Halachic Ruling – Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Avraham Yoffen, Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky and ...

Halachic Ruling – Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Avraham Yoffen, Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein – On the Rift Between the Israeli and American Branches of Peilim – Kislev 1961

Halachic ruling by the leading yeshiva deans in the United States – lithograph of the ruling handwritten and signed by R. Aharon Kotler, with the signatures of R. Avraham Yoffen, R. Dovid Lifshitz, R. Yaakov Kamenetsky and R. Moshe Feinstein. United States, 14th Kislev (November 22) 1961.

Provisional halachic ruling from a discussion of the leading rabbis in the United States: "Regarding the disagreements between the Peilim Committee in America with their agent, the Peilim Committee in the Holy Land".

The halachic rulings states: "After we listened to the arguments of both parties, we the undersigned decided based on Torah law as follows: 1) It is by no means permitted to hold two special fundraisers in America in any form, as this involves much dissent, desecration of G-d's name and dishonor of Torah learners… 2) Since the local committee has been working for several years, they are considered to have the prevailing right, and their agent, the committee of Eretz Israel, is not permitted to collect by itself for Peilim, nor to conduct a special campaign, nor to cause any disturbance to the work of the local committee. 3) The American committee is required to answer the Eretz Israel committee in a Torah lawsuit in a distinguished court with each party selecting a judge, or in a court agreed upon by both parties… 4) Until the Torah lawsuit is held, the agent of the Eretz Israel committee is permitted to enter as a member of the local committee and to be present at the meetings of the committee… in accordance with the agreement of last Tamuz… 5) An agent of Peilim of Eretz Israel is permitted to participate in the treasury management, in accordance with the agreement of last Tamuz. 6) Both parties are obligated to conduct everything peacefully and uprightly, and not to cause any loss to the office and the overall matter. 7) Each party is allowed to call the other to a Torah lawsuit for a decisive arrangement on coordination of work with the Eretz Israel committee, but until the Torah lawsuit is held they shall act in accordance with the above paragraphs…".

[1] leaf. 27.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.

The present leaf was brought to Kedem for auction along with the following letters sent to Jerusalem relating to this issue – see following lots.