Rare Letter Reveals Chafetz Chaim's Humility: 'I Never Accepted Rabbinate'
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A rare, handwritten letter from Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen, the Chafetz Chaim, has been revealed, dated April 1909. In the letter, sent to the Rabbi of Boston, the Chafetz Chaim stated he never accepted a rabbinate and declined to get involved in a divorce matter due to his policy. The letter, which corrects a messenger's name and suggests an alternative, is expected to sell for around $60,000 at auction. It highlights his humility despite his significant influence on Jewish scholarship.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A rare 1909 letter from the Chafetz Chaim reveals his humility and refusal to accept rabbinical positions.
- The letter addressed a divorce document and messenger appointment, correcting a name error.
- The Chafetz Chaim stated, "it is known that I have never accepted a rabbinate myself."
- The document was sent to Rabbi Zalman Yaakov Friedman, the Rabbi of Boston.
- The letter is expected to fetch around $60,000 at an upcoming auction.
- The letter showcases the Chafetz Chaim's humility despite his influence on Jewish scholarship.
A rare, handwritten letter from Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen, known as the Chafetz Chaim, has been revealed, showcasing his profound humility. The letter, sent from Radin in April 1909 to the Chief Rabbi of Boston, Rabbi Zalman Yaakov Friedman, addresses a request concerning a divorce document (get) and the appointment of a messenger. The Chafetz Chaim noticed an error in the messenger's name, 'Shmuel Leib,' when the correct name in Radin was 'Moshe Leib.' He suggested appointing Moshe Leib's father-in-law, R' Yitzchak Tzvi, as the messenger, describing him as an educated man and a primary assistant in their study hall.
What makes the letter particularly unique is the Chafetz Chaim's explicit statement regarding his rabbinical duties. He returned the divorce document and authorization, stating, "It is not my way to get involved in matters concerning the rabbinate, and it is known that I have never accepted a rabbinate myself." He also mentioned he would be traveling for an extended period during the summer.
The letter was sent to Rabbi Friedman, who was the rabbi of Agudat Kehilot Kodesh in Boston and the son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Lipschitz. Rabbi Friedman was a close associate of the Chafetz Chaim, assisting in the distribution of his books and supporting the Radin Yeshiva.
Accompanying the Chafetz Chaim's letter are two other documents. The first is from R' Avraham Kaplan of Radin, writing on behalf of the Chafetz Chaim to return the divorce document to Rabbi Aryeh Mordechai Mirovis, the Rabbi of Radin. The second is from Rabbi Aryeh Mordechai himself to the Boston Rabbi, detailing the woman's exact name and how to send the authorization.
The letter is now held by 'Ganzim' and is slated for auction, with an opening bid of $30,000 and an estimated sale price of around $60,000. This document adds to a collection of historical evidence highlighting the Chafetz Chaim's unique character as a paragon of humility and simplicity, despite his immense Torah scholarship and influence on Jewish scholarship in his era and beyond.