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Judaica and Hasidic Books and Manuscripts

Lot 79:

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Historic 1928 Lithuanian Autograph Letter – Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin Bendet Faivelson of Šaukėnai (Volozhin Alumnus & Haskalah-Era Author) to "Kol Israel" in Jerusalem

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Start price: £150

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Description

An exceptional primary document reflecting the deep global reach of Mandatory Jerusalem’s premiere Orthodox press, connecting elite Lithuanian rabbinic authors with the ideological heart of the Old Yishuv.

  • Overview: A fully handwritten and signed official community letter written in a crisp rabbinic cursive, drafted on the rabbi’s official bilingual stationery. It is explicitly dated on the eve of Rosh Hashanah: 29 Elul 5688 (כ"ט אלול תרפ"ח / September 14, 1928).
  • The Author & Volozhin Pedigree: Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin Bendet Faivelson (הגאון רבי ישראל בנימין בנדט פייוולזון זצ"ל; 1869–1940) was a highly respected Lithuanian halachic master and thinker who served as the communal rabbi of Šaukėnai (שוקיאן / Šaukėnai, Siauliai district, Lithuania). He proudly carries an elite spiritual lineage as an alumnus of the legendary Volozhin Yeshiva (ישיבת עץ החיים בוולוז’ין), having had the rare privilege of "pouring water on the hands" of the iconic Netziv (Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin) during the historic Haskalah-era transition years of 1889 to 1893.
  • Celebrated Rabbinic Works: Adding significant bibliographical prestige to this lot, Rabbi Faivelson was a noted author who published sophisticated, multi-disciplinary volumes printed in Warsaw, including:
    • Segulat Yisrael (ספר סגלת ישראל) – A profound, highly stylized three-part analysis mapping halachic ethics, homiletics, and scriptural commentary.
    • Tzeror HaChaim (ספר צרור החיים) – A complex philosophical and analytical treatise investigating human mortality, the soul, and timeless traditional responsa.
  • The Content: Writing directly to the editorial board of the historic weekly organ Kol Israel (קול ישראל) in Jerusalem, Rabbi Faivelson requests to arrange and activate his premium publication subscription, highlighting the thirst of Lithuanian Torah giants for reliable religious developments coming from Eretz Yisrael.
  • Collector’s Value & Market Provenance: Letters from the pre-war Lithuanian rabbinate—particularly those originating from the smaller, highly vibrant district seats like Šaukėnai—are rare, as nearly all local communal records were completely destroyed in the Holocaust. For pricing guidance and market context, a matching letter from Rabbi Faivelson’s correspondence historically commanded a benchmark hammer price of $200 at auction in 2012.

Condition report:

Status: Very Good Antique Condition.


Details: The official single stationery sheet is structurally secure, complete, and exceptionally clean, showing its original mailing folds. The paper exhibits a soft, light natural cream aging patina. The printed bilingual Hebrew-Lithuanian heading ("Rabinas I. B. Faivelzonas – Šaukėnai") is crisp, and the extensive handwritten ink text, margins, and beautiful graphic rabbinic signature are 100% bold and fully legible throughout.