(The Chazon Ish, 1878-1953). Autograph Letter Signed, written in Hebrew to Rabbi Moshe Blau.

KARELITZ, AVRAHAM YESHAYAH.

22nd Ellul

Bnei Brak

1945

Concerning the education tax levied in pre-state Eretz Israel which was opposed by the Chareidim, who did not want to participate in a communal fund that would support schools they considered heretical. The Chazon Ish writes here that although some think it to be impossible to arouse the light of Judaism among the masses, yet “if we remain resilient in preserving the ways of religion, viewing the Torah as the main purpose in life, then there will most certainly be success.”

The brilliant Halachist R. Abraham Isaiah Karelitz (b. Kosova 1878 - d. Bnei-Braq 1953) was noted for his modest, unassuming lifestyle. He was wont to sign correspondence “Ish’” (literally, “a man”), the initials of his personal names, Abraham Isaiah - similarly, his numerous Halachic works carried the pseudonym, “Chazon Ish.” He held no formal rabbinic position, yet had profound influence on the development of Chareidi society in Israel and become universally recognized as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Jewry. In regard to this letter, see Moshe Porush Memoirs, Vol. II, pp. 190-3.