One of the Last Known Letters of the Chafetz Chaim. ‘The Manchester Shechita Polemic’. Very rare.

One of the Last Known Letters of the Chafetz Chaim. ‘The Manchester Shechita Polemic’. Very rare.

This exceedingly rare letter - one of the last known letters from the hand of the Chafetz Chaim - was written shortly before his passing. In a most unusual move, the Chafetz Chaim becomes involved in the controversial dispute regarding the matter of Shechitah in Manchester.

The letter is addressed to Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov HaKohen Yaffe, son-in-law of Rabbi Yosef Yaffe, Rabbi of Manchester and founder of Manchester’s Yeshiva.

“Although I am far from the location of the event, and it is my practice never to get involved in these matters”.

Apparently, a great dispute regarding Shechitah, ritual slaughter, broke out in Manchester. The Chafetz Chaim, in his letter, warns to be careful of negative repercussions.

The Chafetz Chaim concludes the letter signing his full name, Yisroel Meir HaKohen of Radin. The Chafetz Chaim’s advanced age is apparent in his handwriting. Indeed, he passed away at the age of 94.

The letter is dated 9 Shevat 5693, almost exactly seven months before the

the Chafetz Chaim's passing on 24 Elul of 5693. Few letters from this last year of his life are known to exist.

The Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen of Radin, (1838-1933) authored the Chafetz Chaim and Mishna Berurah. He was outstanding in piety, purity and holiness, as well as unparalleled in his modesty. Alongside this, the Chafetz Chaim was famed for his tremendous erudition in all areas of Torah wisdom. His great works had a far-reaching impact across the Jewish nation.

One of the last known letters of the Chafetz Chaim.