Letter of Torah thoughts (16 lines) discussing the activity of transferring between domains on Shabbat, handwritten by R. Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz - the Chazon Ish. [Bnei Brak, 1950-1953].
Section (unsigned) of a letter from the Chazon Ish to his beloved disciple R. Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber. The letter was written in response to the book of R. Binyamin on the laws of Shabbat - Mekor Halacha, published in 1950, in which he innovated a conflict between Rashi and Tosafot on the topic of transferring between domains on Shabbat. The Chazon Ish did not agree with the idea suggested by R. Binyamin, and he therefore writes that in his opinion there is no disagreement between Rashi and Tosafot on this topic, and the words of the Tosafot are merely explaining those of Rashi. The Chazon Ish writes on the matter: "And although we are pained by our lack of understanding of Rashi’s commentary, one should not consequently innovate that Rashi held…".
R. Binyamin Zilber, recipient of the letter, stood his ground and wrote back to the Chazon Ish, refuting each of the latter’s objections. This exchange of letters between the Chazon Ish and his disciple was printed in later editions of Mekor Halacha (leaf 12). The letter of the Chazon Ish was reprinted in Teshuvot UKetavim MiMaran HaChazon Ish (p. 57).
R. Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (1879-1953), author of the Chazon Ish, a foremost scholar in Halacha and Jewish philosophy in our generations. A preeminent Torah scholar and hidden righteous man, his first book Chazon Ish was published in 1911 anonymously, and he thereafter became known under that title. In his great modesty, he would sign his name with his acronym only: Ish. He immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1933, where he became recognized as the leading Torah authority, and stood at the helm of the resurrection of the Torah world in our generation.
Recipient of the letter: R. Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber (1916-2008), a leading Torah scholar and halachic authority in our generation, a proponent of the Novardok branch of the musar movement. He studied in the Novardok yeshivot in Europe and in Bnei Brak, where he drew close to the Chazon Ish who affectionately dubbed him "R. Binyamin the Tzaddik". After his marriage, he studied in the Ohel Torah Beit Midrash in Jerusalem, and after several years, returned to Bnei Brak. He authored and published dozens of books on Halacha and ethics, including: Mekor Halacha and Brit Olam on the laws of Shabbat, Responsa Az Nidberu - 14 parts; Mekor Baruch on Chayei Adam; books on the commandments pertaining to the land and more. In his later years, he lived in Beitar Illit and was a member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah of Agudat Yisrael.
[1] leaf. 20.5 cm. (Top of letter cropped; it may have contained personal matters, "censored" by the recipient). Good-fair condition. Ink stains and dampstains. Wear. Minor marginal tears, not affecting text. Folding marks.

Letter of approbation by R. Moshe Feinstein. New York, Tammuz 1984.
Typewritten on official stationery, with the signature of R. Moshe Feinstein.
The letter of approbation is addressed to R. Tzvi Yabrov for the booklets he published in his youth, Bedin Birkot HaNehenin and BeDin Bat Kohen LeInyan Achilat Teruma (Bnei Brak 1984, mimeographed edition).
In his letter, R. Moshe blesses: "May G-d grant him success with this work, and may he merit to author additional important books, bringing grandeur and glory to Torah".
R. Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), foremost Halachic authority in the United States, was the leader of Orthodox Jewry, chairman of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah and dean of the Tiferet Yerushalayim yeshiva in New York. He authored: Responsa Igrot Moshe, Dibrot Moshe - Talmudic novellae and Darash Moshe - novellae on the Torah.
[1] leaf. 26.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks.

Lengthy letter (28 lines) pertaining to the laws of blessings, handwritten and signed by R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Jerusalem, Sivan 1976.
Approbation to the book Mekor HaBracha - laws of blessings, authored by R. Gavriel Krausz, head of Manchester Beit Din. In his letter, R. Shlomo Zalman adds several halachic notes on topics discussed in the book, including the question of the correct blessing to be recited on chocolate: "And behold, regarding chocolate, about which he asked me to review his writings, I already raised this point forty years ago, and I discussed it with leading Torah scholars, and I did not hear a satisfying answer on the matter". At the foot of the letter, R. Shlomo Zalman adds an important note offering a possible halachic basis for the prevalent practice of reciting the blessing of Shehakol on chocolate.
Background: R. Shlomo Zalman always queried why the blessing commonly recited on chocolate - which is manufactured from the fruit of the cocoa tree, is Shehakol and not Boreh Pri HaEtz. He first set forth his reservations in a lengthy letter (ca. 1936) to R. Tzvi Pesach Frank Rabbi of Jerusalem, in which he writes: "Regarding chocolate, which is commonly considered Shehakol, I discussed this with leading Torah scholars… and one should recite on it Boreh Pri HaEtz". The letter was printed in his book Responsa Minchat Shlomo (I, section 91, 2). The recipient of the current letter, R. Gavriel Krausz, discusses this topic at length in his book Mekor HaBracha, and he also queries the accepted practice of reciting Shehakol rather than Boreh Pri HaEtz. To which R. Shlomo Zalman responds in this letter that forty years earlier, he already researched the matter and discussed it with leading Torah scholars, yet "I did not hear a satisfying answer" (as to why the blessing of Shehakol is recited). Nevertheless, in a footnote to this letter, R. Shlomo Zalman explains briefly why there is nonetheless a halachic source for the accepted practice of reciting Shehakol on chocolate.
R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995) was the dean of the Kol Torah Yeshiva and leading posek of his times. Born in Jerusalem to R. Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach - dean of the Shaar HaShamayim yeshiva for kabbalists. He was a close disciple of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, who held him in great esteem and quotes his teachings in his book Even HaEzel. In 1935, at the young age of 24, he published his first book - Meorei Esh - regarding the use of electricity on Shabbat. The book earned the approbations of leading Torah scholars of the generation, including his teacher R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, R. Chaim Ozer Grodzensky and Rav Kook. In time, R. Shlomo Zalman became one of the leading poskim and the foremost authority in several halachic areas, such as medicine in halacha. His pleasant ways and refinement earned him the veneration of all sects of Orthodox Judaism. This was expressed at his funeral, which was attended by some 300,000 people.
[1] leaf. Official stationery. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.
This letter was printed at the beginning of the book Mekor HaBracha - laws of blessings, authored by the recipient of the letter, R. Gavriel Krausz.