Letter of ordination for the rabbinate in handwriting and signature of Rabbi “Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein”. Novardok, 15 Av, (1902), including his signature in Hebrew and Russian.
Rabbi Yechiel Michal Epshtein (1829-1908), a leading halachic authority in Lithuania. Author of "Aruch Ha-Shulchan" and many other books. Disciple of Rabbi Eliyahu, Av-Beit-Din Babruysk and disciple of Rabbi Itzale of Volozhin. Son-in-law of Rabbi Ya'akov Berlin (The Netziv's father) and father-in-law through second marriage of his brother-in-law the Netziv (to mother of Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan).
Receiver of ordination: The famous Ga’on Rabbi Yerucham Asher Warhaftig (1873-1965, Otzar HaRabbanim 11605), author of Divrei Yerucham, disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, Rabbi Shimon Shkop and the Saba of Novardok, in the Yeshivot of Volozhin and Telz. Served in the rabbinate, however, during the majority of his years abroad served as Rosh Mativta of the Novardok yeshiva and the Beit Yosef yeshiva in Warsaw, where he was well-known as one of the Torah giants of the city. In 1933 he immigrated to Jerusalem. Composed many books on the intricate Sugiot of the Shas and Rambam: Divrei Yerucham (Biłgoraj, 1931), Beit Yerucham, Shalmei Yerucham, Darkei Yerucham, Olat Yerucham and more.
21.5 cm, dozens of handwritten lines. Fair condition. Worn, minor tears in folds and margins.