Bidspirit auction | “I Wish to Publish My

“I Wish to Publish My Sefer on Yevamos” — A Rare Letter by Maran the Steipler Concerning the Printing of Kehillos Yaakov - A significant Torah-historical letter, entirely in the holy autograph handwriting of the gaon and saintly leader of the generation, Maran Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler zt”l. The letter concerns the printing of his Kehillos Yaakov on Tractate Yevamos, one of the most important and influential Torah works published in the last generations. Bnei Brak, 1965. The Kehillos Yaakov volumes rank among the foundational works of the postwar yeshiva world. Studied in depth throughout the leading Torah academies, they profoundly influenced the analytical approach of generations of Torah scholars and became enduring classics of the Torah library. In the present letter, the Steipler responds to an offer by Rabbi Simcha Alberg to assist with the costs of printing the sefer, and details the amount required to complete the project: “I contacted the printer... and it became clear that the estimated expenses—for paper, printing, and binding—will amount to approximately 2,000 Israeli liras... thus, with a sum of about 700 dollars, it will be possible, with Hashem’s help, to bring it to completion.” Before us is a rare document relating to the publication of one of the most important Torah works printed in the twentieth century. The letter also sheds rare light on the Steipler’s personal way of life. Although by this time he was already counted among the foremost Torah leaders of his generation, guiding thousands who sought his counsel and blessing, he himself lived in extraordinary simplicity and poverty, refusing to benefit from public funds or personal gifts. As a result, he was compelled to seek financial assistance even for the publication of his own sefarim. This is reflected both in the content of the letter and in its remarkably humble tone, as he writes to Rabbi Alberg: “Although I am unworthy, nevertheless it would certainly be agreeable to me as well...” There is something especially moving about this letter. Today, the Kehillos Yaakov has been printed in numerous editions and is studied in virtually every beis midrash. Yet here we encounter its illustrious author carefully calculating the costs of paper, printing, and binding, seeking to raise a mere $700 in order to bring the sefer to press. Had the Steipler only known the value that collectors would one day place upon his handwritten manuscripts, he could have financed not merely one edition of Kehillos Yaakov, but many more. The striking contrast between the tremendous value of the manuscript today and the simplicity of its author lends the letter a unique significance. A blessing in itself is the conclusion of the letter. It contains warm blessings in the Steipler’s own handwriting and signature—blessings from one of the holiest and most revered Torah leaders of the age, whose words were cherished throughout the Jewish world as a source of blessing and success. In his own words: “With blessings for a good inscription and sealing in the Book of the Completely Righteous... to be crowned with a good life, to increase deeds for our holy Torah, and that in all that he turns to, he should succeed for good and for blessing...” The letter concludes with his autograph signature: “Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky.” Maran Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (1899–1985), universally known as the Steipler, after his hometown of Hornostaipil, was renowned throughout the Jewish world as a gaon, tzaddik, and holy man in all his ways. One of the foremost leaders of Orthodox Jewry and author of the celebrated Kehillos Yaakov series, he was the brother-in-law of Maran the Chazon Ish and father of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. A man of extraordinary piety and wonder, he fled honor and authority throughout his life, yet whenever circumstances demanded, his opinions were voiced with clarity and accepted without challenge. [1] Airmail letter, 28 × 19 cm. Approximately 250 words, entirely in the Steipler’s autograph handwriting and signature. Very fine condition. Laminated for preservation and protection.