Bidspirit auction | Four Pages of Chiddushei Torah

Four Pages of Chiddushei Torah in the Handwriting of Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman * A particularly long handwritten and autographed letter of Torah chiddushim — four full pages — with halachic discussions on yibum and chalitzah, by Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman. In the sugyos of yibum and chalitzah, Rabbi Elchonon is considered the foremost authority in the yeshiva world, and his sefer Kovetz He’aros is a sefer yesod for the study of Maseches Yevamos. At the end of the letter, he writes with humility: ”All this I have written merely for the sake of pilpul, but as for the practical halachic ruling, I will not issue any decision at all, for I have never reached the level of hora’ah. It would be fitting for your honor to bring the question in practice before the veteran posek of our generation, the esteemed Gaon Rabbi Chaim Ozer, may he live, of Vilna.” He also notes that he sent Rabbi Dovid Potash a parcel containing copies of Kovetz He’aros, concluding with a heartfelt blessing: ”May he and all that is his be blessed with a life of happiness, blessing, and all good forever.” Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman Hy”d (1875–1941) served as Rosh Yeshiva of Ohel Torah in Baranovitch and was a leading Torah figure in prewar Lithuania. He was one of the principal founders of the lomdus style that defines Lithuanian yeshivos to this day. In addition to his Torah genius, he served as the right hand of the Chofetz Chaim in guarding the foundations of Torah Judaism, and he acted with courage and without fear. Baranovitch, c. 1936. Four leaves (written on one side), written on the reverse of official stationery of Ohel Torah Yeshiva – Baranovitch. Size: 22×28 cm. Condition: Good. Sent to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kasher, author of Torah Shelemah, and first published in the journal he issued Noam, Vol. 25, Jerusalem 1983, pp. 19–21. Rabbi Elchonon’s teshuva was written in response to Rabbi Kasher’s comprehensive study on the mitzvah of yibum in our times, see Shu”t Divrei Menachem, Vol. 1, Siman 31.