?Can one use two slices of bread as Lechem Mishna
Extraordinary Letter from the Netziv to His Son Rabbi Chaim Berlin Regarding family Customs Volozhin; 1848
Letter from the Netziv to his son, Rabbi Chaim, regarding an old custom of Rabbi Itze’le of Volozhin, his father-in-law, along with three other matters.
In the home of Rabbi Itze’le of Volozhin (son of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin and father-in-law of the Netziv) when a latecomer arrived at their Shabbos meal he will be given two slices of bread to be used for lechem minshneh .
Fellow students of Rabbi Chaim, son of the Netziv, argued that this custom had no basis as there was no virtue to two slices of bread. Rabbi Chaim argued in his grandfather’s favor and sent his words to the Netziv to hear his opinion.
The Netziv begins his letter: "My beloved son… I received your words with much satisfaction and see that you have given your heart to understand and be enlightened in G-d. May G-d strengthen your ways and enlighten you to be a respondent in the war of Torah…"
He concludes: "I would like to continue to enjoy with you, but I have many troubles at this time… And you shall inform me of your studies at this time, what and with whom. Let me know as well if the words were accepted by your dear friends, or what their claims are to contradict… Your father, Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin."
Rabbi Itze’le is mentioned in this letter among the living, dating this letter before the year 1848, when Rabbi Chaim Berlin was a mere fifteen years old.
Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (1816 – 1893), known by all as the Netziv, was the Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, author of Emek Davar, Emek She’aila and Meishiv Davar. He began studying in the Volozhin Yeshiva at the young age of eleven and was taken by Rabbi Itze’le as a son-in-law at age thirteen. He studied Torah undisturbed for twenty-five years until 1852, whereupon he accepted leadership of the Yeshiva. He served in this capacity for fifty years.
Rabbi Chaim Berlin (1832 – 1918) was the eldest son of the Netziv. He studied by his father and grandfather, Rabbi Itze’le, in his youth. He married at the age of fifteen whereupon he moved to Sklow to live near his father-in-law. During this time, he stayed in close contact with his father via letters, even assisting him in readying his sefer Emek She’aila for print. The present letter was written during his time in Sklow.
1 leaf | 25 x 19 cm | Double-sided | Good condition
