A letter from the great gaon Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, one of the foremost Torah sages of the previous generation

A letter from the great gaon Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, one of the foremost Torah sages of the previous generation

An approbation letter from the renowned gaon Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, one of the greatest Torah scholars of the previous generation. Entirely handwritten and signed by him. Jerusalem, 5727 [1967]. Letters from him are truly rare.

The letter was given to the gaon and Jerusalemite kabbalist Rabbi Zevulun Hamburger on the occasion of the publication of his book Sha'arei Zevul [which later became a 14-volume series] and was printed in subsequent volumes of the series.

[1] sheet of paper, approx. 27x21 cm.

Moderate-good condition. Some aging stains. Wear at the edges, but the text remains entirely intact.

The gaon Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin [1887-1978], a Torah polymath and one of the greatest scholars of his generation. A renowned rabbi in Russia and in Israel, a dayan, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, and head of the Chabad Rabbinical Court. He ordained many rabbis, among them: Rabbi She'ar Yashuv Cohen, Rabbi Shila Raphael, and Rabbi Shlomo Kook.

His widespread recognition and great esteem led to immense public pressure for him to submit his candidacy for Chief Rabbi of Israel following the passing of Chief Rabbi Herzog in 1959. Nevertheless, he adamantly refused. One of his primary reasons for declining was his deep commitment to the Talmudic Encyclopedia. He recognized its significance and knew that if he took on the role of Chief Rabbi, he would not be able to continue its editing.