" Important Letter from Rabbi Rafael Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin
In this letter, Rabbi Rafael requests assistance in strengthening the financial foundations of the yeshiva and in helping with all necessary support for the yeshiva’s emissary, Rabbi Shmuel Shapira.
Rabbi Rafael notes in the letter that at that time the beis midrash was being rebuilt, "and within it, a large group of scholars and students who are Chachamim U’Bekiim V’e’yirei Elokim."
Rabbi Rafael Shapira of Volozhin (1837-1921) was the son-in-law of the Netziv of Volozhin and the father-in-law of the renowned Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk.
From 1865, he began delivering lectures in Volozhin, gaining a reputation for his sharpness and extensive knowledge across all parts of the Talmud and the methods of the Rishonim. After some time, he took up a rabbinic position elsewhere, and his son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, took over his place at the yeshiva. When the yeshiva reopened in 1899, Rabbi Rafael returned to lead it until his passing in 1921.
The letter is written in a unique and large ink, as was Rabbi Rafael’s personal practice—to use a feather quill rather than a fountain pen for writing his novelties and letters, due to the concern of "you shall not wield iron upon them" (see: Sefer Volozhin, 1970, p. 192).
Volozhin, 1906. 21X27 cm. Condition: Good. Small tears on the margins.
"Em HaYeshivot" – The Volozhin Yeshiva is the most famous of yeshivas in recent centuries, and the way yeshivas are conducted today is based on the practices established by its Adirei Hatora: Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner, author of
Nefesh HaChaim, the Netziv of Volozhin, the ‘Beit HaLevi’ of Brisk, and in later times, Rabbi Rafael Shapira, writer of this letter.
The yeshiva’s influence is enormous and evident even today. Nearly all the leaders of Lithuanian Jewry and yeshiva heads in the past 150 years either studied at the yeshiva or were students of its alumni, including: Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky, Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz, Rabbi Shimon Shkop, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, and many other great figures of the generations.
