Autograph letter of recommendation, dated 1904, by the renowned Rabbi Eliezer (‘Lazer’) Gordon of Telz, written for Rabbi Moshe Shmuel (Shmukler) Shapiro. In keeping with the then common practice of young exceptional scholars seeking rabbinical appointments, R. Shapiro travelled to visit R. Gordon, to engage him in words of Torah. R. Gordon found the young R. Shapiro worthy and he penned this letter of recommendation, attesting to his scholarship and piety, to assist him in securing a rabbinical position. R. Eliezer Gordon (1841-1910), a brilliant Talmudical scholar, was a prime disciple of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. He served in various rabbinical positions, the most well-known of them being Telz, and is thus known as “Reb Lazer Telzer”. Under his devoted leadership, the yeshiva in Telz became one of the flagship yeshivas in Eastern Europe, attracting hundreds of students, as well as a most distinguished faculty. After a devastating fire struck the town of Telz in 1910, he travelled to London to raise funds to rebuild the community. While in London he passed away suddenly, and was buried there in one of the largest funerals ever seen by Anglo Jewry. R. Moshe Shmuel (Shmukler) Shapiro (1880-1962) was born in Volozhin and studied under many of the leading rabbis of his day. He was well known as a distinguished talmid chacham as well as a prolific writer who authored many rabbinic biographies. He immigrated to America in 1923, and in 1927 was appointed as Dean of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin where he served until his retirement in 1950. Some of his writings have been collected in R. Moshe Shmuel V’Doro. On personal letterhead. Fine condition with repairs with tape. Some markings. 13 by 21 cm. Exceptionally rare.
Brand
Auction 1
Previous Auctions
Auction History
Auction has finished
Auction failed because there were no bids| 2016-02-25 00:00 | Auction started | ||