An Historic Letter from Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski – The Founding of the First Global Orthodox Jewish Organization! – Wiesbaden (Germany), 1907
Lines in the handwriting of the leader of his generation – Rabbi Chaim Ozer of Vilna, a leader of the generation alongside the Chofetz Chaim
The letter deals with historic activities to establish the first Orthodox Jewish organization, preceding the establishment of Agudath Israel – an organization that would change the face of Orthodox Judaism for the better
Rabbi Ozer writes: "The ‘Knesset Israel’ organization has not yet been approved, but I hope that in a few days it will be approved, " and he asks the recipient to write to him about additional proposals on the matters that are on the agenda.
The ‘Knesset Israel’ organization – the first Orthodox Jewish organization, was founded by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, and he was at its head. Within the framework of this organization, the great rabbis of the generation gathered and discussed the needs of the time while preserving Jewish ideals, It constituted a historic turning point in the form and organization of Orthodox Judaism throughout Europe.
After a very short time however, the organization was closed by order of the hostile government. Agudath Israel developed in its place, and thus ‘Knesset Israel’ effectively formed the basis and foundation for the establishment of Agudath Israel (as the Rabbi himself writes in a letter from 1920: Igrot RCO, Vol. 2, Letter 134).
Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Chief Rabbi of Vilna (1863-1940) was the leader of Orthodox Judaism in the generation before the Holocaust, and one of the main speakers on every issue. He worked with all his might to strengthen the power of Orthodox Judaism through conventions of the great rabbis of the generation and the establishment of public organizations in the way of traditional Judaism.
The letter was printed in the book
Igrot R’ Chaim Ozer, Vol. 1, Letter 290.
Wiesbaden (a spa town in Germany), Cheshvan 1907. Two pages in the handwriting and signature of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. 11.5X18 cm. Good condition. Tiny tear on the margins.
