Revelation of 'Divine Inspiration' in the Historic Letter by the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Revelation of 'Divine Inspiration' in the Historic Letter by the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Lengthy and important historic letter (over 300 words) dealing with that sacred institution, Chinuch Atzma'i, which enjoyed the special affinity of rabbinic leaders of the generation, entirely handwritten and signed by the posek hador, the gaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Sent to the gaon Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, chairman of the Council of Torah Sages and one of the founders of Chinuch Atzma'i. 26 Tammuz, 1953.

This constitutive letter was sent, as mentioned, in the middle of 1953. That year, the 'Government Education Law' was enacted. As a result, it became necessary to establish Chinuch Atzma'i to constitute an additional education track, beyond those anchored in the 'Government Education Law.' In this letter, written about a month before the inception of said law, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein tells the ga'avad of Lutzk about a special gathering he held in his home with the leaders of American Jewry (the Admo"r of Kapischnitz, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, R' Zev Wolfson). At this meeting, the rabbis outlined the purpose of Chinuch Atzma'i: "They will establish their sacred work on a proper foundation, to increase membership of yeshivahs and 'Beit Ya'akov's in all cities in the Land of Israel, so that the number of students should double and redouble."

In this important letter, we can observe the posek hador's spiritual inspiration, as to what he foresaw for Chinuch Atzma'i. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein details his vision for the number of students who will study in Chinuch Atzma'i: "The goal is that up to 100,000 students join Chinuch Atzma'i institutions ..." At the time, this number seemed totally disconnected from reality, yet the words of our sages are like crystal balls, and a word from them does not go unfulfilled. Now, 70 years later, in current times, Chinuch Atzma'i has reached its height (in a patently supernatural way). Official publications by Chinuch Atzma'i list the number of students studying in its institutions. Not surprisingly, that number is 100,000 - no more, no less.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [1895-1986] was a prominent halachic adjudicator in the United States, president of Agudat Yisrael's Council of Torah Sages in the United States and leader of American Jewry. Rosh yeshivah of Metivtah Tiferet Yerushalayim in New York. He was also known for his monumental Shu"t Iggrot Moshe series of books.

As is known, Chinuch Atzma'i in the Land of Israel very much occupied the gaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, as it did the other leaders of the generation. He was very active with, inter alia, the gaon Rabbi Aharon Kotler, to strengthen the Chinuch Atzma'i institutions. To this day, Chinuch Atzma'i is especially appreciated by rabbinic leaders of the generation, and we all remember the historic journey abroad by the gaon Rabbi Aharon Yehudah Leib Shteinman together with the Admo"r of Gur for Chinuch Atzma'i's travel fund.

[1] leaf paper, with stationery blank. 26.5 cm.

Moderate-fine condition. The letter has been professionally restored, damaging several words. Faded in places. Aging stains.

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