Bidspirit auction | The Cry of the “Mother

The Cry of the “Mother of Yeshivot” – A Rare Historical Letter from the Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin of Volozhin, on the Final Days of Crisis! - A letter of important historical (non-Torah) content, written entirely in the holy autograph and signed by one of the greatest geniuses of the generation, Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin—Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, the “Mother of Yeshivot, ” and Av Beit Din of the city of Volozhin. Warsaw, undated. The letter is addressed to the gaon and chassid Rabbi Yehuda Leib Segal, author of Alufei Yehuda, who had approached the Netziv with a request concerning a young student from his yeshiva, of distinguished lineage. The letter was written in the Netziv’s later years. His handwriting is already trembling and weakened, and he himself testifies to this at the opening of his words: “His eyes see that my hand is but a faint hand”—a poignant expression reflecting his frail physical state. In his old age, the Netziv sought to immigrate to the Land of Israel and to transfer the leadership of the yeshiva to his son, Rabbi Chaim Berlin. At that time, however, Volozhin was in turmoil: an internal dispute had erupted among the students, some of whom wished to appoint Rabbi Chaim of Brisk as Rosh Yeshiva. These internal tensions were compounded by relentless harassment from the Russian authorities, causing the Netziv profound anguish and illness. In his letter, he notes that he had traveled to Warsaw for medical treatment: “Having come here to strengthen my health, and due to the distress of our hearts concerning the leadership of the holy yeshiva.” His words reveal the harsh reality of leadership under intense spiritual, communal, and governmental pressure. The Netziv also exposes a measure of the financial distress of the “Mother of Yeshivot”: “For aside from my being in debt for more than seven thousand rubles, the expenses exceed the income, and may God have mercy upon us.” These lines shed rare light on the daily struggle to sustain the greatest and most influential yeshiva in Lithuania. [1] Paper leaf, 19 × 13 cm. Good condition. Time stains. Two tears professionally restored. Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1816–1893), author of Ha‘amek Davar, Ha‘amek She’elah, and Meishiv Davar, headed the Volozhin Yeshiva for approximately fifty years and raised thousands of disciples. His works became foundational texts, and he stood among the leaders of his generation at a fateful time for the world of Torah. The recipient, Rabbi Yehuda Leib (Segal), Av Beit Din of Lipsk, son of Rabbi Yitzchak Dov Ber, received chassidic influence from the Maggid Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz and from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. He authored Alufei Yehuda on the Torah; another work remained in manuscript (Alfasi, Chassidut, p. 245). The present letter is a vivid and moving testimony to the turbulent days of Volozhin—preserved in the trembling voice and handwriting of its Rosh Yeshiva.