Bidspirit auction | ”Chupat Niddah” - An Important

”Chupat Niddah” - An Important Halachic Letter by the Posek HaDor, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv - ”I have just received your pleasant letter, and I hasten to reply.” An extended and significant halachic letter [approximately 350 words], entirely handwritten and signed by the renowned posek, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. The letter was addressed to his close colleague and fellow dayan, Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Werner, Av Beit Din of Tel Aviv. Jerusalem, 7 Tammuz 5745 [1985]. The letter addresses a common halachic issue concerning a bride who is a niddah at the time of her wedding ceremony, making it forbidden for the groom to touch her. The question arises: how can the groom place the ring on the bride’s finger under these circumstances? Rabbi Werner suggests, based on the opinion of certain halachic authorities, that one of the bridesmaids could be appointed to place the ring on the bride’s finger on behalf of the groom. However, Rabbi Elyashiv vehemently opposes this suggestion, explaining his reasoning: ”And we do everything possible to ensure that the matter is not publicly known. Even with regard to the Yichud room, various arrangements are made so that others will not notice. And since all eyes are on the arrangement of the Kiddushin, why should we impose a stringency that causes sorrow and distress to the groom and bride on the day of their rejoicing” This letter was later printed with significant changes in the book *Kovetz Teshuvot of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv* (Volume 3, Jerusalem 2003, p. 259). The introduction to the book notes that the responses were printed based on collected writings, not from original letters, and therefore should not be relied upon for practical halacha (see attached image). The original letter presented here, however, is authentic and can certainly be relied upon. - [2] pages, 25 x 17 cm. - Official letterhead. - Very good condition. Folding marks and staple holes. Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv [1910–2012]: The grandson of the esteemed kabbalist and author of *Leshem Shevo V'Achlama*, Rabbi Elyashiv displayed extraordinary Torah brilliance even as a child. Before his bar mitzvah, he contributed sections to his grandfather's monumental work, where he was referred to with the reverential phrase ”Ashrei Yoladeto” (”Blessed is she who bore him”). Over seven decades, Rabbi Elyashiv emerged as one of the foremost poskim, known for his unparalleled diligence and deep, comprehensive knowledge of Torah. In his later years, he was recognized as the leading halachic authority and spiritual guide for Torah Jewry worldwide. Recipient: Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Werner [1911–1993]: Av Beit Din in Tel Aviv for many decades and son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlap. Ordained by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Wachtfogel and Rabbi Abba Yaakov Boruchov, Rabbi Werner served as a dayan for over thirty years alongside Rabbi Elyashiv and others. He published numerous Torah works and articles on halacha and Jewish law. His son-in-law, Rabbi Dov Tzvi Karlinstein, served as the Rosh Yeshiva of Grodno in Ashdod. Rabbi Werner’s cousins included Rabbi Avraham Werner, Rabbi of Netanya, and Rabbi Asher Ze’ev Werner, Rabbi of Tiberias.