Historic Letter Regarding the Establishment of Agudat Israel by Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, Head of the Telshe Yeshiva, – 1909
A handwritten letter with the signature of the esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Gordon of Telshe, in which he writes about his desire to attend the gathering of the great leaders of the generation in Bad Homburg, Germany.
At this founding assembly – the “Homburg Assembly” – the leaders of the generation decided to establish the global movement of Agudat Israel. This initiative culminated approximately three years later at the famous “Katowice Conference.”
Rabbi Eliezer writes: “…I intend to come to the assembly, the gathering of the righteous, the great Ashkenazi sages with the great figures of Russia… and I request to be informed of the date of the assembly.”
This historic and limited gathering, which lasted about three weeks, included only national leaders from across Europe (unlike the Katowice Conference, which comprised hundreds of community representatives). Among the participants were: Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk, the Admor of Ger (the "Imrei Emes"), Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Rabbi Eliezer Gordon of Telshe, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Brauer of Frankfurt.
Rabbi Eliezer Gordon (1839-1910) was one of the great Geonim of his generation and one of the leading Roshei Yeshiva in Lithuania. A Talmid of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, he demonstrated exceptional talents from a young age. He was renowned for his sharp intellect, clear thinking, and profound understanding, coupled with noble character traits, which he imparted to his students in his renowned classes. From 1881, he served as Av Beit Din in Telshe, leading it to development and prosperity until its name was known throughout the world.
In 1910, he traveled to England to raise funds for the yeshiva but fell ill from great distress and was niftar. His responsa are compiled in the book
Teshuvot Rabbi Eliezer. [See Tnuat Hamusar, Vol. 2, pp. 347-354]
Bad Kissingen, Germany, 1909. All in Rabbi Eliezer’s handwriting.
9X14 cm. Good condition.
