Bidspirit auction | Extremely Rare: Letter from the

Extremely Rare: Letter from the Brisk ”Mashgiach”, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Gordon, Author of ”Nefesh Chaya” - A fine and exceptionally rare letter, containing interesting (and relevant) content, entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Gordon, Av Beit Din of Pinsk and Mashgiach of Yeshivat Torat Chesed in Brisk, known as the ”Nefesh Chaya” [Rebbe of Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman]. Brisk, 1934 (תרצ”ד). Letters from him are virtually non-existent. A Dialogue Between Two Giants of Mussar This letter is addressed to Rabbi Gordon’s dear friend, the Gaon Rabbi Hillel Witkind, one of the greatest Mussar figures in Lithuania and Rosh Yeshiva of Beit Yosef Novardok in the Land of Israel. In his letter, Rabbi Gordon intercedes on behalf of an important young student who wishes to be accepted into Yeshivat Novardok. The young man received a draft order and was forced to flee Poland [at the time, Brisk was under Polish rule]. It is noteworthy to read how Rabbi Gordon carefully chooses his words, fearing censorship: ”He is now in a terrible situation, where he is compelled to travel for reasons of pikuach nefesh (saving a life), as he must exchange the yoke of worldly affairs for the yoke of Torah... [ellipsis in the original] and the days are approaching.” [1] sheet of paper, 20 cm. Condition: Good. Age stains, folding marks, filing holes. Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Gordon (Nefesh Chaya) – Life and Legacy The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Gordon first served as Av Beit Din in Pinsk (Suwalki district). In 1925 (תרפ”ה), he was invited by Rabbi Moshe Sokolovsky (author of Imrei Moshe) to serve as Mashgiach of Yeshivat Torat Chesed in Brisk, a position he held for fifteen years, until World War II and the destruction of European Jewry. His arrival at the yeshiva immediately revitalized its spiritual atmosphere, intensifying its ”fire of Torah” and elevating its Mussar and Yirat Shamayim. In 1939 (תרצ”ט), he managed to publish his book ”Nefesh Chaya” on the weekly Torah portions in Sefer Bereshit, intending to continue publishing his remaining writings on Talmudic tractates. However, history took a tragic turn. Rabbi Aryeh Leib Pomeranchik, a Brisk native and author of ”Torat Zeraim” and ”Emek Beracha”, vividly describes Rabbi Gordon’s profound influence in his writings, testifying to the deep moral foundation he instilled in the yeshiva. [Source: Igrot Maran Riz HaLevi, Meller, Shimon Yosef ben Elimelech, Jerusalem 2008, Letter 31.] The Recipient: Rabbi Hillel Witkind (Novardok) Rabbi Hillel Witkind was one of the founders of the Beit Yosef-Novardok Yeshiva network. He was deeply connected to Rabbi Yosef Yoizel Horowitz, the ”Alter of Novardok, ” and personally testified: ”I served by his side for six years.” After immigrating to the Land of Israel, he served as Rosh Yeshiva of Beit Yosef-Novardok in Tel Aviv. His ethical teachings were compiled in his book ”Mussar HaTorah, ” published in Jerusalem, 1944 (תש”ד).