Letter from Rabbi Refael Shapiro of Volozhin to Baron Günzburg - Regarding the Reopening of the Volozhin Yeshiva - ...

Letter from Rabbi Refael Shapiro of Volozhin to Baron Günzburg - Regarding the Reopening of the Volozhin Yeshiva - Volozhin, 1899
Letter from R. Refael Shapiro dean of the Volozhin yeshiva. Volozhin (Valozhyn), Tevet 1899. Addressed to the Jewish Baron Naftali Herz (Horace) Günzburg, the letter contains R. Refael's announcement of the reopening of the Volozhin yeshiva, and his request for the Baron's financial support. Written by a scribe, with the handwritten signature of R. "Refael Shapiro son-in-law of the Netziv of Volozhin". "Behold it is known to all that the Volozhin yeshiva, which illuminated the face of the earth, producing light - the light of Torah to the Jewish people, and raising leading Torah scholars, and it has earnt fame! And after it has been closed for several years, its doors have opened, those doors of the study hall which were locked, and those who study Torah have gathered there in a very large group, large in quantity and quality, of the most exceptional young Torah scholars, and of the sharpest and most proficient young students… who study diligently day and night…". R. Refael asks the Baron to assist him in bearing the load of "the Torah worship in Volozhin" which rests on his shoulder, and blesses the Baron with "great wealth and happiness, and the fulfillment of all his heart's desires for the good and for blessing". In the letter, he mentions his representative, the emissary R. Shmuel Ben Zion Shapiro. The Volozhin yeshiva was shut down by the Russian authorities in 1892, in the lifetime of its illustrious dean, the Netziv of Volozhin. After several years, following the passing of the Netziv and with much lobbying (by the trustees from Vilna and Minsk, and with the local authorities turning a blind eye), they succeeded in reopening the doors of the Beit Midrash. In 1899, the yeshiva was reestablished under the leadership of R. Refael Shapiro, and it operated until the Holocaust under the guidance of his son R. Yaakov Shapiro. This letter was written in the first year of the reopening of the yeshiva. R. Refael Shapiro, rabbi and dean of Volozhin (1837-1921), was the son of R. Aryeh Leib Rabbi of Kovno and son-in-law of the Netziv of Volozhin. He was renowned for his genius and diligence. In the years 1865-1881, he served as dean of the Volozhin yeshiva alongside his father-in-law the Netziv. He then went to serve as rabbi of Babruysk and other places. In 1899, when the yeshiva was reopened, he returned to Volozhin and was appointed rabbi and dean. During WWI, he fled to Minsk, where he taught Torah for some five years until his passing. His novellae and responsa were published in the three parts of his book Torat Refael. His son-in-law was R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik, rabbi of Brisk, author of Chiddushei Rabbenu Chaim HaLevi. The Baron Naftali Herz (Horace) Günzburg (1833-1909), banker and wealthy businessman, philanthropist and public activist. Bearer of a title of nobility, and general-consul in Russia. The bank he headed was one of the largest banks in the Russian empire. He utilized his connections and stature to assist his Jewish brethren in Tsarist Russia, defending them from decrees and improving their financial situation. [1] leaf. 28 cm. Very good condition. Folding marks.