The Battle to Preserve Authentic Torah Judaism in Eretz ...

The Battle to Preserve Authentic Torah Judaism in Eretz Yisrael

Letter by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Av Beis Din of Vilna, and Telegram by Rabbi Shmuel Salant of Jerusalem. Vilna-Jerusalem, 1909

1. Handwritten and Autographed Letter by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Av Beis Din of Vilna

In their efforts to preserve the authentic Jewish character of the Rabbinate and Torah institutions in Eretz Yisrael and rescue them from the talons of the Enlightenment and French Alliance, Gedolei Yisrael in the early 20th century waged a mighty battle against the appointment of Chaim Nahum as Chief Rabbi of Constantinople and the Ottoman Empire.

Despite the vehement opposition of Gedolei Yisrael, Nahum was named Chacham Bashi of the Ottoman Empire. Shortly after, Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi who had spearheaded the campaign and battle against Nahum, received word that the Roshei Kollelim in Jerusalem had dispatched a letter of congratulations and blessings to Nahum. Infuriated and betrayed, Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik sent a letter of complaint to Rabbi Chaim Ozer, dated 13 Shvat, 5669, in which he writes, “From Jerusalem, we received outrageous news that the Committee of all the Kollelim sent a letter of blessings to Nachum to [express] their support of him, and Rabbi Shmuel Salant’s signature even appears on [the letter]” (Igros Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik Halevi p. 162).

Rabbi Chaim Ozer promptly dispatched an inquiry to Rabbi Shmuel Salant (see Kamenetzky, David. Rabban shel Yisrael, p. 485-486) who responded with a telegram (see below) to the Av Beis Din of Vilna. Rabbi Chaim Ozer immediately forwarded Rabbi Shmuel’s response and telegram to Rabbi Yitzchak Eisik, “I am attaching to this the TG [telegram] that I received from Hagaon Harav Shmuel Salant shlit”a from the holy city of Yerushalayim, may she be speedily rebuilt.”

In the second half of the letter, Rabbi Chaim Ozer writes, “From Brisk, I have received word…that Hagaon Harav Chaim [Soloveitchik] is prepared to respond to Harav Hagaon Doctor Breuer that he will travel to the conference.” The above lines relate to the founding assembly of the worldwide Orthodox union of Agudas Yisrael in Hamburg in 1909 which Rabbi Chaim [Soloveitchik] indeed attended.

Vilna, 21 Adar, 5669 (1909). Stationery. Page Size: 20x13. Condition: Light stains. This letter was printed in Igros Rabbi Chaim Ozer Vol. 2 Letter 588 [2001 Edition].

2. Telegram from Rabbi Shmuel Salant Responding to Rabbi Chaim Ozer’s Inquiry

In this telegram, Rabbi Shmuel Salant categorically denies the accusation and clarifies that no such letter of blessing was sent to Chaim Nahum. He describes the rumor to be baseless and false spread viciously to mislead the public.

The telegram was typed in German and dated February 15, 1909 (24 Shvat, 5669). Condition: Minor tear, with all text intact.

.......................................

Any inquiries about this lot ?

We are available also on WhatsApp >>>