Bidspirit auction | Rare Letter by Maran the
Rare Letter by Maran the Gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky Author of the Chazon Yechezkel - Sharp Criiticism of the Book Pilpulah shel Torah by Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenshpon - Letter with unusual content, handwritten by Maran the Gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky, addressed to the Gaon Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenshpon, author of the book Pilpulah shel Torah and more. London, 1935. In his letter, the Chazon Yechezkel sharply criticizes some of the author's expressions in the book, phrasing that shows disrespect towards Tannaim and Amoraim and are therefore inappropriate, such as: ”הפרעת הסדרים וחיי רוגז השפיעו לרעה על דרך העיון של מקצת חכמי פומבדיתא” [The disruption of order and a life of turmoil negatively impacted the study methods of some of the Pumbedita sages]. Rabbi Abramsky points to what is, in his view, a fundamental misunderstanding by the author in interpreting the words of Chazal: ”במחשכים הושיבני כמתי עולם — זה תלמודא של בבל” (סנהדרין לג), and explicitly asks the author to recant, in the following edition of the book, what he had written in this one. Alongside the sgaep criticism, the letter indicates Rabbi Abramsky's famed humility. In his great wisdom and noble manner, he wraps these harsh words in pleasant and respectful language, such that for a moment, it appears to be a letter of approbation - while in reality, it constitutes a fundamental rejection of central points in the book. The Gemore states in Masechet Arachin (leaf 16): ”אמר רבי אלעזר בן עזריה תמיהני אם יש בדור הזה [מי] שיודע להוכיח” [Rabbi Eleazar ben Azaryah said: I would be surprised if there is anyone in this generation who knows how to reprove]. This letter is an instructive document in the methods of Torah criticism: how it is possible to voice the sharpest rebukes, point clearly to errors and demand their correction, and at the same time afford the recipient of the criticism the opportunity to accept the words with an open heart. The criticism is presented not as an attack on the author's character, but as an effort to set the record straight out of a desire to safeguard the honor of the Torah and the purity of the analytical methods of study. In his unique way, Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky succeeds in framing the matter as though the primary concern is not the author's actual intent, but rather how his words might be misinterpreted by the readers. [1] leaf. 25 cm. Very good condition. *** Maran the Gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky (1886-1976) author of the Chazon Yechezkel. Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, leader of the Chareidi community after the Holocaust and one of the leaders of Mo'etezt Gedolei HaTorah. In 1923, Rabbeinu was appointed the Rav of Slutzk, replacing the Gaon Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, who escaped the Communists. Rabbeinu himself suffered from the KGB and in 1930 was sentenced to five years in Siberia. Following the pressure of Jews from all around the world, he was released and left the USSR for London. In his final years, he lived in Jerusalem. The addressee the Gaon Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenshpon (ca. 1880-1961) the Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim, London and author of religious books. Was born in Lachovich and studied in the Mir, Slutzk, Brisk and Sochatchov yeshivas. During WWI moved to Antwerpen and from there to England, where he headed th Etz Chaim Yeshiva for approx. thirty years.