Bidspirit auction | Interesting Responsum Handwritten by Maran

Interesting Responsum Handwritten by Maran the Steipler Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - What is Preferable: To Recite Selichot on Time or Study Better during Seder Alef? - An interesting letter with a practical question that was directed at Gedol Hador Maran the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, by the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Or Yisrael in Lithuanai and later Petach Tikvah, the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Neuman - and the Steipler's surprising response, which included blessings for the New Year handwritten by him. Bnei Berak and Petach Tikvah, Elul 1980.  The question is typewritten on the fine official stationery of the Or Yisrael Yeshiva. On its margins, Rabbi Neuman handwrote words of greeting and his signature.  The Question For years, it was customary at the Or Yisrael Yeshiva to recite Selichot on the first night at midnight, following a lengthy and dedicated Seder Mussar, where the very preparation and spiritual awakening toward the Selichot created an exceptionally elevated atmosphere in the yeshiva. In 1980, apparently due to the extension of Daylight Saving Time into the Selichot period, a practical dilemma arose: if the yeshiva were to recite Selichot on Motza'ei Shabbat after midnight, it might disrupt the yeshiva's schedule on Sunday morning, as the students would be fatigued and unable to rise early for their studies as usual. Hence the question: what is preferable - to recite Selichot before midnight, outside its proper Halachic time, but allow the students to sleep adequately and wake early for Torah study with renewed vigor; or to forgo the special Hitorerut of the Seder Mussar and recite Selichot in the morning, prior to the Shacharit prayer? The Steipler's response, surprising in its simplicity The Steipler's response is surprising in its genius simplicity, yet typical of his doctrine, denying the State's authority to determine the lifestyle of Bnei Torah:   ”לא הבנתי (!) שכמו תמיד הוי חצות לילה ע”פ השעון הישן... הלא גם בבוקר זמני התפילה הם ע”פ השעון הישן, מהמכתב הבנתי שסדרי הבוקר הם ע”פ השעון החדש מכל מקום אולי בשביל הסליחות יעשו סדרים של יום ראשון ע”פ השעון הישן” [I did not understand (!) why, as always, midnight cannot be calculated according to the old time... After all, in the morning as well, prayer times are according to the old time. From the letter, I understood that the morning Seder follows the new time [Daylight Saving Time]. Nevertheless, perhaps for the sake of Selichot, they should set Sunday's Seder according to the old time].  That is, the Seder of the Yeshiva need not be changed and there is no need to recite the Selichot earlier or give up the Seder Mussar - rather, the Seder of Sunday should be set according to the ”old time” . Thus, the yeshiva students would be able to recite the Selichot on time and then get up for the Seder of the yeshiva.  On the left margins of the letter, the Steipler added special blessings handwritten by him to the Rosh Yeshiva, his family and the Or Yisrael Yeshiva, adding a Segulah layer to this rare letter: ”ובכל לבי אני מברך את הדר גאונו שליט”א בכתיבה וחתימה טובה למע”כ ולמשפחתו ולהצלחת הישיבה הק' בכל הפרטים”. It is interesting to note, that based on the date of the letter, it was written on Thursday before the Selichot , pertaining to the upcoming Motza'ei Shabbat. Therefore, on verso of the letter, there is a short instruction ”מחר בבוקר מיד לתת לרב ניימן” [tomorrow morning give it immediately to Rabbi Neuman] - apparently handwritten by his son, Maran Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky.   The content of the responsum was partially printed in Igrot Ureshimot Kehilot Yaakov pp. 101-102.  [1] leaf. Approx. 23 cm. Official stationery of the Or Yisrael Yeshiva, signed by the Rosh Yeshiva; with an addition of approx. 60 words handwritten by the Steipler.   Very good condition. Fold lines.  *** Maran the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - the Steipler (1899-1985) Gaon leader of the Torah World before the Holocaust who was considered Gedol Hador due to his genius and sanctity. Author of the Kehilot Yaakov series, which became a cornerstone in the Yeshiva world. For dozens of years, his house in Bnei Beral was a pilgrimage centerfor Jews from all over the country who came to him to ask for advice and blessing.  The Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Neuman (1899-1982) an important Rosh Yeshiva after the Holocaust, founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Or Yisrael, first in Lithuania and then in Petach Tikvah. Was known for the depth of his study, devotionj ot his students and his religious leadership.