Bidspirit auction | Can a Broken Matzah Be

Can a Broken Matzah Be “Repaired” for Lechem Mishneh? – Rare Early Source of the Famous Advice Attributed to the Steipler - An exceptionally rare halachic letter, entirely in the handwriting of the Steipler, addressed to Maran Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Bnei Brak, 1962. A Passover greeting letter written completely in the holy hand of Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Kanievsky, the Steipler, and sent to his mechutan, Maran Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. In the first part of the letter, the Steipler extends blessings for the festival of Passover. In the second half, he turns to a fascinating and uncommon halachic discussion concerning a practical question: what should one do if he has no whole matzot available for Lechem Mishneh? The Steipler cites a report he had heard in the name of Rabbi Elyashiv, according to which one may lightly singe the broken edges of a matzah over a flame until it appears as though this had been its original form from the time of baking, thereby restoring its status as whole. The Steipler then seeks a halachic source for this ruling, writing in his characteristic style: “I heard of an advice for one who has no whole matzot: that he should singe the edges in fire until they appear as though this was their shape from the beginning of their baking... I searched through the later authorities on סימן רע״ד and found no hint to this... It would seem somewhat that the essential matter depends upon appearance. Perhaps Your Honor knows a source for this.” Before us is thus an early and explicit source for the well-known practice later associated with the Steipler himself—while here he is seen attempting to clarify its halachic basis directly from Rabbi Elyashiv. The letter continues afterward with another subject. Rabbi Elyashiv’s response to this inquiry is unknown. (For Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach’s view on the matter, see Halichot Shlomo, Passover, chapter 10, note 3 and annotations there.) Letters of distinctly halachic content from the Steipler are exceedingly rare, particularly letters addressed to Maran Rabbi Elyashiv on a practical matter relating to the customs of Passover. [1] Postal card. 14 × 9 cm. Entirely in the handwriting of the Steipler. Condition: Good. Minor stains.