Bidspirit auction | “False and Without Any Basis”

“False and Without Any Basis” – A Letter from the Radzin Rebbe, Rabbi Yerucham Leiner; Particularly Important Revelations about the “Baal HaTechelet.” - A rare and important letter, rich in historical detail, in the author’s own handwriting and bearing the signature of the Radzin Rebbe, the holy gaon Rabbi Yerucham Leiner. New York, 5719 [1958]. Sent to Rabbi Yehuda Leib Maimon. The letter reveals extensive and previously unknown information about the Baal HaTechelet, refuting myths and stereotypes that had circulated about him—most notably the claim that he visited America, which the Rebbe rejects emphatically: “False and without any basis.” Within the letter, the Rebbe surveys the many works of the Baal HaTechelet on the subject of techelet, including: The Introduction and the Opening Shefunei Temunei Chol Petil Techelet Ein HaTechelet Sefer HaZemanim on the Passover Haggadah Seder Taharot – Tractate Kelim The letter also discusses the Baal HaTechelet’s research journeys in search of the chilazon, to exotic locations along the Mediterranean coast. Among other things, the Rebbe writes: “Regarding the question whether the report that he was in America is correct – false and without any basis. He was in Naples, Italy, as he writes in the introduction to his book Petil Techelet. He was also in Venice… he was also in Rome, and I saw a letter that he wrote from Rome… ‘Here Rome shall be uprooted, broken, and swept away.’” The letter further refers to the bitter controversy aroused by the Baal HaTechelet following his groundbreaking work Seder Taharot, especially concerning Tractate Kelim, and the opposition of the morei tzedek in Vilna: “From the controversy involving the morei tzedek of Vilna, their jealousy and hatred… and their challenge to Seder Taharot, Tractate Kelim.” An additional polemical issue addressed by the Rebbe in the letter—though not directly connected to Radzin—is the question of the kashrut of Corfu etrogim, a central and stormy topic in the Jewish world of that era. In this context, he also addresses the bibliographic-halachic question of who authored the book Tochachat Megulah (Mainz, 1874), which deals with the kashrut of Corfu etrogim: “And its author was in truth the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan, of blessed memory, as testified by the gaon Rabbi Chaim Heller, may he live long… and all who rose against him were shamed and disgraced.” The holy Rebbe concludes his letter with the blessing: “May he yet flourish in old age, robust and fresh, in the courtyards of Torah.” Rabbi Yerucham Leiner [5648–5724], the Rebbe of Izhbitza–Radzin. In 5691 he emigrated to England and served there as Rebbe; in 5710 he moved to the United States and established his study hall in Borough Park. Son of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Leiner and grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Leiner of Radzin—the brother of the renewer of techelet, Rabbi Gershon Chanoch Henich Leiner. Rabbi Yerucham himself wore techelet produced by Rabbi Gershon. Among his works: Tiferet Yerucham, notes on the Zohar, and others. After his passing, his son Rabbi Mordechai Yosef succeeded him as Rebbe of Izhbitza–Radzin. Large airmail letter, 92 lines, entirely in the Rebbe’s own handwriting. Very good condition. Folding marks. Filing holes.