Soloveitchik, R. Yosef Dov-Bais Ha’Levy- סולובייצ’יק, ר’ יוסף דוב

Soloveitchik, R. Yosef Dov-Bais Ha’Levy.
Autograph letter of recommendation written for R. Shaul Chaim Horowitz author of Klilas Shaul. Dated Brisk, Fourth of Shevat 5683 (1883). The Bais Ha’Levy writes how the esteemed author’s first sefer was enthusiastically received by the Torah giants and thus encourages people to come to the author’s assistance to enable him to print the second volume.
R. Yosef Dov (Yoshe Ber) Soloveitchik (1820-1892) was a great grandson of R. Chaim Volozhiner. Known as an extraordinarily brilliant child, he learned in the great Yeshiva of Volozhin. He also spent time in Brod where he studied with R. Shlomo Kluger. In 1854 he was appointed as Rosh Yeshiva in Volozhin, where he served until 1865, whereupon he was appointed to become Rav in Slutzk. In Slutzk in addition to his rabbinical duties, he was closely involved in the education of the local youth. Amongst his disciples from that era were R. Yosef Rosen (Rogatchover Gaon) and R. Zalman Sender Shapiro. He fiercely opposed the Reform movement and eventually as a result of the activities of the “Maskilim” he left Slutzk and moved to Warsaw. When the Brisker Rav, R Yehoshua Leib Diskin left for Eretz Yisroel in 1877, the Bais Ha’Levy succeeded him as Rav of Brisk. He led the kehilla in Brisk until his passing when he was succeeded by his son R. Chaim who in turn was succeeded by his son R. Velvel and until today the Soloveitchik family remains synonymous with “Brisk”.
R. Shaul Chaim Horowitz (1828-1916) was a disciple of R. Yisroel Salanter and a son in law of R. Dovid Tevel of Minsk. Renowned as one the distinguished Talmidei Chachomim in Vilna. He later served as Rav in Dovruvna and in 1883 in moved to Eretz Yisroel settling in Yerushalayim. He cofounded Yeshivas Meah Shearim where he served as Rosh Yeshiva in addition to being the official Rav of Meah Shearim. Author of Klilas Shaul, Mitzpeh Shaul and Pri Eitz Chaim. His sefer Klilas Shaul (Vilna 1879) received warm approbations from R. Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor and R. Meir Leibish Malbim.
9 by 14 cm. Good condition, small holes very slightly affecting text.
Extremely scarce.
Opening bid $20,000