Auction 63 Rare and Important Items
Nov 13, 2018 (Your local time)
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 37:

Letter by the Author of Aruch HaShulchan, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, Rabbi of Navahrudak (Novardok)

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Sold for: $3,200
Start price:
$ 2,000
Estimated price:
$3000-4000
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Interesting letter handwritten and signed by R. Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein Rabbi of Navahrudak, author of Aruch HaShulchan, to his relative R. Yosef David [Shachor] Rabbi of Siemiatycze. Navahrudak, Shevat 1904.
In an interesting letter, R. Yechiel Michel announces the engagement of his granddaughter Rashke [orphaned daughter of his son-in-law R. Efraim Zalman Shachor-Warhaftig, brother of R. Yosef David recipient of this letter], with R. Yehonatan Nachumovsky, nephew of R. Eliyahu Chaim Meisel of Lodz. At the end of this joyful letter, R. Yechiel Michel blesses the recipient "that he should see pleasure and satisfaction from his progeny and their children forever".
The Aruch HaShulchan recounts all the details of the shidduch and the undertakings of all parties. He relates that his son R. Baruch Epstein of Pinsk [author of Torah Temima] suggested the match and describes the progress of the shidduch, completed in Vilna in the home of his son, R. Dov Ber [the orphaned bride was a niece to both him and his wife Lifsha (Shachor), from her paternal and maternal sides, see article by R. Eitam Henkin, Chapters in the history of the author of Aruch HaShulchan, Yeshurun, 27, p. 662].
R. Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829-1908), Rabbi of Navahrudak, leading Lithuanian posek. Authored Aruch HaShulchan on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch and other books. Disciple of R. Eliyahu Rabbi of Babruysk and disciple of R. Itzele in the Volozhin Yeshiva. Son-in-law of R. Yaakov Berlin (the Netziv's father) and by second marriage father-in-law of the Netziv's brother-in-law.
The recipient, R. Yosef David Shachor (died 1906), grandson of R. Chaim Leib Shachor of Mir [brother-in-law of R. Yechiel Michel, sons-in-law of R. Yaakov Berlin of Mir]. His late brother was R. Yechiel Michel's son-in-law, sons of R. Alexander Ziskind Shachor of Ruzhany and Jerusalem. R. Yosef David was the disciple of his relative the Netziv of Volozhin. Served 11 years in the Antopal community and from 1900 as Rabbi of Siemiatycze.
Several letters by the Aruch HaShulchan to R. Yosef David Rabbi of Siemiatycze about the shidduch and marriage of R. Yosef David's niece were printed in the book Zecher Avot [containing the history of the Shachor family, Tel Aviv, 1993, pp. 286-289], however, this letter does not appear in the book and is hitherto unknown.
Postcard, 9X14 cm. 13 lines handwritten and signed by him. Good condition.

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