“How can I bear this alone”
Letter by Harav Aharon Kotler. Salak, 1941
An emotional plea on behalf of the student body of Kletsk Yeshiva during their escape at the outbreak of World War II.
Harav Aharon Kotler describes the difficult situation of the bachurim, which suffer from destitution and starvation. “I do not stop thinking of their bitter fate and escape even for a minute…How can I bear this alone?”
Along with his worry for his talmidim in Lithuania, Reb Aharon worked actively to rescue “our students in Japan and Shanghai who are suffering the most difficult of conditions.”
With the outbreak of World War II, talmidim of Kletsk fled with their Rosh Yeshiva Reb Aharon Kotler to Vilna, and from there to Yanova. Following persecution by the Bolsheviks, the Yeshiva split into three groups, one in Salak near the border with Latvia, a second group in Dushiat and a third in Ducsat. Reb Aharon himself dwelled in Salak, and it was from there that he sent this letter.
Printed on the stationery are the words, “Aharon Kotler, Rosh Yeshivas Kletsk, currently situated in the cities of Salak and Dushiat, Lithuania.”
Rare letter depicting the history of the Kletsk Yeshiva and Rav Aharon’s efforts on behalf of his students in the darkest of times.
Salak, 1941. Typewritten letter. Page size: 27×21 cm. Autographed by Harav Aharon Kotler. Good condition.
Harav Aharon Kotler (1982-1963) was one of the venerable Lithuanian Roshei Yeshivah of the pre-Holocaust era who endeavored mightily to rebuild a world of Torah from the ashes. As Nasi of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and one of the foremost Roshei Yeshivah in America, he founded Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey, stimulating a revolution of Torah in America.
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