A lengthy letter handwritten and signed by the Gaon rabbi R. Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik, rabbi of Brisk. Brisk "on the River Bog ", Av 1934.

Sent to London to his friend R. Yechezkel Abramsky, on the occasion of the release of his book "Chazon Yechezkel" on the Tosefta Seder Mo'ed (the second part of his series of books on the Tosefta commentary):
"Abundant blessing to the honor of my dear friend, the great and renowned Gaon... R. Yechezkel Abramsky... Rabbi in London... the second part on the Tosefta of Seder Mo'ed timely arrived, and how precious and esteemed is this gift, for much good is contained in it, and it is an honor and delight for me... I bless him that G-d will always grant him to delve and meditate in Torah and to unlock the depths of the Tosefta with tranquility and expansion until the end of time, and to also publish the remaining parts to enlighten the eyes of the Tosefta students...
I am… Yitzchok Ze'ev son… of our master Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik...."

R. Yitzchok 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 his 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, rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976), was the prominent disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and the bosom friend of his son, R. Yitzchak (the Griz). A short time after his marriage ca. 1910, he traveled to the city of Brisk to receive Torah from the hands of the Grach. From then on, he was attached to his teacher's Torah throughout his life. During his tenure as rabbi in Smilovitz (Smilavichy), he would travel for extended periods to his teacher the Grach, who was then residing in Minsk, and merited to clarify various topics with him. Rabbi Yechezkel would commonly say about his teacher the Grach's way of study: "Rabbi Chaim would immediately delve into the heart of the sugya". Rabbi Chaim greatly esteemed the wisdom and discernment of his student, and once even wrote him in a letter: "For are we not friends and lovers of one another" (Melech BeYofiyo, p. 95). In those periods, rabbi Abramsky was deeply connected in friendship with his teacher's son, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchok Ze'ev (R. Velvel), and stood with him in close friendship and extensive correspondence for about fifty years.

[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Folding marks and tears.

This letter was photographed and printed in the book "Igrot Maran Ri"Z HaLevi", Jerusalem, 2008, letter 47; a photograph of the letter (with partial transcription), was printed in "Melech BeYofyo", Jerusalem 2004, p. 149.

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