Autograph letter signed by the Rogachover Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Rosen. Dvinsk, 1926.
Smicha (ordination) for a butcher attesting that he can be relied upon for the kashrut of meat he sells and his honest conduct, signed "Yosef Rosen, Rabbi from here".
The famous Torah genius R. Yosef Rosen (1858-1936), known as the Rogatchover Gaon (after his birthtown Rogachev), was a Chabad-Kapust Chassid. In his youth, he was a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik, author of Beit HaLevi and studied together with his son Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. From 1889, he served as rabbi of the Chabad Chassidic community of Dvinsk in Latvia (a position he held for 40 years) alongside the Rabbi of the city, author of the Or Sameach. He was a remarkable prodigy, proficient in all areas of the Torah, known for his sharpness, deep comprehension and original study methods. Many stories are told about his outstanding brilliance and amazing diligence. His brilliance was also highly regarded by the general public in his days and Bialik was reputed as saying that "two Einsteins could be carved out from the mind of the Rogatchover"
Leaf, 13X13.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks and wear.