MELTZER, ISSER ZALMAN.

circa

Kletzk

1923

(Rabbi of Slutzk, later Rosh Yeshivah Etz Chaim, Jerusalem. 1870-1953). Autograph Letter Signed. Written to Rabbi Joseph Rosen in Hebrew on letterhead. Addressed as “She’eri” (my relative), congratulates the recipient upon his rabbinic appointment in America. “Our brethren in that free country should appreciate [Rabbi Rosen’s] greatness in Torah and his other qualities. God has willed that the great Rabbis of our country travel across the Atlantic Ocean to inject a breath of life amongst our brethren in America.” R. Meltzer requests that R. Rosen assist the Yeshiva. “The older giants of our generation such as the Chofetz Chaim, the Me’or HaGolah (Light of the Diaspora) R. Meir Simcha and R. Chaim Ozer are unable to come to America because of age or poor health. We therefore urge your honor do his utmost to save the Yeshiva.” * With: At end, an additional six-line autograph paragraph signed, by Rabbi Aaron Kotler. “Lebeth Pines”

A significant letter by R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, one of the most venerable of Roshei Yeshiva of Europe, anticipating that the United States was to become an important destination for the future development of Torah Judaism. Rabbi Aaron Kotler (1892-1962), was married to the daughter of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, and founded his own yeshivah in Kletzk, Poland, which after the war was reorganized in Lakewood, New Jersey. Rabbi Rosen had succeeded Rabbi Kotler’s father, R. Shneor Zalman Pines as Rabbi of Swislocz before moving to America.