Bidspirit auction | Historical Letter by the Gaon

Historical Letter by the Gaon Rabbi Isaac Sher the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka with a Blessing for Passover - Kovno Lithuania Nissan, 1927 - Historical letter with important moral content handwritten entirely (approx. 120 words) and signed by the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Sher, the Rosh Yeshiva of Knesset Yisrael Slabodka, the son-in-law ans successot of the Saba of Slabodka. Kovno, Lithuania, Nissa 8, 1927.  The letter is addressed to the famed Gaon Rabbi Yerachmiel Eliyahu Botchko and deals with the stablishment of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Montreux, Switzerland - a yeshiva that was eventually famed as one of the highlights of European yeshivas and which, during the Holocaust, served as a haven for many selected Lithuanian yeshiva student including Maran the Gaon Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman.  On Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1927, Rabbi Botchko - one of the leading disicples of the Saba of Novhardok - founded the yeshiva in Montreux. This letter indicates that he appealed to Rabbi Isaac Sher with a request to assist in the establishment of the yeshiva, and specifically, to send some of his selected students at the Slabodka Yeshiva to lay the foundations of the new institution.  The document reflects the magnanimity and generosity of the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka. Dollowing in the footsteps of his illustrious father-in-law, the Gaon Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel - the ”Saba of Slabodka”, who used to assist other yeshivas, claiming that fundraising solely for one's own institution is not ”upholding Torah in its purest form” - Rabbi Isaac Sher likewise displays a rare benevolence. Despite heading one of the most prominent yeshivas in Lithuania, he expresses a keen interest in aiding the establishment of the new yeshiva: both through practical advice drawn from his vast experience and by sending elite students from his own yeshiva (one of whom is mentioned by name in the letter) to take part in founding the yeshiva in Montreux. At the end, Rabbeinu blesses him: ”יצליחהו השי”ת להגדיל תורה ולהאדירה... ויתברך בחג כשר ושמח ...”. [1] leaf of paper. 28X21 cm. On official stationery, handwritten and signed by Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Sher.  Good condition. Aging stains. Fold lines. Minor tears along the folds, not affecting the text.  The Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Sher (1875-1942) one of the leading Rosh Yeshivas in his generations and one of the leaders of the Gadlut HaAdam school of the Mussar Movement. Was the son-in-law of the Saba of Slabodka and a disicple of the Gaon Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibovich, the author of the Birkat Shmuel. Served as the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka in Kovno. After the Holocaust, was one of the founders of the yeshiva in Bnei Berak. His granddaughter, the daughter of his son the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Sher who perished in the Holocaust, married Maran the Gaon Rabbi Dov Landau Shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka.  The addressee, the Gaon Rabbi Yerachmiel Eliyahu Botchko (1888-1956) the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of thew Etz Chaim Yeshiva of Montreux, Switzerland. A disipcle of the Saba of Novhardok. At the age of 23, he married the pious Mrs. Rivkah Sternbuch of Switzerland. Not wanting to earn their living from the Torah, the famlly engaged in trade.