(Dean of Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, Grodno. 1860-1939). Autograph Letter Signed, in Hebrew, on letterhead, written to R. Yerachmiel Wexler.

SHKOP, SHIMON YEHUDAH

Monday, Parshath Shoftim

Baltimore

1929

An emotional, heartfelt letter of consolation to a father whose son was killed during the Hebron Massacre of 1929. “With a torn heart and tears in my eyes, I will try to fulfill the commandment to console a mourner and ease a some of your pain upon the loss of your son, a wonderful pure soul who travelled to study beautiful words of Torah in a holy place. He was cut off in the prime of his life by terrible wrongdoers (bnei Avlah). The pain is as great as the ocean. …Since so many are in distress, sometimes one who feels the pain of others can forget his own pain. …May the blood of these pure souls atone for the Jewish nation and hasten the redemption. …I feel your pain and hope for your consolation.”

“R. Shimon” was one of the most highly regarded Roshei Yeshiva in pre-war Europe. He served in Telz and also Maltch, Brainsk and Grodno. His talmudic novellae and lectures recorded in his magnum opus “Shaarei Yosher” received universal praise. In 1928 he traveled to the United States in order to raise much needed funds for his Yeshiva. After delivering a lecture at Yeshiva University, he eventually acceded to President Dov Revel’s invitation to serve as a Rosh Yeshiva of Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan (RIETS) in New York. In his absence from Poland, R. Shkop was greatly missed by Rabbis Yisrael Meir Kagan and Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, who pleaded with him to return, which he did a year later. This letter is from the period he was in America. The stationery is in Hebrew and English along with an American telephone number.