A newly published letter uncovers a special request by the Jewish community of Brisk on behalf of the Brisker Rov, Harav Yitzchak Zev (Velvel) Soloveitchik, requesting that the Frierdiker Rebbe establish his residence in Brisk, noting that the Rav “longs greatly to delight in your company.”

By Anash.org reporter

A fascinating letter dated 23 Av 5691 (1931) has recently been published in the Ginzaya Journal, shedding light on a unique request from the Jewish community of Brisk to the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Written on behalf of the city’s rabbi, the renowned Brisker Rov, Harav Yitzchak Zev (Velvel) Soloveitchik, the letter formerly requested the Frierdiker Rebbe establish his residence in Brisk, noting that the Brisker Rov “longs greatly to delight in Your company.”

The letter came following reports that the Frierdiker Rebbe wished to leave Riga, Latvia, and move to Poland. The Brisk community appealed to him to choose their city among the possible options, writing: “Our city of Brisk … known as Brisk D’Lita, is famous from ancient times as a city full of chachomim and learners, yirei Shamayim, scrupulous in His word, and devoted to the study of His Torah…”

They went on to describe the many Torah institutions in the city, including the Yeshiva Toras Chesed, founded by the previous Brisker Rav, Harav Chaim Soloveitchik, as well as a kollel and Talmud Torah. They also listed the community’s charitable organizations, such as a Bikur Cholim society, an orphanage, and more.

“Therefore, we, the undersigned”, the letter continued, “leaders, benefactors, and activists of the city, turn to your honor with this heartfelt request, in the name of our esteemed rabbi, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev the son of Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik (who longs greatly to delight in your company), and in the name of all the Jews of our city: that your honor kindly agree to place your residence among us, in our city of Brisk. We are confident that here your honor will find satisfaction and contentment in accordance with your spirit and will.”

The letter was signed by members of the Brisk community council, generous benefactors, and local askanim.

It should be noted that the Frierdiker Rebbe did, in fact, relocate to Poland several years later. A section of this letter (together with a facsimile) had previously been published in Hatamim, issue 11 (Menachem Av 5761 / 2001, p. 33), and it is now presented here in full.

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The full text of the letter:

With the help of Hashem, Thursday, for the parsha of “L’shichno tidreshu u’vasa shama”
The 23rd day of the month of Menachem Av, 5691 (1931)

To the honored Rebbe, the holy lamp, crown of Israel, our master, teacher, and Rebbe, shlita:

We have heard that it is your honored desire to relocate your residence to the land of Poland, to a city that would be fitting and appropriate to your spirit and will, and our city of Brisk has been mentioned among the options.

Our city of Brisk, now called Brisk-on-the-Bug, and known as Brisk D’Lita, is famous from ancient times as a city full of chachomim, learners, and sofrim – men who fear Hashem, are scrupulous in His word, and devoted to the study of His Torah. The majority of our inhabitants are Jews, most of them faithful adherents of the Orthodox tradition, dedicated to Torah and mitzvos.

Our city contains many institutions of Torah and tzedaka, such as the Yeshiva “Toras Chesed,” founded by our master, the righteous Gaon Harav Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik, zatzal ziya, in which about 200 fine young men sit and toil in Torah lishmah. There is also a kollel of precious yirei Shomayim preparing themselves for rabbinic positions. Our Talmud Torah spreads Torah among 700 children of varying ages from our city and the surrounding areas.

In charitable matters as well, we have an institution for lodging the poor, a Bikur Cholim society, a large hospital serving the city and surrounding towns, an orphanage, an old-age home, and gemilus chasadim.

How fitting and desirable it would be for our city to be chosen as the dwelling place of Your honor. Therefore, we, the undersigned – leaders, benefactors, and activists of the city – turn to Your honor with this heartfelt request, in the name of our esteemed rabbi, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev, the son of Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveitchik (who longs greatly to delight in Your company), and in the name of all the Jews of our city: that Your honor kindly agree to place your residence among us, in our city of Brisk. We are confident that here Your honor will find satisfaction and contentment in accordance with your spirit and will.

With the hope that Your honor will take our plea to heart and fulfill our request, we bless Your honor with life, peace, and all the best, and we eagerly await your favorable response.

Signed,
Mordechai Dov (Alter) Groisleit, grandson of the Gaon and dayan of Antipol, Rabbi Pinchas Michael—Chairman of the Hebrew community council here, Shlomo Lichtenstein, Michael [?] (Vice-Chairman), Avraham Skarvnik, Chaim Dovid [?], Avraham Dovid Feder, Moshe [?], Aryeh Leib Lieberman, M. Gordin, A. Zilberstrom, Shlomo Rotenberg [?], H. Krantz [?], Dovid Kushotap [?], N. Leib[?] Vilensky.

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