Bidspirit auction | Letter of Condolences by the
Letter of Condolences by the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik for the Passing of the HaRav HaNazir - Rare and touching letter of condolences handwritten and signed by the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik - one of the greatest leaders of Modern Orthodoxy in the USA and the Rosh yeshiva of Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan (Yeshiva Unicersity), to Rabbi She'ar Yashuv Hacohen, for the passing of his father, the Gaon and Mekubal Rabbi David Hacohen - HaRav HaNazir. Elul, 1972. Using poetic language like his forefathers from Brisk, Rabbi Solovaitchik laments the passing of HaRav Hanazir. In his words, he portrayes the figure of HaRav HaNazir as a towering intellectual and spiritual figure. The letter is thus a documents of lamentation and reverence alike, expressing the sense of the Torah world due ot the passing of such a unique and wonderous figure. /גדול היה בידיעותיו ובקיאותו בתורת א'[לוקיו] /גדול היה במידותיו התרומיות /גדול היה בקדושתו - בקדושת החיים /גדול היה בנזרו נזר א' שעל ראשו” ?מי יתן לנו חכם כמותו שלא היה רבב בבגדו ובאופיו /מי יתן לנו אדם גדול כמותו, סמל המוסר והצניעות המתונה ?מי יתן לנו את העמקות והפשטות והחסד שנתרכזו בנשמתו [1] aerogram, 30 cm. Handwriting and original signature of Rabbi Soloveitchik. Very good condition. Enclosed are [2] letters in a foreign language, apparently letters of condolences to the same addressee. Their contetn was not studied by us. *** The Gaon Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik (1903-1993) the son of the Gaon Rabbi Moshe, the son of the Gaon Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, the son of the Beit Halevi. One of the leading philosophers of the recent generation who combined Brisker Geonut and deep philosohical thought. Had a crucial influence on the Torah world of the USA and Israel. Was one of the leaders of Modern Orthodoxy in the USA who deeply influenced religious Zionism and the religious-academic world. The addressee, Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef She'ar Yashuv Hacohen (1928-2016) the Asheknazi Rav of Haifa for dozens of years. The son of HaRav Hanazir. Was known for his activity for inter-religious dialogue. Supported the study of the Yerushalmi Talmud as part of the renewal of Torat Eretz Yisrael. The subject of the letter, the Gaon and Mekubal Rabbi David Hacohen (1887-1972) known as HaRav HaNazir. One of the unique figures of the Torah world. Served as Ram of the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva and was renowned mainly as the chief editor of his Rav's writings. Was known as HaRav HaNazir due to the Nezirut customs he took upon himself; he avoided drinking wine and used to fast and practice a Ta'anit Dibur. His unique figure formed a bridge between the world of Kabbalah, philosophy and Yeshiva study.