Bidspirit auction | Letter from Maran the Gaon

Letter from Maran the Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. From the Period of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland, 1939. “What he envisions for his future in America pains me greatly, for who can describe the change of life that awaits him upon arriving in the New World… and truly my heart aches that he wishes to build his future there… alas, what do our people merit there!” Letter from Maran the Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel to his sister-in-law Mrs. Zlata, on the eve of Pesach, 1939. [1] leaf, in the handwriting and with the signature of Rabbi Finkel. The eminent Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel (1877–1965), Rosh Yeshiva of Mir and its rebuilder after the Holocaust, among the Gedolei HaDor and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael. Son of the Saba of Slabodka, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel. A disciple of Rabbi Eliezer Gordon of Telz, Rabbi Shimon Shkop, and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk. Son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Kamenetzky, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir and Av Beis Din of the city. He succeeded in escaping the Holocaust, immigrated to Jerusalem, and there rebuilt the great Torah institution of the Mir Yeshiva, which in time became the largest and most influential center of Torah learning in the world. He served as a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael and was among the foremost leaders of his generation. Content of the letter: Rabbi Finkel writes to his sister-in-law that he awaits her reply regarding the matter of “the distinguished proposal offered to the Rav, may he live long, ” her son. He expresses his shock that “Rabbi Yechezkel” plans to move to America, where serious spiritual dangers await Bnei Torah. Rabbi Finkel writes that it would be far better for him to immigrate to Eretz Yisrael, where there exists a suitable environment “for the success of a true life and to raise children properly according to his aspirations, and also materially he will be able to chart his future with tranquility and peace, with Hashem’s help.” He asks for a detailed report about the condition of his relatives, inquires after their welfare, and blesses them with a blessing for the festival. Fold marks. Light age stains. Short tears along fold lines. Good condition.