Letter by Vilna Leaders, Signed by Rabbi Yisrael Gordon Rabbi of the Chafetz Chaim and Rabbi Avraham Strashun

Long, flowery letter - detailed recommendation for the edition of the Bible with Mendelsohn's "Commentary" and the additions of Leib Mandelstam, signed by two of the leaders of the Vilna community, Rabbi Yisrael Gordon and Rabbi Avraham David Strashun. Vilna, Kislev 1851.
In the letter, they praise Mandelstam's work writing the traditional commentary on the Bible in a scientific language, in his effort to "save the faith" in his responses opposing the "New critics of our People, who do not belong to our People". they recommend that Mandelstam translate their letter to "the language of our country", and submit it as a memorandum to the Russian Minister of Education.
Rabbi Yisrael Gordon (1777-1855) was orphaned at the age of four from his father Rabbi Avraham who was a public leader of the Vilna community. He was raised from his youth among Vilna Torah scholars, and was one of the greatest Torah sages of the city and a community leader. He taught Torah in the city and was one of the teachers of Yisrael Meir HaCohen of Zhetl, later known as the Chafetz Chaim. In 1836, Rabbi Gordon was appointed rabbi by the government (succeeding the Ra'avad Rabbi Aveli Pasvoler). With the establishment of the Beit Midrash L'Rabbanim in Vilna in 1848, Rabbi Yisrael wrote a memorandum to Emperor Nicholas wisely explaining the liabilities of this institute. Rabbi Yisrael's only son was son-in-law of his friend Rabbi Avraham David Strashun who also signed this letter,
Rabbi Avraham David Strashun (1888-1955) was a scribe of the Vilna community, a brilliant Torah prodigy and influential community leader. His father, Rabbi Yehuda ben R' Matityahu Strashun, immigrated to Eretz Israel and died in 1828. Relative of the renowned Torah prodigy Rabbi Shmuel Strashun, author of Hagahot HaRashash.
2 pp. 36 cm. Good-fair condition, stains, light wear and tears. Wax stamps of the Vilna community.