Letter handwritten and signed by R. "Avraham Simcha son of R. Nachman", Mstislaw (Amtchislav), Shevat [1862].
Torah responsum addressed to "the grandson of my uncle… R. Chaim". The responsum was presumably sent to the young Torah scholar, R. Chaim Berlin son of the Netziv (who was a grandson of R. Yitzchak of Volozhin, cousin of R. Avraham Simcha). The contents of the letter indicate that it was part of an ongoing correspondence.
R. Avraham Simcha relates to a letter from R. Chaim, which attempts to resolve a difficulty in the Ran on Tractate Avoda Zara regarding cooking with Orlah peels, in contradiction with an explicit Mishnah in Tractate Orlah. R. Avraham Simcha rejects his response, explaining that the Ran simply overlooked the Mishnah, something that happened even to Torah scholars mentioned in the Talmud (this question on the Ran is discussed in a few places in the writings of R. Chaim Berlin – see enclosed material).
R. Avraham Simcha Rabbi of Amtchislav (ca. 1795-1864), a prominent Torah scholar in his times. Nephew and close disciple (both in revealed Torah and in kabbalah) of R. Chaim of Volozhin. He was regarded as one of the Torah leaders of his generation already in his youth, and in the final years of his prominent uncle, he assisted him in lecturing in the Volozhin yeshiva, acting as deputy Rosh Yeshiva (in the Volozhin yeshiva, the dean traditionally lectured on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while his assistant delivered the lectures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). After the passing of R. Chaim of Volozhin in 1821, and the appointment of his son R. Itzele of Volozhin as dean in his place, R. Avraham Simcha retained his position as lecturer in the yeshiva, and continued assisting the dean in directing the yeshiva. R. Avraham Simcha was also one of the editors of the book Nefesh HaChaim (his name is mentioned in the approbations and forewords to the book). After the great fire in Volozhin in 1827, which consumed most of R. Avraham Simcha's writings, he went to serve as rabbi of Rakow, and later of Bichov-Yashan (Bykhaw, Belarus). In 1839, he was appointed rabbi of Amtchislav, where he gained renown as a Torah leader of his times. His responsa work Binyan shel Simcha (Vilna, 1869) was published after his passing, by his son R. Yosef Chaim. The present responsum was not published in his book, and to the best of our knowledge was never published.
R. Avraham Simcha was known for his comprehensive knowledge of kabbalah and the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, which he absorbed from his prominent uncle R. Chaim of Volozhin. The latter guided him in the study of kabbalah, and instructed him on practical kabbalah, segulot and amulet writing. R. Avraham Simcha's amulets were passed down from generation to generation, including the renowned "verified" amulet for women experiencing a difficult labor which was in the possession of the Tzadik of Jerusalem R. Aryeh Levin and his son R. Refael Levin. With the guidance of his eminent uncle, R. Avraham Simcha served as a wonder-worker, through prayers and segulot, and many would turn to R. Avraham Simcha with requests to pray from sick people, barren women, and the like.
In the conclusion of the present letter, he apparently relates to such a request from R. Chaim, as he writes: "I have met his request… may the One who hears prayers fulfill his request for the good and for blessing, and may he receive peace and blessing… Avraham Simcha son of R. Nachman".
At the foot of the letter, R. Avraham Simcha added (in a different ink) an interesting note regarding the aforementioned request: "I stopped praying a few days ago, since I am concerned that it is after 40 days" (see Berachot f. 54, and Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, section 230, regarding praying for something which has already occurred, such as praying for a male child after 40 days into the pregnancy, which is considered a prayer in vain).
[1] leaf, 11 autograph lines. Approx. 11X17 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears and wear. Folding marks. Tape repairs on verso of letter.