BLATTER DES KEREN HATHORA – A Rare Pamphlet Published by the “Keren HaTorah” Organization Upon Its Founding in 1923, Calling for Support of Yeshivot and Torah Institutions That Were Damaged or Closed During World War I – A Historical Essay by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin, in Which He First Outlines in Detail His Vision for the Establishment of Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin (YCh”L). Vienna, Nissan 1924. German.
The pamphlet begins with an anecdote about the Chafetz Chaim, who, upon returning from a trip to Vienna, visited a small town in Lithuania for a brief stay. When a large crowd gathered at the train station, they asked him to speak about the importance of “Keren HaTorah.” The Chafetz Chaim replied, “What is the need for a long speech? This is the meaning and purpose of our lives.” The pamphlet reviews the activities of the fund, established shortly before, aimed at building and strengthening Jewish Torah learning institutions worldwide. Articles from various rabbis are included, discussing the importance of Torah institutions and their support across the globe.
At the center of the pamphlet is an essay by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin (then residing in Piotrków) titled “A World Yeshiva in Lublin” in which he presents his vision for Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin, which would be established six years later. He explains why he chose the city of Lublin to establish the yeshiva and how he meticulously planned every detail, from selecting the appropriate location to designing the physical and spiritual structure of the yeshiva:
“When the Polish Aguda leadership decided to establish a large yeshiva in Poland, the first place I suggested was the city of Lublin. Two factors motivated me to do so: the city’s location and its historical memories. It is well known that a large cosmopolitan city is not a suitable place for a quiet house of learning. The noise and bustle of the cosmopolitan city, which more or less engulfs everyone, harm the intellectual concentration required for serious study. Therefore, we also see that the most famous German universities are located in small towns like Heidelberg, Marburg, etc.” He adds that, on the other hand, small towns lack the sanitary conditions suitable for a healthy lifestyle.
“In Lublin, I found a large Jewish city with the character of an old Jewish small town. The city’s political and administrative situation, as well as the abundance of modern hygiene institutions, make Lublin a large city, while the quiet life in the peaceful streets has preserved the character of an old Jewish small town. As for historical tradition, it is known that Lublin played a leading role in Jewish spiritual history. Every stone in Lublin is a reminder of this community’s great past, while in other Jewish centers, the traces of this past can only be found in archives. The houses of the Maharam and the Maharshal are monuments to the city’s great past. From all these considerations, I arrived at the plan to implement the decisions regarding the establishment of large yeshiva centers, beginning in Lublin.”
Rabbi Meir Shapiro then elaborates on how he envisions the internal structure of the yeshiva he plans to establish: “How should the planned yeshiva be established? According to the plan already formulated, the yeshiva will be divided into four large groups of 120 students each. The students will be divided according to their abilities, and each group will receive lessons according to a specific curriculum. The four groups will bear the names of the famous rectors of the old Lublin yeshiva: Rabbi Shalom, Maharshal, Maharam, and the first Maharshal. The buildings will meet the most modern hygienic and technical requirements. A dormitory will also be added. Each department will be housed in a special building and will have its own Beit Midrash. The students will pray in public throughout the week. Each group will have its own Rosh Yeshiva. In front of the four buildings will be a large synagogue where all the students will pray on Shabbat and holidays. At the head of all departments will be an administrator whose main duties will include the regular examination of the students.
The yeshiva should be called ‘Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin.'”
Rabbi Meir Shapiro also outlines in great detail the yeshiva’s curriculum: “According to the plan already established, boys aged 14, that is, elementary school graduates, should be admitted. The course of study will last seven years. The curriculum covers the entire Shas, Tosafot, and Shulchan Aruch. This seems very extensive, but with some goodwill and average abilities, the curriculum can be completed. The overall supervision of the yeshiva will be entrusted to a board of trustees from Keren HaTorah in Warsaw, which will determine the curriculum and financial management. The board of trustees consists of 50 members, including the most important rabbis, as well as financial figures and Orthodox public leaders. A local board of trustees will also be available.”
Rabbi Meir Shapira adds that the preparatory work for the construction of the yeshiva is in full swing, and that he has already established contact in Lublin with several esteemed members of Lublin Orthodoxy who have already agreed with his plan. He details the necessary expenses for the construction and the fundraising plan. He concludes:
“In the spring, the cornerstone will be laid for this future center of Torah study, which will bring honor not only to Lublin but to all of Judaism.”
Further on, there are details about the organizational regulations of the “Torah Fund” and the organizational planning of the fund in various European countries, as well as a call from the Rabbinical Council to “our Jewish brothers in all the Diasporas” about the necessity of the hour to strengthen Torah institutions: “We raise our voice like the sound of a shofar across all parts of the globe, Jewish brothers! Gather around the eternal banner… to strengthen Torah and religion…”, and details on the dire material condition of the Lithuanian yeshivas.
The Yeshiva of Chachmei Lublin was initially established with the aim of restoring the city of Lublin to its former glory as an important center of Torah study in Poland. At its founding, the yeshiva was one of the most magnificent in Poland. The uniqueness of the yeshiva was exactly as Rabbi Meir Shapira outlines here, in that it provided all the needs of the students, including food and lodging, so that they would not have to rely on local homeowners as was customary until then. The yeshiva housed about 400 students and was located in an impressive six-story building. Six years passed from the detailed planning before us until Rabbi Meir Shapira was able to actually establish the yeshiva exactly as he had envisioned.
The Torah Fund was an organization established by Agudath Israel to support yeshivas and Torah institutions in the Land of Israel and Europe. The organization was founded at the first Knessia Gedolah a year earlier in 1923, after the issue of rebuilding the destruction left by World War I was raised. Due to the war, many communities were destroyed during their flight, their Torah institutions closed, and after the war, no new institutions were established. Even the yeshivas that were operational were facing financial difficulties. The participants of the Knessia Gedolah decided to establish a fund to support existing yeshivas and to open new yeshivas and institutions. Sixteen leading rabbis from all spectrums signed the “Kol Koreh” (public proclamation) in support of the fund, led by the Chafetz Chaim, thereby laying the foundation for the entire Torah world in the years following the war.
46 leaves. Stains on the cover. Good condition.
