Autographed Letter by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Av Beis Din of Vilna, Regarding A Published Statement by Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman.
Vilna, 1937
Letter by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski regarding his medical situation and the doctors’ recommendations for his continued health. The letter also contains a controversial paragraph which was omitted from Igros Hagaon Rav Chaim Ozer (vol. 3 letter # 303) which states:
“Regarding the concern of Hagaon Harav Isser Zalman Meltzer shlit”a regarding the honor of my brother-in-law Hagaon Harav Elchanan Wasserman shlit”a, I am likewise surprised regarding the personal letter published in the newspaper, and I wrote to him about this.”
The “personal letter” that Rav Chaim Ozer mentions is the famous “michtav kana’us” dispatched by Rav Elchanan Wasserman to Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer (appeared in Genazym 13, Lot 98) which addresses several extremely controversial issues and was written using very strong language. The letter was also sent to other Rabbanim in Eretz Yisrael, among them the Chazon Ish.
The present letter reveals that Rav Elchanan Wasserman’s letter was printed in newspapers (presumably the Jerusalem-based newspaper Kol Yisrael), which aroused Rav Isser Zalman’s Meltzer grave dissatisfaction. Here, Rav Chaim Ozer mentions that he contacted his brother-in-law to inquire about the matter.
The letter concludes with Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski’s handwritten closing, “Longevity and blessing to his honor and his family. May Hashem send him a speedy recovery, and may he return home healthy and complete. from your dear friend with ongoing love, who esteems and honors him, and seeks his welfare” followed by his signature.
This letter was sent to his student Rabbi Reuven Katz who would years later become Av Beis Din of Petach Tikva.
Vilna, 1937. Written by a scribe. Last 1½ lines handwritten and autographed by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Official stationery. Page Size: 28×22 cm. Hole-punched in margins; small tear in fold with all text intact.
