3-Page Handwritten & Autographed Teshuvah by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. Vilna, 1927
Fascinating teshuvah by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski to a shailah posed by a Jewish doctor regarding whether it is permissible to intravenously feed a patient on Yom Kippur.
This teshuvah is one of the earliest known responses to this shailah, and all poskim who followed Rabbi Chaim Ozer and dealt with this question referenced the present teshuvah. Practically, the prevalent halachic ruling is to avoid feeding a patient intravenously unless its necessary for his health.
The foundation of this shailah is whether the prohibition of eating on Yom Kippur is defined by the enjoyment of the throat (swallowing) or the benefit of the stomach (digesting). The majority of Rav Chaim Ozer’s teshuvah centers upon a discussion by the Chasam Sofer regarding the definition “eating” in relation to the prohibition of eating on Yom Kippur. Ultimately, Rav Chaim Ozer rules that it is permissible.
Hagaon Harav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Av Beis Din of Vilna (1863-1940) was the leading posek and spiritual guide of the pre-Holocaust generation. He fielded halachic shailos from all parts of the Jewish world and was consulted upon every communal issue. Many of his teshuvos and chiddushim were printed in his 3-volume magnum opus Achiezer.
Vilna, 1927. [3] large leaves.
Page Size: 25 x 21 cm. Handwritten and autographed on personal stationery. This teshuvah was subsequently printed in Achiezer vol. 3 (Vilna, 1939) Ch. 61, where the name of the recipient and closing lines are omitted, and with few variations at the end of the text from this handwritten teshuvah.
