Controversy: Letter from the Dayan and Mo"tz of Pressburg, the Gaon Rabbi Yehudah Leib Rubinstein, to the Ba'al Lev ...

Controversy: Letter from the Dayan and Mo"tz of Pressburg, the Gaon Rabbi Yehudah Leib Rubinstein, to the Ba'al Lev HaIvri

Fascinating controversial letter about the author of Lev HaIvri regarding Kollel Shomrei HaChomot - handwritten by Rabbi Yehudah Leib Rubinstein,  dmo"tz and ra"m at the senior yeshivah in Pressburg, a disciple of the Shevet Sofer and a grandson of the Ktav Sofer. Sent to the gaon Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger in Jerusalem, author of Lev HaIvri. 1909.

"I will rebuke [your honor] with an open rebuke ... from hidden love, even to enter into one's friend's home suddenly has been forbidden by our sages, and [your honor] is lacking in this basic etiquette, and begins with the strict letter of the law ... words that puncture like a sword into prominent people and rashei kollelim simultaneously ..." - So begins the letter from Rabbi Yehudah Leib Rubinstein, dayan and ra"m in Pressburg, to his friend, "the rabbi and gaon, light of the Diaspora, the renowned and pious" Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger of Jerusalem, who had serious allegations against the nasi of the kollel, the Da'at Sofer [at the beginning of his tenure] and the heads of the kollel in Pressburg and in Jerusalem.

He adds "I am not a particular person myself, and this attribute I learned from my teachers, the sacred geonim, foremost among them the Mahara"m Schick ... who was known for his extreme humility ..."

The topic, in brief - Rabbi Akiva Yosef requested that he receive more than what was allotted to him from the kollel funds, sending several letters to the heads of the kollel for this purpose, both in Jerusalem and in Pressburg, and in some he wrote overly sharply. Due to the kollel regulations, the heads of the kollel were unable to acquiesce to his request unless they all came together for a dedicated meeting. The heads of the kollel also point out that he received an apartment for free for eleven years already, which is worth a significant sum beyond that allotted him by the regulations.

Rabbi Yehudah Leib also attempts to calm Rabbi Akiva Yosef, telling him that he is actually unable to help him, especially with letters written so harshly and sharply.

He also adds that in the past, when all the funds arrived in Pressburg, perhaps they could have sent more to select individuals, but at present, everything is sent directly to Jerusalem, and he cannot come to his assistance.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Rubinstein, dayan and ra"m of Pressburg.

[1] double leaf paper [2 written pages]. 14.5x22.5 cm, entirely handwritten and signed by him.

Fine condition. Fold mark. Hole extended from near the signature.