Letter by Rabbi Refael Shapira of Volozhin

Letter signed by Rabbi Refael Shapira Head of the Volozhin Yeshiva. To Rabbi Asher Lipman Zarchi, Rabbi of Louisville community in the US. A thank you letter for his assistance in fundraising for the yeshiva by the emissary Rabbi Elchanan Ben Zion Kara. Volozhin, 1908.
Rabbi Rafael Shapira, Head of the Volozhin Yeshiva (1837-1921), son of Rabbi Aryeh Leib, Av Beit Din of Kaunas and son-in-law of the Netziv of Volozhin (Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin). Was renowned for his genius and diligence. From 1865-1881, he served as Head of the Volozhin Yeshiva together with his father-in-law, the Netziv. He served as Rabbi of Babruysk and other cities. In 1899, after the yeshiva was re-established, he returned to Volozhin where he was appointed Av Beit Din and Head of the Yeshiva. During World War I, he exiled to Minsk where he taught Torah for five years until his death. His son-in-law was Rabbi Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik, Rabbi of Brisk, author of “Chiddushei Rabbeinu Chaim HaLevi”.
Official stationary, 27.5 cm. Scribal handwriting and signed in his handwriting. Good-fair condition, tears and stains.