RARE! FIRST TIME IN PUBLIC AUCTION! LONG TORAH LETTER HANDWRITTEN AND SIGNED BY RABBI CHAIM KANIEVSKY ...

RARE! FIRST TIME IN PUBLIC AUCTION! LONG TORAH LETTER HANDWRITTEN AND SIGNED BY RABBI CHAIM KANIEVSKY, WRITTEN TO RABBI ARYEH SCHECHTER OF BNEI BRAK. 1967.

The first letter of its kind, written by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky of Bnei Brak, to be offered in public auction. Rabbi Kanievsky is known for his short cryptic replies to the many questions addressed to him. Most of his letters are no longer than a few words, or a few lines at most. This rare and possibly unique letter contains 16 Talmudic questions on the first page of Massechta Sotah, and was sent to his friend Rabbi Aryeh Schechter in 1967.

The opening lines of the letter are also most remarkable: ‘to my dear friend the gaon and tzadik Rabbi Aryeh shlita, ... I received your letter and of course I do not have any complaints to you, as I know that you are engaged in Torah and mitzvos 24 hours a day ... I am sending you 16 questions on the first page of Massechta Sota and request that you study it in depth and give me your answers to them immediately (keep a copy for yourself), and if you reply correctly I will b’ezras Hashem Yisbarach send you more in the future...’ The letter concludes with best wishes on the birth of a daughter and comments regarding charity funds.

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (b. 1928), son of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky – who was known as ‘the Steipler’ [being a native of Hornosteipel in Ukraine] and son-in-law of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Settled in Eretz Yisrael in 1934, studied with his father and at Yeshivas Tifferes Tzion and Yeshivas Beis Yosef in Bnei Brak and the Lomzhe Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. During this period, he also studied with his uncle Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz – the Chazon Ish, and completed the study of the entire Talmud Bavli at the age of 17. After his marriage he continued his Torah studies at Kollel Chazon Ish, of which he took over leadership after the the passing of his father. Rabbi Kanievsky is renowned for his outstanding diligence in Torah studies and for his vast knowledge of all Torah literature. He is consulted from all over the world on Torah questions, as well as for his advice and blessings.

Rabbi Aryeh Schechter (1937-2020), studied at the Slabodka Yeshiva and was close to the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev Soloweitchik of Brisk and Rav Chaim Greineman, as well as to Rabbi Shaul Kosovsky. During the 1950s he was active in promoting religious life among immigrants in new Israeli settlements and towns, and in later years he became involved in the Arachim movement and other organisations that have brought many secular Israelis back to religious observance. For a time, he studied regularly together with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. Some of his lectures have been published under the title Aryeh Sha’ag.

1 side. 18.5 x 28 cm. Excellent condition.