Semicha for Shochet and Bodek in his handwritten note and signature of Rabbi Raphael Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of ...

Before us is a semicha for Shochet and Bodek [ritual slaughterer and inspector], handwritten and signed by Rabbi Raphael Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Volozhin.

This semicha was granted to Rabbi Yaakov Kapl, son of Moshe Yehuda Leib from the city of Pinsk.

This semicha was given during Rabbi Raphael's service as the Rabbi of Bubruisk.

Rabbi Raphael Shapira, a luminary and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Volozhin (5597-5681): was the son of Rabbi Aryeh Leib, the Av Beit Din of Kovno and the son-in-law of the Netziv of Volozhin. He was renowned for his brilliance and diligence. In the years 5625-5641, he served jointly with his father-in-law as the Rosh Yeshiva of the Volozhin Yeshiva, and together they faced the difficult decision to close the head of all the yeshivot - 'Em HaYeshivot' in defiance of the authorities' demand to teach the Russian language in the yeshiva. After the closure, Rabbi Raphael served as a rabbi in Bubruisk and other cities. In 5659, when the yeshiva was re-established, he returned to Volozhin and was appointed as the Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva. During World War I, he relocated to Minsk, where he disseminated Torah for about five years until his passing. His Torah insights and responsa were published in three volumes of his book 'Torat Raphael.' His son-in-law was the Gaon Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik, the rabbi of Brisk, author of 'Chiddushei Rav Chaim HaLevi.'

[1] Page. 22 cm. Very good condition. Fold marks.