Bidspirit auction | Letter from one of the

Letter from one of the greatest sages of the generations, Maran the Chafetz Chaim, to a philanthropist in America. [1917] - Letter in a foreign language [Russian], containing blessings and the actual handwritten signature of the great sage of the generations, Maran Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen, author of Chafetz Chaim and Mishnah Berurah. [Erev Rosh Hashanah 5678, 1917]. The letter was sent from the city of Kazan, Russia, to a wealthy philanthropist who was one of the primary supporters of the yeshiva. It was written during the height of World War I, when the Chafetz Chaim’s yeshiva had been exiled from the city of Radin to the interior of Russia. Both the yeshiva and the Chafetz Chaim’s family were enduring great hardship at the time. In his letter, the Chafetz Chaim confirms receipt of a generous donation of 1,000 rubles, allocated as follows: three hundred rubles for the Chafetz Chaim’s family and seven hundred rubles for the students. [1] Stamped and signed postal card, 15x9 cm. Written on both sides. Very fine condition. Rabban shel Yisrael, Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen of Radin [1838–1933], revered as the Chafetz Chaim, Rosh Yeshiva of Radin, and author of the seminal works Mishnah Berurah, Shemirat HaLashon, and dozens of other sefarim which have become foundational texts in the Jewish bookshelf. The entire House of Israel relies on his halachic rulings as though they were those of a Rishon. Even during his lifetime, he was regarded by all of Klal Yisrael as holy, and he was known for his revealed Ruach HaKodesh, with no word of his ever returning empty. He participated in the Great Assembly in Vienna and was elected honorary president of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah.