A particularly moving letter.
At the beginning of the letter he writes about Shmira flour and Matzot for Pesach
Later, he goes into detail about the terrible situation in the yeshiva "The situation in our yeshiva in the last few weeks is very difficult because of the terrible poverty that prevails here in general. It’s almost impossible to get a loan or credit if not for a very short time, and that’s with great difficulty and you always need cash, which is something that we don’t have at all.
"…Because who among us -as yourself- is so passionate about Torah study and learning, and truly knows the toil and effort it requires, driven by tremendous inner pressure , as the Scripture says, ‘And you shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt, ‘ and we have seen from this that through knowledge, the obligation grows even stronger."
20 lines in the Holy Hand of Rabbi Elchonon, 5 lines in the Holy hand of Rabbi Yisrael Ya’akov.
The holy Gaon Rabbi Elchonon Bunim Wasserman (1876-1941) a disciple of Rabbi Eliezer Gordon and Rabbi Shimon Shkop at the Telz Yeshiva and a disciple of the Chofetz Chaim at the Kollel LeLimud Kodashim in Radin. Served as Ram in Amtshislov, Brisk and Smilovitz. In 1921, he established the "Ohel Torah" yeshiva in Baranovitz. Was a renowned prodigy and famed in the world of Torah scholars. and also worked for the Jews in general being one of the leaders of Agudas Yisroel. In 1938, he travelled to the USA to raise funds for his yeshiva. There he published the well-known admonishing booklet "Akavta DeMeshicha" in which he warned of the danger expected if the Jews do not repent. Rabbi Wasserman returned to Poland and after its occupation by the Germans, fled with a group of his disciples to Lithuania. He was arrested in the Kovno Ghetto and killed on Kiddush Hashem on the 11th of Tamuz 1941 Hy”d.
The Holy Gaon & Tzadik Rabbi Yisrael Ya’akov Lubchansky was a leading mussar figure in his times. Born in Baranovich, his father served in the city’s rabbinate; Rabbi Yisrael Ya’akov was one of the first disciples of Rabbi Yuzel Horwitz the "Saba of Navahrudak" and later became his son-in-law. After his father’s death, he served as Rabbi of Baranovich but eventually transferred the position to his brother-in-law, Rabbi David Weitzel. He headed the chain of Navahrudak Yeshivot in Tsaritsyn and in Kharkiv. After crossing the border to Poland, Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman appointed him Mashgiach in his Ohel Torah Yeshiva in Baranovich.
In addition, he was one of the mainstays of the chain of Beit Yosef- Navahrudak Yeshivot, established by his father-in-law the "Saba of Navahrudak". At the conventions of Navahrudak students, he would deliver his profound discourses and inspirational words which were received with much love and awe. His would speak about working to reach perfection and complete devotion to the life of Torah and pure character. One of the most illustrious Torah figures of his times, outstanding scholar with exceptional attributes, he united Chassidism and actions. He was full of enthusiasm for G-d’s service, a famous tsaddik yet humble and unassuming; he hid his ways in every way possible, but was known for his piety and modesty.
During the time he was Rabbi of Baranovich he would awaken early to help the shamash. He was loved and esteemed by the whole city of Baranovich. When he would walk through the streets on Erev Shabbat to urge closing the shops, all would hasten closing shop so as not to cause Rabbi Lubchansky even a moment of sorrow. With the outburst of World War II, he escaped to Vilna with part of the Baranovich Yeshiva. Was murdered by the Nazis in the Kaunas Fortress in Tamuz 1941. Hy”d.
The recipient the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak HaLevi Segal (1881-1947), a disciple of the Alter of Novardok. A founder of the Etz Chaim yeshiva in London, he also established the Manchester yeshiva, which he headed for some 35 years.
Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak was an outstanding Torah scholar and an exalted Tzaddik. He devoted himself to disseminating Torah, and many of the rabbis of that time were his disciples (including Rabbi Shaul Wagschal of Gateshead, Rabbi Shmuel Alexander Unsdorfer, and others). Hegyonei Moharsha (p. 18) brings the wondrous testimony of two of his disciples, whose deceased father appeared to R. Moshe Yitzchak in a dream, requesting that he carefully supervise his orphaned sons. R. Moshe Yitzchak related the dream to them and asked them not to publicize it.
His son and successor as dean of the yeshiva was Rabbi Yehuda Ze’ev Segal (1911-1993), a holy Tzaddik and wonder-worker, who was very active in raising the awareness of the importance of guarding one’s speech, and was known as the Chafetz Chaim of England).
26.9 X 20.9 Cm. Official stationary of the Baranovich Yeshiva.
Repaired tears, old tape stains, filing holes.
Share this lot:
Lot #246