Interesting Letter from the Gaon Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank: "Poile-Shtick" on the Mandate Authorities

Interesting Letter from the Gaon Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank: "Poile-Shtick" on the Mandate Authorities

Very interesting letter, entirely handwritten and signed by the gaon Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank, chief rabbi of Jerusalem, to Rabbi Ya'akov Yitzchak Yellin, who was one of the most prominent activists in Jerusalem, and one of the heads of the chief rabbinate's Va'ad HaShechitah. Request to receive a fictitious employment certificate for a new immigrant for the purpose of receiving a 'certificate.' Jerusalem, 1935.

In his letter, written on official chief rabbinate stationery (!) and with his full signature, Rabbi Frank does not hesitate to explicitly request from the person in charge of ritual slaughterers to give an employment certificate (fictitious) to Rabbi Meir Simchah, because he 'wants the merit of settling in the Holy Land.' Rabbi Frank concludes his request with the abbreviation וד"ל, that is [ודי לחכימא]. In the margins of the letter, there is a written confirmation from Rabbi Meir Reichmann, chairman of Va'ad HaShechitah, that his request has been received and will be carried out.

It is worth noting that the chief rabbi does not hesitate to send an official letter to his subordinates to issue a fictitious letter to deceive the authorities, and is not concerned about informing. This constitutes a badge of honor for the Old Yishuv in Jerusalem, that there was no concern about informers among them. Needless to say, Rabbi Frank is not doing this "Poile-Shtick" for personal or public gain, yet he risks his position to help a new immigrant who he may not even know at all.

[1] leaf paper, 21x21 cm. Official stationery, entirely in Rabbi Frank's hand and with his signature.

Fine condition: Filing perforations (torn). Fold marks. Tiny tear in the margins.