Emotional letter signed by Rabbi Haim Shmuelevitz and Rabbi Meir Segel of Haifa, to Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef Henkin of ...

Emotional letter signed by Rabbi Haim Shmuelevitz and Rabbi Meir Segel of Haifa, to Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef Henkin of the USA, on an interesting subject. 1961

Letter on official letterhead of “Rabbi Meir Segel, rabbi in Haifa”, from the 6th of Kislev 1961, addressed to Rabbi Henkin, in which he asks him to use savings money for his father-in-law Rabbi Reuven Silver, without his knowledge, because he could not be convinced that he needed to use it and he was prepared to endanger his life and not to use his savings money, and he lists proof for his position from Rabbis Haim Shmuelevitz, Rabbi Yoel Klopt, and Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel of Mir, who gave a psak on this subject, saying that it was permitted to use someone’s money without their knowledge for their benefit if they are risking their life. He writes: “Because my father-in-law shlita is my responsibility for his maintenance and his health, I have in the meantime gone into large debt and am drowning in it…” and he ends with his signature. Later he taped a letter from Rabbi Haim Shmuelevitz with his opinion on the matter: “I also see a great need arising in terms of preserving his life mamash…and because of the great urgency I request that you respond to me shortly, in true friendship Haim Shmuelevitz.” Size: 39x21cm. Folding creases, overall good condition.

Rabbi Haim Shmuelevitz (1902-1979) was known as Haim Stochiner because of the city of his birth. He served as Rosh Yeshivat Mir (Lithuania), succeeding his father-in-law when it was in Shanghai during World War II and then in Israel.

Rabbi Meir Segel of Haifa, son of Rabbi Natan David, wrote the books Imrei Shefer and Imrei Daat.

The recipient of the letter, Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin (1881-1973) was the son of Rabbi Eliezer of Klimovitz. He was a great posek of the United States and was considered by Rav Elyashiv to be the Mara d’Atra of the US. He was one of the first duents of Rabbi Issesr Zalman Meltzer in his Slotzk yeshiva, and was certified by him and by the Ridbaz, Rabbi Baruch Beer Leibowitz, and Rabbi Yehiel Michal HaLevi Epstein, the Aruch HaShulchan. He served for a number of years as a rabbi in several cities in Georgia, where he was sent by Rabbi Haim of Brisk. There is correspondence between them as well as between Rabbi Henkin and the Rogachover and other sages of the time. He was president of Ezrat Torah. He wrote Lev Ibra, Perushi Ibra, and more.