(Rabbi of Pruzhan, known as R. Elya Pruzhiner. Author of Halichoth Eliahu, d. 1929)

FEINSTEIN , ELIJAH

v.p

1905 and 1912

Autograph Letter Signed. On headed paper to R. Gedaliah Nachman Broder concerning the offer to serve as Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. pp.2. * WITH: GRODZENSKI, CHAIM OZER (Spiritual leader of Lithuanian Jewry, 1863-1940). Signed Letter. On headed paper to the leaders of the communal Kollels, affirming that Elijah Feinstein will accept the position of Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. pp.1

As the accepted leader of Orthodox Jewry the world over, R. Chaim Ozer Grodzenski acted as chief consultant recommending various candidates for the exalted position of Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. In his 1905 letter Rabbi Feinstein writes he demurred from accepting the position himself in defernce to the community of Chassidim who were opposed to the establishment of this central position. Two important letters portraying the protracted negotiations concerning this highly combustible position. Elijah Feinstein was the father-in-law of R. Moshe Soloveitchik (see Lot ***), and the maternal grandfather of Rabbi J. B. Soloveitchik. For further information, see S. Meiselman, The Soloveitchik Heritage (1995)