Response from Rabbi Yoav Adler, AB”D of Hanušovce, Regarding Immersing in a Mikvah Close to ...

Response from Rabbi Yoav Adler, AB”D of Hanušovce, Regarding Immersing in a Mikvah Close to Shabbos.

Handwritten response from Rabbi Yoav Adler, ab”d of Hanušovce, addressed to his disciple Rabbi Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Deutsch of Dabshina, future ab”d of Helmacz.

In his letter, Rabbi Adler addresses his disciple’s question regarding the custom of immersing in a mikvah just prior to Shabbos. Rabbi Adler responds that the rabbis who observe this custom undoubtedly only immerse themselves and do not bathe at the same time. He concludes: “We do not need to explain our sages in a hidden manner, only in a revealed manner. They did this permissibly… and we should not ruminate about it.”

This response is published in Taharas Yom Tov, Part Two.

Rabbi Yoav Adler (1877-1943) was the son of Rabbi Shalom Adler, ab”d of Szerednye, author of Rav Shalom, and the son-in-law of Rabbi David Leib Seltzer, ab”d of Humenné. He was known as a prolific Torah scholar and was a leading rabbi of his times. Rabbi Adler studied under the Shevet Sofer and the Keren L’David. He was appointed ab”d of Hanušovce, and all of the surrounding cities accepted his leadership as well. His novellae were published in various newspapers and compiled in the kuntress She’eiris Yoav which is published at the end of sefer Rav Shalom. He tragically perished in Auschwitz. It is told that throughout his final journey in the cattle cars on the way to Auschwitz, Rabbi Adler repeated over and over again, “Ashrei ish shelo yishkachecha… Praised is the man who does not forget You…”

Dated Hanušovce, 1842.

23 x 29 cm | Double-sided | Official stationery | Professionally restored tear affecting text, stains and ink smears