Bidspirit auction | Important Halachic Response by Maran

Important Halachic Response by Maran Rabbi Ovadya Yosef - Jerusalem Nissan, 1976 - Important and thorough Halachic Response on blessing Borei Pri HaGafen over each one of the Four Cups of Leil Haseder, by the leader of Sepjardic Jewy Maran the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Ovadya Yosef. Jerusalem eve of Pesach, 1976.  The response addresses the dispute among the Poskim regarding whether one must recite the blessing of Borei Peri HaGafen over each of the Four Cups, or if the blessing over the first cup exempts the subsequent ones. Maran, renowned for his immense knowledge of all fields of the Torah, to the point that it was said no contemporary matched his mastery of the entire Torah, cites in this letter all the opinions of Poskim throughout the generations [dozens of views!]. This was written long before the invention of the personal computer or search engines, yet it spans the views of the Geonim through the very latest Achronim. Since the Halachah discussed in this letter is subject to differing customs among the various Jewish communities - Ashkenazim recite the blessing over every single cup, while Sephardim recite it only over some - Maran introduces his Halachic worldview: that when a dispute exists between communities, there is no need to adopt the Chumra of the more rigorous group. Rather, each community should preserve its own tradition, following the principle of ”Nahara Nahara U'Pashtei” (each river follows its own course). These are his words: ”ומרן השולחן ערוך פסק שאין לברך אלא על כוס ראשון ושלישי, משום ספק ברכות להקל, וכן מנהג הספרדים. אבל מנהג אחינו האשכנזים... לברך בפה”ג על כל כוס וכוס... ולכן כל עדה תאחז במנהג שנהגו מקדמת דנא” These words by Maran refers only to the Ashkenazim. To the Yemenites, he recommends to adopt the custom of the Sephardim, writing:  ”וכן יש מהעדה התימנית שנהגו [כמנהג האשכנזים]... ומכל מקום טוב שגם אחינו התימנים יאמצו להם את מנהגי הספרדים בארץ ישראל” ! The letter is made of two parts: the first is typewritten; between the lines, there are glosses and additions handwritten by Maran. On the margins of the letter, Maran taped a separate addition including more than 300 words handwritten by him, expnading his response and clarifying the Halachah.  A rare letter documenting the foundational Halachic view of the leader of Sephardic Jewry on one of the central Mitzvot of Leil Haseder. It is an important source for understanding Maran's approach - to preserved the traditions of the different Jewish communities yet also to recommend the adoption of Sephardic customs when possible.  28X21 cm. Official stationery,   Very good condition. The lower part was gently  taped to the upper one with non-acid tape which does not damage the paper.