Soloveitchik, Moshe. Autograph Letter Signed to R. Dov Katz in praise of the writer's son, Rabbi Joseph Dov (Baer) Soloveitchik of Boston

Historic letter relating to Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik's Campaign for Appointment as Chief Rabbi of Tel-Aviv (1935). Upon the death in 1935 of Solomon Aronson the Chief Rabbi of Tel-Aviv, an immediate search began for a successor. Vying for the position, considered one of the most prestigious in the rabbinic world, were Moses Avigdor Amiel (1883-1946), since 1920 Rabbi of Antwerp, and the relatively young Joseph Dov (Baer) Soloveitchik (1903-1993), since 1932 Rabbi of Boston. Soloveitchik's father, R. Moshe Soloveitchik, engaged in intensive lobbying to secure the position for his son, ultimately however, R. Amiel was elected Chief Rabbi of Tel-Aviv. R. Moshe Soloveitchik (1876-1941)was the son of R. Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik of Brisk, (“R. Chaim Brisker”) renowned for having revolutionized the Talmudic method of analysis. R. Moshe, besides transmitting R. Chaim’s teachings, applied his unique methodology to develop novellae of his own. After a brief stint in the rabbinate, first in Rassein, and later in Chaslavitch, Russia, R. Moshe taught Talmud in the Tachkemoni School of Warsaw. Thereafter he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva R. Yitzchak Elchanan (Yeshiva University), New York, where he taught until his death. This momentous letter (dated but ten days after Aronson's passing) is addressed to R. Dov Katz of Tel-Aviv (author of Tenu'ath ha-Mussar). R. Moshe Soloveichik prefaces his letter by saying that though he does not personally know the recipient, he has heard of him from Katz's father-in-law, R. Ze'ev Gold, a leader of the Mizrachi movement. The purpose of the letter is to acquaint Katz with the writer's son: "I would not be surprised if his Honor has already heard much about my son, but since in my opinion there are few capable of understanding this giant, therefore I shall describe him. There is no doubt that he is unique in this generation in comprehending all areas of Torah. Many years ago, the Chief Rabbi of Kovno [R. Abraham Dov Baer Kahana-Shapiro, author "Dvar Avraham"] wrote concerning him, 'The Halacha is as he decides in every area.' He is one of the most widely versed in our generation, proficient in the entire Torah, whether the laws be applicable or inapplicable, [such as] Zera'im, Kodashim [and] Toharoth. He has novellae in all these areas, and has penned a large work on the entire Code of Maimonides. In addition, he is worldly and a great savant in secular knowledge - all in a manner of purity ("al toharath ha-kodesh"). Beyond this, God has gifted him with a mouth that emits pearls, fighting the 'Wars of the Lord' and penetrating men's hearts... And now let us come to the matter for which I turn to his Honor..." R. Moshe goes on to write that his son's true desire was to settle in Eretz Israel, but for various family reasons, moved to America. Now that the question of the Rabbinate of Tel-Aviv has arisen, it occurs to R. Moshe and to all familiar with the subject at hand, that his son is by far the most fitting candidate for the position. "Only a man of such magnitude will have the ability to unite all the different factions within the Tel-Aviv community." R. Moshe prophesies that under his son's direction, Tel-Aviv will become a center of Torah learning. "Bi-mesuyam le-hatzlachath ha-yeshivoth" [Specifically, the yeshivoth will benefit]. In closing, R. Moshe asks that the recipient not only become actively involved in the campaign to promote the younger Soloveitchik's election, but that he furthermore keep the father abreast of developments. The Manfred Lehmann Collection possesses a related letter from R. Moshe Soloveitchik to Jacob Joshua Bauminger, Secretary to the Religious Council of Tel-Aviv, dated Elul 19, 1935. Tel-Aviv's loss was Boston's gain. As Lehmann wrote: "As we all know, the vote, two months later, fell on Rav Amiel, and it was through this historic decision that Providence saved the Rov (Soloveitchik) for America. Orthodoxy in America was thereby totally reshaped, for which we must be profoundly grateful." See EJ, Vol. II, cols. 846-7; Vol. III, col. 496; Vol. XV, cols. 127-8, 132-3