Auction 66 Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019 (Your local time)
Israel
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LOT 91:

Letter of Guidance on Study Methods, by Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, to his Disciple the Student Moshe Shmuel Shapiro

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Letter handwritten and signed by R. Elchanan Bunem Wasserman. [Baranovich (Baranavichy), ca. 1936].
Written in reply to a request for guidance, which his beloved disciple R. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro (later dean of the Be'er Yaakov yeshiva) sent him, upon relocating to the Mir yeshiva. R. Elchanan addresses his disciple with terms of friendship and affection: "Peace and blessing to my dear and exceptional friend, of distinguished lineage, Mr. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro".
Further in this enlightening letter, R. Elchanan offers detailed instructions on correct study methods (see Hebrew description).
R. Elchanan Wasserman (1875-1941), a renowned Torah scholar and a foremost yeshiva dean in Lithuania. He was a disciple of R. Shimon Shkop in the Telshe yeshiva and prominent disciple of the Chafetz Chaim. He served as lecturer and dean in the Brisk (Brest) yeshiva and in other places. After WWI, R. Elchanan founded Yeshivat Ohel Torah in Baranovich. His teachings and lectures were published in the following books: Kovetz Shiurim, Kovetz He'arot, Kovetz Inyanim, Kovetz Igrot HaGaon R. Elchanan Wasserman and others. His approach in learning and his books serve until this day as the basis of intensive yeshiva study in the Torah world.
Recipient of the letter: R. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro (1917-2006), dean of the Be'er Yaakov yeshiva and a renowned Torah leader in the recent generation. He was born in Białystok to R. Aryeh Shapiro (a rabbi of Białystok and Tel Aviv. Son of R. Refael Shapiro of Volozhin and grandson of the Netziv). He studied in the Baranovich, Kamenitz and Mir yeshivot, and then immigrated to Eretz Israel where he studied in the Lomzha yeshiva in Petach Tikva. He was renowned for his intensive and diligent study, and for the exceptional joy he experienced in his Torah study (presumably, following the instruction of his teacher, who wrote in this letter: "If he learns according to his ability, there is no place for dejection"). After the Brisker Rav – R. Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik (his cousin) immigrated to Eretz Israel, he went to study under him for a while in Jerusalem. In 1949, he established the yeshiva in Be'er Yaakov, together with his colleague, R. Shlomo Wolbe, who served as mashgiach. In the early years of the yeshiva, he also served as rabbi of the town of Be'er Yaakov (later handing over the position to R. Moshe Jacobson Rabbi of Be'er Yaakov). He edified numerous disciples, including prominent yeshiva deans and leading Torah scholars. He also bore the burden of public leadership for many years, serving as head of Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, Chinuch HaAtzmai, and Vaad HaYeshivot, influentially leading the Yeshivot and Orthodox educational system together with R. Elazar Menachem Shach. His books include: Kuntres HaBiurim, Shaarei Shemuot, and others.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 14.5X21.5 cm. Approx. 12 autograph lines and signature. Good condition. Wear to folds, with minor tears.
This letter was published in Yeshurun (vol. 18, Kislev 2006, Section in Memory of R. Moshe Shmuel Shapiro, p. 303) and in other forums.

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