Halachic response pertaining to blessing of new month, handwritten and signed by the Ga’on Rabbi Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop. Name of recipient does not appear on letter. At the conclusion of the letter Rabbi Shkop writes: “Since this matter is new to me, I did not reach a conclusive opinion, and I do not have the time to closely examine the matter properly, and if my esteemed friend will find that I have mistaken, he should please not hesitate to inform me. Your friend, Shimon Yehuda HaKohen”.
The Ga’on Rabbi Shimon Yehuda HaKohen Shkop (1860-1940, Otzar HaRabbanim 19962), among the leading Rashei Yeshivot of Lithuania. Disciple of Volozhin Yeshiva, where he became closely associated with Rabbi Chaim HaLevi Soloveichik who guided him through the methods of in-depth study. At the age of 24 he was Rosh Mativta in the Telshe Yeshiva [founded by his uncle, the Ga’on Rabbi Eliezer Gordon], where he bestowed his in-depth method of study, which captivated the Torah world until today, to the students. Among his well-known disciples during that period: Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman. Afterwards he served in the rabbinate of Reinsk and Maltsch. In 1921 was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Sha’ar HaTorah Yeshiva in Grodna. Composed: Sha’arei Yosher, Ma’arechet HaKinyanim and Chidushei Rabbi Shimon Yehudah HaKohen.
2 pages, 20 cm. Approx. 40 lines in his handwriting. Good condition, several creases and tears.
To the best of our knowledge this response is unknown and was not printed.