(The Steipler Gaon, 1899-1985). Autograph Letter Signed, in Hebrew, written to R. Simchah Elberg, author of Shalmei Simcha and head of the Agudath Harabanim of America.

R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (1899-1985), was known as the “Steipeler Gaon” after his hometown of Hornosteipel in the Ukraine. He briefly served as Rosh Yeshivah of the Novardok Yeshivah before he settled in Bnei Brak where he entirely devoted himself to an uninterrupted life of study. Renowned both for his Talmudic genius, as witnessed in the many volumes of Kehilath Ya’akov on the Talmud, and his piety - for many sought out his blessings. He yielded enormous influence within the Torah world and yet held no official office.