Lengthy letter (2 pages) handwritten by "the Tzaddik of Jerusalem", R. Aryeh Levin. Jerusalem, Tamuz 1958.

Addressed to R. Yechezkel Abramsky, head rabbi of the London Beit Din and a leader of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah in Eretz Israel. The letter was written in the midst of a worldwide struggle against the building of a mixed swimming pool in Jerusalem.

R. Aryeh asks R. Abramsky to forgive him for what had been characterized as his attempt to compromise before asking the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, stating that R. Yechezkel Sarna had asked him to attempt to influence the Herut party not to give a permit for a mixed swimming pool without a separation between the genders, but he had not yet been briefed on what he was to demand of them. He adds that he was unaware of the details, as he avoids protests. He goes on to quote a letter he received from the party.

R. Aryeh reports on the negotiations, after his participation in the protest against the pool. He met with two activists who asked him to have Menachem Begin influence the party in question, quoting his answer. He ends with a blessing for the leaders of the Jewish people to join together, adding that he would never do any act of his own accord, and concludes with his signature.

The "Tzaddik of Jerusalem" R. Aryeh Levin (1885-1969), excelled in Torah and in charitable deeds. He served as the spiritual director and supervisor of the Etz Chaim Torah school. An alumnus of Lithuanian yeshivot Hlusk, Slutsk, Volozhin and the Torat Chaim yeshiva in Jerusalem, he was a cherished disciple of the leading Torah scholars of the generation: R. Refael Shapiro of Volozhin, R. Chaim Berlin, R. Shlomo Elyashiv the Leshem, R. Baruch Ber Leibowitz, R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, his brother-in-law R. Tzvi Pesach Frank and R. Yitzchak Ze'ev Soloveitchik of Brisk. He immigrated to Jerusalem in his youth and married the granddaughter of the head of the Jerusalem Beit Din, R. Chaim Yaakov Shapira. He was renowned for his dedication to acts of benevolence. He was a beloved friend to one and all, wholeheartedly sharing the difficulties and joys of his brethren. During the British Mandate he would regularly visit the prisoners in the British jails in order to encourage them, and he was known as the "rabbi of the prisoners". He was a beloved figure among all strata of society in Eretz Israel, regardless of their religious orientation, including many of the militants (of Lehi and the Irgun) who were close with him before the State of Israel was formed. He lent an ear to all and had true love for each and every one of his fellow Jews.

[1] leaf. 20 cm. Written on both sides. Good condition. Folding marks and creases.