Auction 83 - Part I - Rare and Important Items
Wide-margined copy. Copy of R. Yechezkel Landau, author of Noda BiYehuda, with a gloss in his handwriting.
His name (in his handwriting?) appears within the title page illustration (in Hebrew and Latin characters): "Yechezkel Landau – Ezeckiel Landau". At the top of the title page is an ownership inscription in his son's handwriting: "Belongs to my father... R. Yechezkel HaLevi Landau, rabbi here in Prague". On the last leaf (p. 82a) is another inscription in a different handwriting: "Belongs to the great luminary, the famous R. Yechezkel Segal Landau, rabbi of Prague". Many more Hebrew and German inscriptions appear on the endpapers, attesting that the book belonged to R. Yechezkel Landau, Rabbi of Prague.
On p. 31a, a long neat gloss, handwritten by the Noda BiYehuda, relating to a passage in Responsum 27 on the topic of the size of the gris (see below). This gloss was presumably never printed.
R. Yechezkel HaLevi Segal Landau (1713-1793) was a leading Halachic authority of all times, whom the entire Jewish nation relied upon. From a young age, he was renowned as a leading Torah scholar of his generation. From the age of 13 until 30, he resided in Brody, a thriving Torah center in those times, home to the celebrated Kloiz – Beit Midrash renowned for the study of all realms of Torah, and for the famous compositions on the Talmud, in Halachah and in Kabbalah which it produced. He served for about ten years as the rabbi of one of the four Batei Din in Brody. During his stay in Brody, he became close to the Kloiz scholars, including R. Chaim Sanzer and R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov). During those years, he studied the Arizal's writings together with R. Chaim Sanzer, a leading scholar in the Kloiz.
Ca. 1745, he went to serve as rabbi of Jampol, and in 1754, he began serving as rabbi of Prague and the region. In Prague, he led his community fearlessly, becoming a foremost leader of his generation. He established a large yeshiva there, in which he educated thousands of disciples, including many of the leaders of that generation (his disciple R. Elazar Fleckeles, author of Teshuva MeAhavah, eulogized him: "He edified several thousands of disciples, including hundreds of rabbis and dayanim"; Olat HaChodesh HaShlishi, 17, p. 85a). Thousands of questions were addressed to him from far-flung places. Approximately 850 of his responsa were published in Noda BiYehuda. His books published in his lifetime, Responsa Noda BiYehuda – Mahadura Kama, and Tzelach on Tractates Pesachim and Berachot, earned him worldwide fame already then (Noda BiYehuda – Mahadura Tinyana, printed after his passing, Prague 1811, includes hundreds of his responsa to questions about his first book, addressed to him from various places).
The Chida in Shem HaGedolim greatly praises the book Noda BiYehuda as well as its author, describing him as an exceptionally outstanding Torah scholar who disseminated much Torah through his books and disciples, and mentions the acuity and extensive Torah wisdom apparent in his responsa and books. The Noda BiYehuda himself wrote in a responsum regarding one of his novellae, that in his opinion it is a true Torah thought (Even HaEzer, Mahadura Tinyana, section 23, 2). The Chatam Sofer relates to this responsum in one of his responsa (Part II, Even HaEzer, section 95): "The words of G-d are in his mouth, truth".
The author of the book, R. Yonah Landsofer (1678-1712), was a leading rabbi in Prague in the generation preceding the Noda BiYehuda. Died at the young age of 34. This book of responsa was the first of his compositions to be published, after his death. Among the approbations at the beginning of the book is a long approbation by the Noda BiYehuda and his Beit Din. R. Yonah instructed in his will that his book should be printed anonymously, and indeed, his name does not appear on the title page or in the introduction. However, the Noda BiYehuda reveals the author's name in his approbation: "Although the author modestly concealed his name... he is clearly the great Torah scholar... the famous pious genius R. Yonah Landsofer...".
Responsum 27, to which the Noda BiYehuda added a gloss in this copy, is a well-known responsum of the Me'il Tzedakah, being the first to calculate the size of the gris used in the laws of niddah. This responsum features several sketches, including sketches demonstrating the size of the gris according to the calculations of the Me'il Tzedakah. The Me'il Tzedakah's measurement of a gris became accepted by most leading poskim. The Chatam Sofer wrote that after much effort and study, he found this measurement to be correct. The Noda BiYehuda also agreed with R. Landsofer, as his disciple wrote in his name in the book Teshuva MeAhavah (III, 365).
[6], 82 leaves. 26.5 cm. Wide margins. Good condition. Stains. Tears to endpapers and to several other leaves. Repaired tear to bottom of title page, not affecting text. Hole in the upper margin of all leaves, not affecting text. Stamps. New leather binding.
The certificate was accorded to R. David son of R. Yitzchak Eizek Bindeles of Prague, granting him the title "Morenu HaRav".
Written by a scribe, the letter concludes: "So are the words of one who is engaged in Torah and worship of G-d, together with the rabbis of the Beit Din here in Prague on Sunday, 3rd Sivan 1760". This is followed by the handwritten signature of the Noda BiYehuda: "One who speaks in honor of the Torah and those who learn it, Yechezkel Segal Landau".
The signature of the Noda BiYehuda is followed by that of the dayanim of his Beit Din, leading Prague Torah scholars: "Yehuda Leib Kassowitz of Prague" – R. Leib Kassowitz (Rassowitz; d. 1783), head of the Beit Din during the time of the Noda BiYehuda; "Yitzchak Wolf son of R. Aharon Austerlitz Segal" – R. Yitzchak Binyamin Wolf Austerlitz (d. 1762), close disciple of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, dean of the Prague yeshiva and rabbi of the Chatzer HaGadol synagogue in Prague, one of the first signatories on the rabbinic appointment of the Noda BiYehuda; "Meir son of R. F. Bomsela" – R. Meir son of R. Fishel (Fischels) Bomsela (d. 1770), disciple and associate of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, served as head of the Prague Beit Din during the time of the Noda BiYehuda, dean of the Prague yeshiva for forty years, most of the Prague Torah scholars were his disciples; "Asher Anshel son of R. Baruch Osers" – R. Ascher Anschel Osers (d. 1765), a Prague Torah scholar and dayan in the Beit Din of the Noda BiYehuda; "Shlomo Zalman son of R. Gumpel Emerich" – R. Shlomo Zalman Emerich (d. 1794), disciple of R. Netanel Weill author of Korban Netanel, rabbi of the Maisel synagogue in Prague, dayan in the Prague Beit Din, and head of the Beit Din from 1793, author of Shisha Zironei Aruga (Prague 1789).
R. Yechezkel HaLevi Segal Landau (1713-1793) was a leading Halachic authority of all times, whom the entire Jewish nation relied upon. From a young age, he was renowned as a leading Torah scholar of his generation. From the age of 13 until 30, he resided in Brody, a thriving Torah center in those times, home to the celebrated Kloiz – Beit Midrash renowned for the study of all realms of Torah, and for the famous compositions on the Talmud, in Halachah and in Kabbalah which it produced. He served for about ten years as the rabbi of one of the four Batei Din in Brody. During his stay in Brody, he became close to the Kloiz scholars, including R. Chaim Sanzer and R. Gershon of Kitov (brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov). During those years, he studied the Arizal's writings together with R. Chaim Sanzer, a leading scholar in the Kloiz.
Ca. 1745, he went to serve as rabbi of Jampol, and in 1754, he began serving as rabbi of Prague and the region. In Prague, he led his community fearlessly, becoming a foremost leader of his generation. He established a large yeshiva there, in which he educated thousands of disciples, including many of the leaders of that generation (his disciple R. Elazar Fleckeles, author of Teshuva MeAhavah, eulogized him: "He edified several thousands of disciples, including hundreds of rabbis and dayanim"; Olat HaChodesh HaShlishi, 17, p. 85a). Thousands of questions were addressed to him from far-flung places. Approximately 850 of his responsa were published in Noda BiYehuda. His books published in his lifetime, Responsa Noda BiYehuda – Mahadura Kama, and Tzelach on Tractates Pesachim and Berachot, earned him worldwide fame already then (Noda BiYehuda – Mahadura Tinyana, printed after his passing, Prague 1811, includes hundreds of his responsa to questions about his first book, addressed to him from various places).
The Chida in Shem HaGedolim greatly praises the book Noda BiYehuda as well as its author, describing him as an exceptionally outstanding Torah scholar who disseminated much Torah through his books and disciples, and mentions the acuity and extensive Torah wisdom apparent in his responsa and books. The Noda BiYehuda himself wrote in a responsum regarding one of his novellae, that in his opinion it is a true Torah thought (Even HaEzer, Mahadura Tinyana, section 23, 2). The Chatam Sofer relates to this responsum in one of his responsa (Part II, Even HaEzer, section 95): "The words of G-d are in his mouth, truth".
[1] double leaf. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding mark.
In his letter, R. Moshe Zacuto relates to his disciple R. Binyamin HaKohen that he has resolved to immigrate to Eretz Israel, and that there are those who are trying to dissuade him from taking this step: "For the last three weeks, many letters have been sent to me from individuals as well as leaders of the Amsterdam community, pleading me to serve as their rabbi and offering a high salary, and they even wrote to R. Shmuel Aboab that he should try to convince me to fulfill their wishes. I responded to all of them on the same lines – that I yearn for the Holy City. Also from the Venice community, some of my disciples came to entice me to return to them, and I dismissed them all with good words and they left in peace...". R. Moshe Zacuto writes that he has yet to inform the leaders of the Mantuan community of his decision, since he is waiting to know whether it is possible to safely cross the pirate-ridden sea. Meanwhile, he is holding on to his present position, in case his plans to immigrate do not materialize. R. Moshe Zacuto also mentions in this letter his intentions to establish a yeshiva in Jerusalem, and writes that he revealed this to his associate R. Shlomo Rocca of Urbino, who has started soliciting support for the yeshiva.
This letter reveals the great affection of R. Moshe Zacuto for his disciple R. Binyamin HaKohen (see below). The letter opens with warm expressions of his fondness for R. Binyamin, and concludes with rhymed prayers and wishes, signed: "Mantua, one who loves you like a father, Moshe Zacuto, 47th day of the Omer".
It is known that R. Moshe Zacuto attempted to reach Eretz Israel three times. Already when he left Amsterdam in 1644, he planned on settling in Eretz Israel, but he was retained on the way by the rabbis of Venice and acceded to their requests to serve as rabbi of the city. He later made a second attempt to immigrate in 1670, informing his disciples of his departure, and actually taking leave from them. Yet for reasons unknown to us, he remained in Venice. Ten years later, in 1680, he again began preparations to set out for Eretz Israel, and his disciple R. Binyamin HaKohen asked to accompany him. The present letter was written in Mantua (which R. Moshe Zacuto reached in 1673), and is presumably related to his third attempt to immigrate to Eretz Israel in 1680. This plan too was not ultimately realized.
To the best of our knowledge, the present letter was hitherto unpublished (following the opening line, there is an inscription in Italian script, by a different writer: "Copied but not published"). This letter was also not mentioned by the biographers of R. Moshe Zacuto (see: G. Scholem, LiShe'elat Yachasam shel Rabbanei Yisrael el HaShabta'ut, Zion 13-14 [1948-1949], pp. 57-58; Avraham Naftali Tzvi Roth, Al Tochniot HaAliyah shel R. Moshe Zacut VeTalmido R. Binyamin HaKohen BiShnat 5440, Zion 15 [1950], pp. 146-149; Benayahu, Dor Echad BaAretz, Jerusalem 1988, pp. 338-339. Roth published in his article a later letter from R. Moshe Zacuto to R. Binyamin HaKohen, in which he announces to him the cancellation of his trip to Eretz Israel, as a result of the great pressure exercised on him not to abandon the Mantua community).
The Remez – R. Moshe Zacuto (1612-1697), outstanding Torah scholar and holy kabbalist. He was one of the transmitters of the Arizal's kabbalah in Italy and Europe. Born in Amsterdam, he later studied there under R. Shaul Morteira. He was also a disciple in Torah and kabbalah of R. Yitzchak of Posen and R. Elchanan of Vilna. He received his main education in kabbalah from R. Binyamin HaLevi, a disciple of the Arizal. The Chida in Shem HaGedolim writes that he had a heavenly maggid, and R. Gur Aryeh HaLevi of Mantua testified that he heard the angel speaking to him. He served as rabbi of Venice together with R. Azariah Piccio, and later of Mantua from 1673 until his passing on Sukkot 1697 (year of the birth of the Baal Shem Tov). He authored: Responsa of R. Moshe Zacuto, Kol HaRemez on Mishnayot, Iggerot HaRemez, Shuda DeDayanei, commentary on the Zohar, Tofteh Aruch, Yesod Olam, Tikkun Shovavim, and more. He composed numerous piyyutim and compiled many kabbalistic prayer orders and tikkunim, recited until this day.
R. Moshe Zacuto was the main channel through which the teachings of the Arizal reached Europe. He examined, clarified and corrected the many compositions of the Arizal's teachings which he obtained, until he reached the most precise text (see: R. Yosef Avivi, "Solet Nekiyya" - Rabbi Moses Zacuto's Sifter, Pe'amim 96 [2003], pp. 71-106). The Beit Midrash of R. Moshe Zacuto was an important source of accurate and reliable transcripts of the writings of the Arizal, produced under the supervision and guidance of R. Moshe Zacuto, who thus disseminated kabbalah amongst his disciples and through them to other kabbalists (see: R. Yosef Avivi, Kabbalat HaAri, II, p. 724 onwards).
When his first plans to immigrate to Eretz Israel failed, R. Moshe Zacuto settled in Venice and decided to teach the Arizal's kabbalah to a group of elite disciples, and through them disseminate kabbalah in Italy, seeing it as a protection and antidote against the foreign winds blowing at that time. Two of his foremost disciples were R. Binyamin HaKohen Vitali and R. Avraham Rovigo. When his disciples were compelled to part from him (R. Avraham Rovigo settled in Modena and R. Binyamin HaKohen in Alessandria), they began exchanging letters regularly, in accordance with the wish of R. Moshe Zacuto to continue guiding them and teaching them by correspondence. R. Moshe Zacuto encouraged his disciples to write to him at all times, and sent them many reply letters (several of these letters were published in Iggerot HaRemez, Livorno 1780, from copyings produced by R. Binyamin HaKohen).
R. Moshe Zacuto was particularly attached to his disciple R. Binyamin HaKohen, and he showed him tremendous affection. He drew him close, taught him most of his Torah, and rabbinically ordained him. He would conclude his letters to him with a declaration of his fatherly love for him: "as a father placates his son". In the present letter as well, he signs with a similar expression "one who love you like a father".
R. Binyamin HaKohen later became one of the leading Italian kabbalists in his times, and was also renowned as a prominent halachic authority. Just like his teacher, he copied and disseminated the writings of the Arizal. His son-in-law, R. Yeshayahu Bassan, was the famous teacher of the Ramchal. In his final years, R. Binyamin HaKohen corresponded with the Ramchal. In one of his letters, the Ramchal refers to him as "the leader of the Jewish tribes".
Recipient's address on verso, handwritten by R. Moshe Zacuto – "...R. Biniamin Coen", with his wax seal, featuring a Star of David.
[1] double leaf. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Minor marginal tears and wear.
Notebook of R. Ben Tzion Avraham Koenka of Jerusalem, editor of HaMe'asef, containing lists of subscribers from his trip to the United States in 1902, with dozens of letters of support and signatures of rabbis and community leaders in the United States, as well as letters from rabbis of Poland and Eretz Israel. United States, 1902-1903; Poland and Eretz Israel, 1898-1902.
The present notebook contains both recommendations and signatures of subscribers to the HaMe'asef anthology compiled by R. Koenka, including dozens of letters from rabbis and gabbaim of synagogues and congregations throughout New York. It serves as an important documentation of American Jewry at the turn of the 20th century. The notebook includes letters of support from leading American rabbis of those times: R. Chaim Yaakov Widrewitz of Moscow, chief rabbi of America; R. Shalom Elchanan HaLevi Yaffe – rabbi of Beth Medrash HaGadol in New York; R. Yehoshua Seigal – rabbi of the United Israelite Congregation of New York; R. Shmuel Tzvi Wein – rabbi of Vizhon; R. Avraham Eliezer Alperstein; R. Aharon Gordon – rabbi in New York; R. David Radinsky – rabbi of Beth Medrash HaGodol in Brownsville, New York; R. Shimon Yitzchak Finkelstein - rabbi of Brownsville; and others (see below).
Pasted at the beginning of the notebook are four letters from rabbis of Poland and Eretz Israel, recommending the HaMe'asef anthology and its editor R. Ben Tzion Avraham Koenka: • letter of recommendation from the Rishon LeTzion, rabbi of Jerusalem R. Yaakov Shaul Elyashar (official stationery, with signature-stamp of R. Yaakov Shaul). Jerusalem, Adar I 1902. • Letter of recommendation from R. Rachamim Yosef Franco, rabbi of Hebron. Cheshvan 1898. • Letter of recommendation from R. Yosef Levenstein Rabbi of Seratsk (Serock, Poland). Kislev 1899. • Postcard with letter of recommendation from R. Tzvi Yechezkel Michelsohn, rabbi of Płońsk (Poland). Tishrei 1898.
Various notes handwritten by R. Ben Tzion Avraham Koenka on the first and final leaves and on other pages.
R. Ben Tzion Avraham Koenka (1867-1936), leading Sephardi Torah scholar in Jerusalem. Dayan and posek in Jerusalem and Hebron. He was the founder and editor of the periodical HaMe'asef which was published in Jerusalem from Tammuz 1896 until Tishrei 1914. HaMe'asef became the central forum for discussions on halachic questions and Talmudic topics, with the participation of rabbis worldwide: rabbis of Poland and Hungary, alongside rabbis of Egypt and Iraq; rabbis of Eretz Israel and Turkey, alongside rabbis of the United States and England. In 1899-1907, R. Koenka travelled several times as an emissary to various countries (India and Iraq, Egypt and North Africa, Greece and France). During the course of these missions, R. Koenka raised funds for the communal institutions in Jerusalem, and worked to promote the HaMe'asef anthology he had founded (HaMe'asef continued appearing regularly even during his travels, under the care of his deputies, the heads of the editorial staff in Jerusalem).
In spring 1902, R. Koenka travelled to the United States, remaining there for close to a year. The trip garnered more contributions to the anthology from rabbis in the United States, as well as new subscribers.
Notebook, over [64] written pages. 15 cm. With 4 letters of varying size pasted in notebook. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Tears to some letters. Original cloth binding.
Rabbis and Congregations in New York at the Turn of the 20th Century
The present notebook offers a wealth of information on New York Jewry at the turn of the 20th century. It provides many details about rabbis, gabbaim, and presidents of various communities throughout the city of New York, and about the various synagogues and congregations ("Chevrah") made up of immigrants originating from specific communities and countries, operating in the city.
The notebook contains letters signed (and stamped) by rabbis and gabbaim of various synagogues and congregations in New York, including:
R. Chaim Yaakov Widrewitz of Moscow, chief rabbi of America; R. Shalom Elchanan HaLevi Yaffe, rabbi of Beth Medrash HaGadol in New York; R. Aharon Broude, rabbi of the Anshei Volozhin synagogue in New York; R. Avraham Yitzchak Fein; R. Yehoshua Seigal, rabbi of the United Israelite Congregation of New York; R. Shmuel Tzvi Wein (rabbi of Vizhon), New York; R. Yosef Yitzchak Lefkowitz of Congregation Shaarey Zion; R. Tzvi Hirsch Lass, "rabbi of Jieznas, currently dayan and posek in New York"; R. Aryeh Leib Binkowitz, author of Rishon LeTzion, Maon Aryeh and Nehamat Aryeh; R. Aharon Gordon, rabbi and posek in New York; R. Shabtai Sofer, author of Shaarei De'ah on Hilchot De'ot by the Rambam; R. Baruch Cohen of Braynsk; R. Avraham Eliezer Alperstein; R. Yehuda David Bernstein; R. Moshe Weinberger, rabbi of the Hungarian Congregation Beth HaMedrash HaGodol, and R. Ze'ev Wolf Weinberger, scribe of the congregation; R. Yitzchak Leib Kadushin, rabbi and dean in Minsk; R. Chaim Moshe Kamenetzky, rabbi of Congregation Nachlath Zevi on 114th Street, New York; R. Baruch Ze'ev Moost; Khal Adath Jeshurun synagogue; Bnei Emeth – Marijampolė synagogue; Khal Adath Zichru Torath Moshe synagogue; R. Moshe Chaim Rabinowitz of Brownsville; R. Joseph Horowitz – rabbi of Anshei Sfard of Austria and Hungary; R. Avraham Chaim Charlap; Mishkan Yisrael – Anshei Suvalk synagogue; Rishon LeTzion – Anshei Yerushalayim Beit Midrash; R. Moshe Wexler, head of the Brit Shalom Beit Din in New York; Kol Yisrael – Anshei Polin Beit Midrah; R. Yeshaya Shlomo Rishpan of Przedbórz; R. Shabtai Rosenberg, rabbi of Kehillot Yisrael; Chevrat Mishnayot – Anshei Slutsk; Shaarei Torah Beit Midrash; Chayei Adam – Anshei Lomza; Congregation Sons of Israel - Kalwarier; Tiferet Bachurim congregation; R. David Radinsky rabbi of the Brownsville Great Synagogue, New York; R. Shimon Yitzchak Finkelstein, rabbi of Brownsville; Ahavat Gerim congregation; and other subscribers and signatories.
Large collection (approx. 140 items) arranged in chronological order, providing comprehensive documentation of the polemic (see below). The collection includes open letters, leaflets, booklets, invitations to conferences, and more. All the items are printed.
The collection includes: • Announcements from the community board. • Campaign material and invitations to meetings of Das Wahl-Komitee für die Kandidatur des Herrn Rabbiner Dr. Raphael Breuer (The election committee of the candidacy of Rabbi Dr. Raphael Breuer) and from Das Aktionskomitee für die Wahl des Herrn Rabbiner Dr. Klein (The action committee for the election of Rabbi Dr. Klein). • Ballot inscribed "Rabbi Dr. Refael Breuer of Aschaffenburg". • Campaign material from various figures (some using pen names), including: R. Yosef Breuer of Frankfurt; R. Refael Breuer Rabbi of Aschaffenburg; R. Avraham Yitzchak Klein of Nuremberg; the dayan R. Gershon Posen of Frankfurt; R. Yaakov Rosenheim of Frankfurt; R. Yosef Tzvi Carlebach Rabbi of Altona; R. Yonah Bondi Rabbi of Mainz; "A true admirer of the late rabbi"; "Some community members"; "An elder who foresees the future"; "One person on behalf of hundreds of anonymous persons"; "A simple member of the people"; "A Jew from the East".
This collection was assembled in Frankfurt at the time of the polemic, by one Mr. Heidingsfeld; some of the personal invitations (to meetings or elections) bear his name. Dates inscribed by Mr. Heidingsfeld on some items.
The majority of the material can be divided into three periods: March-May 1927; August-September 1928; April-September 1929.
The earliest document in this collection is a leaflet dated 29th July 1926 (less than two weeks after the passing of the rabbi of the community, R. Shlomo Zalman Breuer) – protest against "unrespectful and totally unfitting propaganda" regarding the rabbinate publicized already during the shivah. Signed in print: "A large number of community members".
Some of the documents pertain to the appointment of R. Yosef Yonah Tzvi Horowitz of Unsdorf (who ultimately received the position of the Frankfurt rabbinate). The collection also includes five typewritten leaves – copyings of three letters from R. Horowitz to an unknown recipient (without opening and concluding lines). These letters, in which R. Horowitz presents his views on the approach of R. Shimshon Refael Hirsch's community, were written (in Unsdorf, 1926) several years before his appointment. They were presumably copied in the context of his appointment as rabbi of the Frankfurt community. The latest document in the archive is the program of R. Horowitz's appointment ceremony (on 26th September 1929), at which point the affair finally came to an end.
R. Shimshon Refael Hirsch was succeeded in his capacity as rabbi of Khal Adath Jeshurun in Frankfurt by his son-in-law, R. Shlomo Zalman Breuer. After R. Breuer's passing, in July 1926, a fierce dispute broke out regarding who should serve as his successor. At first, the son of R. Breuer – Rabbi Dr. Refael Breuer of Aschaffenburg was proposed as a suitable candidate to the rabbinate, as per his father's will, yet a group of community notables, including R. Yaakov Rosenheim, categorically opposed this appointment. After some discussion, it was decided to hold elections, and a second candidate was proposed to run alongside R. Refael Breuer – Rabbi Dr. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen (Arnold) Klein of Nuremberg. At a certain point, R. Klein removed his candidacy, following the involvement of the elderly dayan of Frankfurt, R. Gershon Posen, who felt that the wishes of the late R. Breuer should be respected and his son should be appointed in his stead. Even after R. Klein removed his candidacy, the polemic did not subside and the opposition against R. Breuer persisted. The fierce polemic surrounding the position persisted for several years, with both sides issuing manifestos and circulars, and holding various conferences and meetings. The polemic ended in 1929 with the appointment of R. Yosef Yonah Horowitz of Unsdorf (who was not one of the original candidates for the position). For more information on the affair, see: Yehuda Ben-Avner, Polemic Surrounding the Rabbinate of Adath Jeshurun in Frankfurt am Main in the 20th Century, Sinai 106, Jerusalem 1990, pp. 72-79 (many documents from the present collection were not at his disposition at the time of writing the article; he wrote for instance that "in July 1926… Dr. Breuer passed away. The polemic surrounding the choice of successor presumably began immediately, yet no documentation to that effect was found… until March 1927", while the present archive contains a document on this matter from end of July 1926); Dr. Marc Shapiro, The Disagreement Concerning the Frankfurt Rabbinate: A Look from Within, Beloved Words (Milin Havivin) 3, New York 2007, pp. 26-33.
Approx. 140 paper items (duplicate copies of a few documents). Size varies. Overall good condition.
The letters are typewritten, with signatures and additional blessings handwritten by R. Aharon Kotler. Four of the letters are in Hebrew, and pertain to fundraising on behalf of the Lakewood yeshiva. The fifth letter is in English, and contains a recommendation and confirmation of study for the yeshiva student Kalman Gruman.
R. Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), disciple of the Alter of Slabodka, and a prominent, outstanding Torah scholar (while he was still a young student, the Or Same'ach predicted that he would be the "R. Akiva Eger" of the next generation). He was the son-in-law of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. He served as lecturer and dean of the Slutsk yeshiva, and during WWI, he fled with the yeshiva students to Poland, reestablishing the yeshiva in Kletsk. He was one of the yeshiva deans closely associated with R. Chaim Ozer and the Chafetz Chaim. A founder of Vaad HaYeshivot and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Lithuania. During the Holocaust, he escaped to the United States, and established the famous Lakewood yeshiva in New Jersey (a yeshiva which changed the face of the yeshiva world in the United States, by inculcating its students with the passion and absolute devotion to Torah study, which was typical of Lithuanian yeshivot). He was one of the heads of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in the United States, and of Merkaz Chinuch HaAtzma’i in Eretz Israel.
5 letters, on official stationery. Approx. 26-28 cm. Overall good condition. Stains, wear and folding marks.