International Date Line Controversy: Archive of the Gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Father of Luach Eretz Yisrael

International Date Line Controversy: Archive of the Gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Father of Luach Eretz Yisrael

Huge collection of historic documents [over 40 leaves] that deal with one of the halachic topics that caused a stir in the Torah world during the Holocaust years - 'The International Date Line Controversy.' All the rabbinic leaders of the free world, led by the Chazon Ish, were called upon, given that the most serious halachic issues depend on it: Shabbat observance and the Yom Kippur fast.

Among the documents:

* Copies of works by the Early Authorities.

* Many astronomical sketches for the comprehension of the issue.

* Letters from Rabbi Michel Rabinowitz of Jerusalem.

* Letter with comments from R' Avraham Ya'akov Breuer.

* Letter from Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky to the gaon Rabbi Aharon Kotler.

* Letter from Prof. Avraham Frankel - a math professor at the Hebrew University.

* Very lengthy letter from Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky to Professor Shmuel K. Mirsky.

* Interesting letter full of content, anonymous.

* Letter from R' Yonah Mertzbach.

* Interesting letter full of content from Prof. Yoel Frankel.

* Letter from Prof. Avraham Frankel, expert in mathematics.

* Response to Prof. Frankel's words and also to those of the gaon Rabbi Sh. Y. Zevin.

* Article by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky 'Regarding the Question of Shabbat in Japan' together with handwritten supplements.

* The book HaYomam B'Kadur HaAretz (Jerusalem, 1943) - book by the gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky on the topic - author's copy.

The International Date Line Controversy: Question that caused a stir in the Torah world during the Holocaust years following the transfer of the Mir yeshivah from Lithuania in Europe to Japan, on 'the other side of the date line.' Rabbinic leaders of the generation (centered in the Land of Israel during those years of fury), led by the Imrei Emet of Gur, appointed the gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky as the foremost expert on the topic and progenitor of Luach Eretz Yisrael, to gather all that was said about this subject and determine when Yom Kippur is to occur in Japan. Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky's determination, to fast on Wednesday, was accepted by the rabbinic leaders of the generation, despite that, astonishingly, his ruling was different from that of the Chazon Ish, who sent the famous telegram to Japan in which he wrote: "Eat on Wednesday and fast on Thursday, and do not be concerned about the matter." Unusually, the Chazon Ish even sent a letter to Jerusalem to dispute the gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky and Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer to prove that the law is as he determined. The gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, despite his respectful submission to the the Chazon Ish, in Torah discussion, when one is not to be afraid of any person - not even an angel - published his book HaYomam B'Kadur HaAretz in response, in which he obviously writes the Chazon Ish's opinion as well. Yet Rabbi Yechiel Michel resolutely stands by his opinion and disagrees with the Chazon Ish on the subject. (For a more extensive discussion, refer to the Hebrew text in the web page about this item on Winner's and Bidspirit's sites).

Approximately [42] leaves in various sizes. Most are typewritten with handwritten comments and some contain handwritten/drawn notes. With several original envelopes. With the author's copy of HaYomam.

Overall condition: Very fine.