“Al Titein Hashem Ma’avei Rasha” – Letter in the handwriting and with the signature of the Gaon Rabbi Shabtai Yagel, Rosh Yeshiva of Slonim, written on the eve of the outbreak of the Holocaust, in which he refers to the difficult events befalling the Jewish people. Jerusalem, 28 Tishrei 5699 (October 23, 1938). Official letterhead of the Gaon during his tenure as Rosh Yeshiva of Slonim in Jerusalem.
In the letter, addressed to his family members, the Gaon refers to the harsh events facing the Jewish people in Europe with the rise of the Nazi regime:
“Mighty upheavals have taken place this month… the path of the wicked prospers, the righteous succumb before the wicked…”, He encourages them with words of hope: “But I say the opposite – may the Lord not grant the desires of the wicked, the evildoers from Ashkenaz… now the times favor wickedness… they shall fall, and we shall be strengthened in the Land of Israel…”. He expresses his hope that, with Gd’s help, these days will pass and deliverance will come to the Jewish people, and continues with some personal family matters. At the end of the letter, Rivka (apparently the Gaon’s sister) added a few words in her handwriting to the family.
The Gaon Rabbi Shabtai Yagel [1875–1958], Rosh Yeshiva of Slonim and member of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah. Born in the town of Piastek near Vilkovishk, he studied at the “Kibbutz HaPerushim” in the town of Eishyshok, and later at the Volozhin Yeshiva until its closure. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled to Vilna and from there made his way to the Land of Israel. He settled in Ramat Gan, where he established a yeshiva and taught there for 17 years until his passing.
[1] leaf, written on both sides. Very good condition.
