Bidspirit auction | “His Heart Longs for a

“His Heart Longs for a Life of Inner Depth and the Light of Chassidut” – A Wonderful and Unique Letter by Maran the Chazon Ish Concerning a Shidduch for the Family of the Founder of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn. Bnei Brak, 1941. - A rare, personal, and deeply moving letter in the handwriting and signed by Maran the Chazon Ish, concerning the search for a suitable marriage match for one of the daughters of Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn, founder of the city of Bnei Brak and its first mayor, who was among the closest and most trusted associates of the Chazon Ish. Before us is an extraordinary document revealing the Chazon Ish not only as the leading halachic authority and spiritual guide of his generation, but also as a compassionate fatherly figure, personally involved in the family matters and marriage arrangements of those close to him. In his refined and profound language, he portrays the inner world of Rabbi Gerstenkorn and his yearning to establish a faithful Jewish home. Thus he writes: “Mr. Y. Gerstenkorn of this place desires to marry off his daughters to Torah scholars, not for secondary motives, but only because his heart longs for a life of inner depth and the light of Chassidut, and he wishes that his descendants remain faithful to Judaism, and this is his delight.” This rare phrase — “his heart longs for a life of inner depth and the light of Chassidut” — is among the most beautiful and poetic expressions preserved in the writings of the Chazon Ish, conveying a longing for a world of inwardness, purity, Torah, and fear of Heaven. The Chazon Ish adds that for his sons as well Rabbi Gerstenkorn sought “worthy daughters, ” and that a particular match was presently under consideration in Jerusalem. He therefore asks the recipient of the letter to devote attention to the matter and assist in bringing it to success. The letter was sent to his close associate Rabbi Zerach Shapira, and concludes with the well-known signature of the Chazon Ish: I”SH. Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn, founder and first mayor of Bnei Brak, drew close to the Chazon Ish from the day the sage first set foot in the new city. In all municipal affairs he consulted him and acted according to his guidance. It is related that the Rabbi of Ponevezh once told him: “May my portion be like yours, for you were wise enough to make the Chazon Ish the master and patron of your city.” About ten days before the passing of the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Gerstenkorn described their bond in moving words: “From the day he came to Bnei Brak I was bound heart and soul to the holy one and sage of the generation. Whenever my heart was burdened I went to him, and he would listen to everything patiently, and his answer was always accompanied by a smile: ‘It will be good.’ By this he removed all your worries and lifted the heaviest burdens from the heart.” Before us is a deeply stirring item, uniting the early history of Bnei Brak, the noble personality of the Chazon Ish, and his personal concern for the building of homes founded upon Torah and reverence. [1] Paper leaf. 7 x 21 cm. Condition: Tears to margins, professionally restored.