Bidspirit auction | Autograph Responsum of R. Shlomo

Autograph Responsum of R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin to R. Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog. Dated 1949. - Autograph responsum, entirely in the hand of R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin (1888–1978), addressed to R. Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel. The letter opens with the respectful salutation: ”לכבוד מרא דאתרא דישראל הגאון הגדול וכו׳ כש״ת מרן הגריא”ה שליט״א.” The responsum addresses a complex question of Yevamot at the intersection of classical halakhah and contemporary medical opinion: whether a yevamah may marry a kohen where physicians had determined that she had been incapable of bearing children even prior to her marriage to her deceased husband. Written during R. Zevin's early rabbinic career, the responsum illustrates the analytical style that would later establish him as one of the twentieth century's foremost halakhic writers and editors. Equally significant is its destination: submitted to R. Herzog, then serving as the preeminent halakhic authority of the Yishuv, the letter documents the scholarly exchange between two of the era's most influential rabbinic figures at a formative period in the development of modern rabbinic leadership in Eretz Israel. The question seems to have been posed by R. Israel Porush, Av bet din in Sydney, Australia to Rav Herzog, with the latter’s published responsum appearing in his Heikhal Yitzhak (EH II:85). Considering that R. Herzog’s published responsum is dated 12 Kislev 1949 and Rav Zevin’s letter is dated Erev Shabbat Shuvah 1949 it appears that Rav Herzog consulted with Rav Zevin before issuing his decision. One postcard, written on both sides. Signed by R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin. Condition: Very Good condition Opening price: $400