Letter by Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot, Av Beit Din of Raseiniai and Rabbi Yechiel Michel Wolfson, Author of Sfat HaYam

Letter by Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot, Av Beit Din of Raseiniai and Rabbi Yechiel Michel Wolfson, Author of Sfat HaYam
Letter by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Wolfson Av Beit Din of Joniškis and Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot, Av Beit Din of Raseiniai, to Rabbi Yosef Zechariah Stern, Av Beit Din of Šiauliai. Joniškis, Shvat 1885.
Letter regarding Rabbi Shraga Meir, son of Reuven Zvi [Leizrovitz] that "never had Torah and livelihood at the same time and now he is in a bad financial state and must accept upon himself the burden of the rabbinate…". Rabbi Yechiel Michel writes a lengthy praise of Rabbi Shraga Meir and requests Rabbi Yosef Zechariah Stern to write to the city of Krakės (in the Kaunas region) that is seeking a rabbi and recommend Rabbi Shraga Meir as worthy of filling the position.
Further on in the leaf, is a letter handwritten and signed by Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot, who at that time stayed in Joniškis, who joins the request to assist Rabbi Shraga Meir.
Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot (1819-1906), an outstanding Torah scholar in his time and one of the leaders of the Charedi Jewry in Lithuania, Rabbi Israel Salanter's right hand and one of the founders of the Mussar Movement. Disciple of Rabbi Hirsh Broide of Salant and Rabbi Avraham Abele Pasveler Av Beit Din of Vilna. Son-in-law of Rabbi Ya'akov Benditman Av Beit Din of Boisk. At the age of 17, he was appointed Rabbi of Jonava, and in 1866, became Rabbi of Raseiniai, where he served as rabbi for 40 years until his death. An exceptional Torah genius and one of the greatest rabbis who wrote responsa in his time, he joined current leaders in dealing with the problems confronting Russian Jewry and in reinforcing Jewish bastions in the everlasting struggle of maintaining the Jewish way of life. He was appointed to head the leaders of his generation who were called upon to arbitrate in the dispute of the Volozhin Yeshiva. In his youth, he became close to Rabbi Israel Salanter who greatly influenced Rabbi Lapidot, and became one of Rabbi Salanter's supreme admirers. He defended the Mussar Movement from opposition and contributed significantly to its spreading amongst the Lithuanian yeshivas. He was considered to be Rabbi Israel Salanter's right hand in his great endeavors; and became one of the founders of the Kollel Perushim in Kovne. Jointly with Rabbi Israel Salanter, the Chafetz Chaim and Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spector, he published the Etz Zvi compilation (Vilnius, 1881), about the great virtue of learning and supporting Torah. This compilation was published in the framework of his activities to raise the banner of Torah and change the attitude towards those who study Torah. His attitude towards Torah scholars can be seen in this letter where he writes: "It is fitting to help those who hold the oars of Torah and its great scholars, to help them in their difficult hours…". His work Divrei Emet, first printed anonymously, became one of the most comprehensive Mussar books printed in his times. Rabbi Yechiel Michel Wolfson (Otzar HaRabbanim 9278), a leading Lithuanian rabbi, disciple of the author of Beit HaLevi in Volozhin. Son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim Zalman Av Beit Din of Mir. Served as Rabbi of Selets and Parichi, and for many years as Rabbi of Joniškis. Was renowned for the three volumes Sfat HaYam responsa which was highly esteemed by the leading Torah scholars of his times.
See previous item regarding Rabbi Shraga Meir Leizerovitz (1840-1929), a tzaddik and Cabalist, born in Kelm, who traveled to London in 1890 and served there as Rabbi of "Chevrat Shas".
23 cm. Fair condition, stains, tears and folding marks. Glued on a paper leaf for restoration.