Auction 45
Lot 183:
Strongly worded letter of response from Rabbi Moshe Sack regarding the letter sent to his father from the Eida Charedit in Jerusalem. Riga 1932.
Background: In 1932, toward the end of Rabbi Yosef Haim Zonnenfeld’s life (he was head of the Eida Chraedit), the movement (with Rabbi Zonnenfeld’s encouragement) began to look for a successor who could begin to serve in his place. A number of names arose, including that of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Sack of Riga. According to what was written in the letter from his son, it had already been agreed upon by the Eida Charedit, and a letter was sent to him signed by Rabbi Yosef Haim Zonnenfeld and the institutions Torah v’Chesed. In the end the appointment didn’t take place, to the discouragement of the Jews of Jerusalem and its rabbis.
In the letter before us is the reason why Rabbi Menachem Mendel refused to go to Jerusalem. His son writes cryptically regrading things that they had heard and prophecies they had experienced, and that his father cannot leave his place, that it would be to place a barrier in front of his people. He adds and explains that his father sees that the Eida is not united in its decision, and that there are those who would refuse to follow him, and that it would lead to disquiet, so he withdraws his hand and refuses to accede to the position. His father probably instructed his son to write this letter but did not do so himself out of politeness.
Exciting historical remnant from a forgotten piece of Jerusalem history. Leaf written on both sides, nice handwriting. 23x29cm. Folding creases, light tears without missing pieces, tape on the back of the letter without damage to text, overall good condition.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Dovber Sack (1871-1943) studied in the Volozhin yeshiva under Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik and considered him his rabbi until the end of his life, and then studied under his son Rabbi Haim HaLevi. He was considered a colleague of Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (the Ohr Someach). The Ohr Someach even sent him his writings to be printed. His home was always open, and during WWI he helped many refugees and rabbis who tried to leave Russia.
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