Torah giant, it appears to me that we will not succeed thereby in fulfilling our obligation… and who do we have greater than the outstanding Torah scholar and Tzaddik, his father [R. Itzele Blazer], and what is found in his writings [in his book Or Yisrael, Vilna 1900, Netivot Or section] is what can be said, and who has the audacity to come after the king…". Further in the letter, he writes that in the meantime, he is enclosing a copying of four letters handwritten by his grandfather R. Yisrael Salanter, for publication.
R. Shlomo Blazer, son of R. Itzele Blazer, was the editor of Shaarei Tzion - a Torah-musar anthology which appeared in Jerusalem in 1921-1939. In the honor of the 50th yahrzeit of R. Yisrael Salanter - founder of the musar movement, an anthology entirely dedicated to his memory was published (booklets 3-5, Kislev-Shevat 1933). To this end, the editor asked R. Dessler (grandson of R. Yisrael Salanter’s daughter) to write an article about R. Yisrael. Ultimately, the anthology included the copyings of the letters which R. Dessler sent, mentioned in this letter, as well as a few lines from this letter. The complete letter was not published.
R. Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1953), a pious Torah scholar, was one of the leading authors of musar literature in our generation, and a descendant of R. Yisrael of Salant, founder of the musar movement. A product of the Kelm yeshiva, he was the son-in-law of R. Nachum Ze’ev Ziv of Kelm. He arrived in England in 1927 and served as rabbi of Dalston, London, later founding the Gateshead Kollel and other Torah institutes throughout England. In his final years, he served as mashgiach of the Ponevezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak. His profound lectures constructed upon the fundamentals of ethics, Kabbalah and Chassidism were published by his disciples in the book Sichot U’Maamarim, in the five volumes of Michtav Me’Eliyahu and in Sefer Zikaron Michtav Me’Eliyahu, which have become the basis for profound study of musar in this generation.
[1] leaf. 25.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Minor creases.
Category
Letters - Rabbis and Communities
Catalogue
Auction 70 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
March 31, 2020
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Printed invitation to the wedding of the groom R. Dov Schwartzman, with the bride Sara Pesha, R. Aharon Kotler’s only daughter. [New York, Kislev 1946].
Two letters were written on the back of the invitation, one handwritten and signed by R. Aharon Kotler, and the second handwritten and signed by his wife, Rebbetzin Chana Perel Kotler. The envelope, addressed to R. Shabtai Yagel and his family in Ramat Gan, is enclosed.
R. Aharon Kotler writes: "…please accept our great appreciation for your faithful blessings, which emanate from the depth of your pure heart, and whoever blesses shall be blessed by G-d with all good forever, may you reap much satisfaction from all your sons… may you merit to disseminate Torah in prosperity… One who loves him eternally, Aharon Kotler". Rebbetzin Chana Perel writes: "Please accept my thanks as well… may we merit to inform and be informed of only good news, and may you be blessed with all goodness and much satisfaction from your dear sons... One who esteems and honors you for your great stature, Chana Perel Kotler".
R. Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), disciple of the Alter of Slabodka, and a prominent, outstanding Torah scholar. (While he was still a young student, the Or Same’ach predicted that he would be the "R. Akiva Eger" of the next generation). He was the son-in-law of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. He served as lecturer and dean of the Slutsk yeshiva, and during WWI, he fled with the yeshiva students to Poland, reestablishing the yeshiva in Kletsk. He was one of the yeshiva deans closely associated with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim. A founder of Vaad HaYeshivot and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Lithuania. During the Holocaust, he escaped to the United States, and established the famous Lakewood yeshiva in New Jersey (a yeshiva which changed the face of the yeshiva world in the United States, by inculcating its students with the passion and absolute devotion to Torah study, which was typical of Lithuanian yeshivot). He was one of the heads of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in the United States, and of Chinuch HaAtzma’i in Eretz Israel.
[1] double leaf. 15 cm. Heavy stock paper. Good condition. Light stains. Marginal filing holes.
Envelope enclosed. The stamps were removed.
Two letters were written on the back of the invitation, one handwritten and signed by R. Aharon Kotler, and the second handwritten and signed by his wife, Rebbetzin Chana Perel Kotler. The envelope, addressed to R. Shabtai Yagel and his family in Ramat Gan, is enclosed.
R. Aharon Kotler writes: "…please accept our great appreciation for your faithful blessings, which emanate from the depth of your pure heart, and whoever blesses shall be blessed by G-d with all good forever, may you reap much satisfaction from all your sons… may you merit to disseminate Torah in prosperity… One who loves him eternally, Aharon Kotler". Rebbetzin Chana Perel writes: "Please accept my thanks as well… may we merit to inform and be informed of only good news, and may you be blessed with all goodness and much satisfaction from your dear sons... One who esteems and honors you for your great stature, Chana Perel Kotler".
R. Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), disciple of the Alter of Slabodka, and a prominent, outstanding Torah scholar. (While he was still a young student, the Or Same’ach predicted that he would be the "R. Akiva Eger" of the next generation). He was the son-in-law of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. He served as lecturer and dean of the Slutsk yeshiva, and during WWI, he fled with the yeshiva students to Poland, reestablishing the yeshiva in Kletsk. He was one of the yeshiva deans closely associated with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim. A founder of Vaad HaYeshivot and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Lithuania. During the Holocaust, he escaped to the United States, and established the famous Lakewood yeshiva in New Jersey (a yeshiva which changed the face of the yeshiva world in the United States, by inculcating its students with the passion and absolute devotion to Torah study, which was typical of Lithuanian yeshivot). He was one of the heads of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in the United States, and of Chinuch HaAtzma’i in Eretz Israel.
[1] double leaf. 15 cm. Heavy stock paper. Good condition. Light stains. Marginal filing holes.
Envelope enclosed. The stamps were removed.
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Letters - Rabbis and Communities
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