Bidspirit auction | (CHOFETZ CHAIM). Autograph Letter Signed

(CHOFETZ CHAIM). Autograph Letter Signed written in Hebrew by Menachem Mendel Zaks, the son-in-law of the Chofetz Chaim, on letterhead of his father-in-law, to R. Dovid Potash of Tel Aviv. Posing several questions and concerns from the wife of the Chofetz Chaim, relating to the family’s impending immigration to Eretz Israel. Two pages. Radun, 11th(?) Tammuz, 1925. R. David Potash of Tel Aviv greatly assisted the Chofetz Chaim in organizing his intended (but ultimately aborted) Aliyah to Eretz Israel in 1925. In 1924 the Chofetz Chaim discretely began to make plans to leave Warsaw and permanently settle in Eretz Israel. When these intentions became publicly known, a huge outcry arose and numerous community leaders ceaselessly prevailed upon the Chofetz Chaim not to leave so very many, leaderless. Yet the Chofetz Chaim would not change his mind and continued preparing for his immigration to Eretz Israel loyally assisted by David Potash, a dedicated follower based in Tel Aviv. However on the very day of departure, the Chofetz Chaim’s Rebbetzin took ill and departure was delayed. Shortly thereafter, the decision was made not to leave Poland at all and the Chofetz Chaim continued to serve Klal Yisroel in Europe until his passing. (See Michtevei HaRav Chafetz Chaim, letter no. 116). In the present letter, the Chofetz Chaim’s son-in-law reports of progress made in preparations for immigration, scheduled just a couple of months later. He further writes in the name of his mother-in-law, inquiring over matters pertaining to their new intended home in Petach Tikva: ”I inquire in the name of the Rebbetzin, who has heard that in Eretz Israel it is not customary to place the stove within the house. She wishes that the [new] home not differ from here, and thus requests the kitchen oven be located indoors rather than placed in the courtyard. She also inquires if one may obtain a Jewish maid in Eretz Israel and what her salary would be; or might it be more worthwhile to bring over a Jewish woman from here…” After the death of the Chofetz Chaim’s first wife Frieda (nee Halevi-Epstein, 1838-1903), the Chofetz Chaim married Miriam Freida (Schneider, 1875-1946), who was 30 years his junior. Among the children they had together was Feige Chaya, who later married R. Mendel Zaks who took over the Radin Yeshiva after the Chofetz Chaim’s death in 1933. During the war years Rebbetzin Miriam Frieda escaped Europe via Shanghai, and arrived in the United States in 1941 where she died five years later.