Bidspirit auction | “May Hashem bestow upon you

“May Hashem bestow upon you every good” Letter of Blessings from Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Gadol Hador of America , Kletsk, 1937 * Autographed letter of the great gaon Rabbi Aharon Kotler, written while he was Rosh Yeshiva of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva of Kletsk in Poland, later becoming one of the foremost leaders of Torah Jewry in America. In the letter, Rabbi Aharon expresses heartfelt gratitude to generous benefactors for their important support in strengthening the yeshiva: “From the depths of my heart, I hereby convey to you both my feelings of thanks and blessing, as well as to the esteemed rebbetzin, may she live, for standing as supporters of our holy yeshiva in a very difficult time.” He blesses them: “May Hashem bestow upon you every good, and bless you with health, abundant joy and nachas, and complete serenity, and may you merit to continually increase your efforts to support Torah and Judaism.” The letter dates to 1937, just a few years before the outbreak of World War 2, during which the yeshiva fled to Vilna and was eventually closed. Rabbi Aharon Kotler (1892–1962) was one of the greatest Lithuanian Roshei Yeshiva of the pre-war era and later one of the principal builders of Torah in America after the war. He played a major role in rebuilding the world of yeshivos and served as President of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in the United States. Yeshivas Etz Chaim-Slutzk was one of the elite yeshivas of Lithuanian and Polish Jewry. It was founded by fourteen leading students of the Alter of Slabodka, and was headed by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. Later, the yeshivah moved to Kletzk (as noted on the letterhead of this document), and after Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer moved to Eretz Yisrael, his son-in-law Rabbi Aharon Kotler was appointed as Rosh Yeshiva. The yeshivah had over 200 outstanding students. Kletsk, 1937. Letter written by a scribe, with the signature of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, together with his personal stamp: “Aharon Kotler, Rosh HaYeshiva.” Official stationery. Size: 21.8×29 cm. Condition: Medium–good; tears in the margins.