Аукцион Bidspirit | ”The holy genius, the Maggid

”The holy genius, the Maggid of Polonne, author of the תולדות זיע”א – recommendation of רבי חיים ברלין with great praise for Chassidut!!” A letter of recommendation from the Torah giant, Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, son of the הנצי”ב מוואלז'ין זצ”ל, praising the virtues and greatness of Haravחיים יהודה לייב אויערבאך (the 'Harachiyal') – father of the Posek Hador, Maran Haravשלמה זלמן אויערבאך זצ”ל. Jerusalem, (5669). Praise for Chassidic Giants in the Stronghold of Lithuania: Although Harav Chaim Berlin was the son of the Netziv of Volozhin and a direct descendant of Rav Chaim of Volozhin (the prime disciple of the Vilna Gaon), he goes out of his way to praise Harav Auerbach by emphasizing his holy lineage. He highlights that he is a direct descendant of ”...the Holy Gaon, the Maggid of Polonne, author of the Toldot [Yaakov Yosef] ZY”A...” Furthermore, Rav Chaim Berlin promises that in the merit of this holy ancestor, those who support him will be blessed: ”...and the merit of his ancestors shall protect all who benefit one of their descendants, to be blessed with the three-fold blessing – children, long life, and ample sustenance...” (It is interesting to note that the second ban [Cherem] against the Chassidim, issued in Vilna in 1781, was declared specifically because of the printing of the book 'Toldot Yaakov Yosef'). Translation of the Letter Content: ”...My help is from Hashem. To declare a man's uprightness among the tribes of Israel, I hereby make a trustworthy declaration regarding this precious man, sharp and erudite in Torah, precious in the fear of Hashem, who conducts himself with piety (Chassidut) – Harav Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach Shlita (N”Y), son of his father the righteous Rav... Harav Avraham Dov Auerbach, who dwells in honor in the city of Chernovitz. He is a direct descendant of the Holy Gaon, the Maggid of Polonne Z”L, author of the Toldot ZY”A, and he is also a relative of my own family. He is laden with Torah and fear of Hashem, and the Rabbis have already granted him Rabbinical Ordination (Semicha). I too have spoken with him on Torah matters many times, and his hands are powerful in Gemara and logical reasoning (Sevara). And here in the Holy City, he merited to found the Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva for the study of the Inner Wisdom [Kabbalah]...” And now, as he arrives in a place where he is not known, I hereby recognize him and hold him in high esteem in the eyes of all my brothers [the public], to draw him close and support him, to receive him with a pleasant countenance, and to honor him in accordance with the measure of his Torah, his fear of Heaven [piety], and his noble lineage. And may the merit of his ancestors stand by all those who do good to one of their descendants, to be blessed with the best of the threefold blessings: with children who rely [on the Torah], long lives, and ample sustenance. According to the true and sincere blessing of the wilderness [of the Torah], for the honor of the Torah and those who study it. Written on the [day of the week]... of the Torah portion U'vacharta Ba'chaim L'maan Tichyeh [Deuteronomy 30:19], the 24th of Elul, in the year [5]6[9] of the creation [669 / 1909], here in Jerusalem, the Holy City (may it be built and established speedily in our days). By the speaker/writer, Chaim Berlin... The world-renowned genius, Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin (1832–1912), one of the greatest Torah giants of Lithuania. He was the eldest son of the Netziv (Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin) and a great-grandson of Rabbeinu Chaim of Volozhin, author of Nefesh HaChaim. He studied under his grandfather, Rabbi Itzele of Volozhin, and his illustrious father. In 1865, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Moscow. Utilizing his close relationships with wealthy Russian Jewish tycoons, he was instrumental in raising funds to expand and establish his father’s yeshiva in Volozhin. Following the expulsion of the Jews from Moscow, he returned to serve as a Rosh Yeshiva (R”M) in Volozhin. After the Russian government forced the yeshiva to close, he served as Rabbi in various cities, including Kobrin. Despite Kobrin being a predominantly Hasidic town, Rabbeinu was deeply revered by all, and crowds flocked to hear his exceptional sermons. In 1905, as pogroms against Russian Jewry intensified, he immigrated to Jerusalem. There, he immersed himself in Torah study and divine service, became a revered leader of the local community, and oversaw numerous public affairs. In 1909, following the passing of Rabbi Shmuel Salant, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. His halachic responsibilities and sermons were published under the title Nishmat Chaim. A historic, first-rate letter concerning the dispute between the Hasidim and the Misnagdim! Very good condition. Entirely in his own handwriting (autograph) and signed— a highly beautiful letter!