JAFFE, SHALOM ELCHANAN (Chief Rabbi of St. Louis, (1858-1923)

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

St. Louis

1893

Autograph Letter Signed to R. Shmuel Salant, Chief Rabbi, Jerusalem. Concerning a judicial dispute Jaffe had with R. David Rudensky concerning the correct spelling of “St. Louis” in a bill of divorce(“Get”). Jaffe felt it should be spelled “Sant Louiz” with a “Zayin” as the final letter, rather than a ”Samach” as his opponent had written

Jaffe, a product of the Volozhin Yeshiva, was one of the founding members of the Agudas HaRabbonim of the United States which he was president, he also authored a number of works on the Talmud and responsa, Chief Rabbi of St. Louis, Missouri, Jaffe's period of office was tumultuous due to his acerbic personality, often engaging in fierce polemics among his rabbinic peers. The vituperative letter here, demonstrates Jaffe's vitriol, accusing his opponents as being “scornful jesters and liars,” even "full-fledged heretics.” R. Shmuel Salant had previoulsy written Jaffe protesting his aggresive ways and Jaffe acknowledges here, he may have overstepped the bounds of decency in his tirade, however he unequivocally states he is more distinguished than any other American Rabbi and has no need to consult with them. Also contains autobiographical and genealogical material indicating Jaffe’s prominent forbearers. See Eisenstadt, Chachmei Yisrael Be-America (1903) pp. 60-61