Rare Long Halachic Response from Rabbi Yisrael of Vizhnitz, Author of Ahavas Yisrael
Long halachic response signed by the Admor Rabbi Yisrael Meir Hager of Vizhnitz in 1902.
The response seems to be addressed to a young Rabbi Shalom of Shotz, shortly prior to his appointment as rabbi of Shotz.
The question posed regarded a
mikvah that had been drawn by a gentile without supervision from a Jew, whereby suspicion arose that the gentile may have drawn the water without leaving the requisite forty
se’ah in the
mikvah.
Before addressing the actual question, Rabbi Yisrael strongly positions, "
that you must scold the attendant with the admonishment that from today he will not make light of this matter in a place where, heaven forbid, there is fear of kareis."
Rabbi Yisrael Hager of Vizhnitz (1860 – 1936) was the son of Rabbi Baruch of Vizhnitz, author of Mekor Baruch, and was raised in the auspices of his illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz, author of Tzemach Tzaddik. In 1875, he moved to Dzikov to the home of his father-in-law, Rabbi Meir Horowitz, returning to Vizhnitz in 1878. He served as his grandfather’s right-hand man until 1893, upon when he was appointed Admor at the young age of thirty-three. During his tenure as Admor, his following grew and his name spread for his great "
ahavas Yisrael" (love for his fellow Jews).
1 leaf | 23 x 29 | Double-sided | Reinforced fold marks
