Letter from the Gaon of Rogatchov R. Yosef Rosen - Reference to the Opinion of the Chazon Ish in the Polemic ...

Letter from the Gaon of Rogatchov R. Yosef Rosen - Reference to the Opinion of the Chazon Ish in the Polemic Surrounding the Commandments Applying in Eretz Israel in Regard to Oranges - Dvinsk, 1933
Halachic responsum handwritten and signed by R. Yosef Rosen, the Rogatchover. Addressed to R. David [Potash, of Tel Aviv]. Dvinsk (Daugavspils), Chanukah 1933.
The first part of the letter pertains to rejoicing on Chanukah: "And he shall rejoice on Chanukah, following the ruling of the Rambam in the laws of Chanukah that one must rejoice". The Rogatchover further offers a novel reason as to why there is an obligation to rejoice on Chanukah, and explains the concepts of praise and thanksgiving. This first part of the letter was presumably not published (though a similar idea was printed in Responsa Tzofnat Pane'ach HaChadashot, Modiin Illit, 2010, I, p. 115).
The second part of the letter discusses the laws of Orla as they apply to oranges, as well as the subject of observing Orla and Shemittah nowadays. The Rogatchover concludes the letter by thanking the recipient for money he had sent, and blesses him on this account: "Many thanks for the 3 U.S. dollars, and may he be blessed with the threefold Priestly blessing…".
Background to the letter: In late 1933, R. Yosef HaLevi Dinkeles sent a letter to R. David Potash of Tel Aviv, an associate of the Chazon Ish, requesting that he inquire as to the Chazon Ish's opinion on the laws of Orla in regard to oranges, and whether this fruit shares the status of the Etrog apropos Maaser Sheni and Maaser Ani. R. David Potash relayed the question to the Chazon Ish, who replied to R. Dinkeles with a detailed letter, the conclusion of which was that oranges share the same halachic status as the Etrog. R. David sent a copy of the question and answer to the Rogatchover, asking for his view on the matter, to which the Rogatchover responded with this letter. In his opinion, oranges "are not at all like Etrogim, rather like all other fruit" (the letters of the Rogatchover and the Chazon Ish regarding the laws of Pe'ah as applied to oranges were published in the Torat HaAretz anthology, published by the Beit Midrash for Torat Eretz Israel in Petach Tikva).
Most of the second part of this letter, together with an explanation of its background, was printed in Responsa Tzofnat Pane'ach HaChadashot, III, p. 298-303, based on a copying of this letter made by R. Yosef HaLevi Dinkeles.
[2] leaves. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Dampness damage, with ink smears to several words. Folding marks, with minor tears.