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LOT 306:
Sharp Polemic Letter Handwritten by the Rabbi of the Land of Israel, the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnefeld
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Sold for: $950 (₪3,268)
Price including buyer’s premium:
$
1,178 (₪4,052.32)
Calculated by rate set by auction house at the auction day
Start price:
$
500
Estimated price :
$1,000 - $1,500
Buyer's Premium: 24%
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Sharp Polemic Letter Handwritten by the Rabbi of the Land of Israel, the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnefeld
"I am astonished as to how great and renowned rabbis are not required to be concerned with the benefit of orphans?! Does it not say 'Do not enter into orphans' fields'!"
Beautiful and exceptionally sharp polemic letter entirely handwritten and signed by the rabbi of the Land of Israel, the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, sent to the gaon Rabbi Eliezer Silver, president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada . Jerusalem, 1930.
The letter deals with the exploitation of orphans amounting to large sums. The topic is not explicitly stated in this letter, but between the lines, it can be understood that there was some dispute between the administrators and attendants at the institution - [the Diskin orphanage?] and renowned rabbis in the United States, which resulted in the orphanage losing a lot of money. Rabbi Sonnenfeld states: "And the orphans' huge loss reaches the hundreds and thousands ... It's already been over half a year ... Each day the loss is palpable. How can this be allowed to happen in silence ..."
Rabbi Sonnenfeld prefaces that he is going out of his way with this letter because "I am not accustomed to writing letters, but my hand has been forced ..." He continues "We are certain that after due consideration, [you] will acknowledge that there should be a din Torah and anyone close to the situation, who can prevent the orphans' loss, is to be praised, and the matter should not be delayed ..." Rabbi Sonnenfeld then adds quite harshly, "And I am astonished at Rabbi A. Frankel(?) how he is not trembling from the orphans' loss - their Father in Heaven is extant ..."
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld.
[1] leaf. 22x28 cm. 19 lines. Official stationery. Entirely handwritten and signed by the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld.
Very fine condition. Fold marks, tiny tears at the edges of the fold, without lack.
