ABRAMSKY, YECHEZKEL (“Reb Chatzkel, ” Rabbi in Slutzk, Av...

ABRAMSKY, YECHEZKEL

(“Reb Chatzkel, ” Rabbi in Slutzk, Av Beth Din in London, Rosh Yeshiva in Bnei Braq, 1886-1976). Autograph Letter Signed written in Hebrew to the Chief Rabbinate of Tel Aviv on London Beth Din letterhead.

Concerning a divorce matter. One page.

London, 23rd Shevat, 1941.

R. Yechezkel Abramsky studied in several of the leading yeshivos in Lithuania and grew to become a close disciple in Brisk of R. Chaim Soloveitchik. His learning was such that he served as a community Rabbi while still in his teens. Following severe religious oppression as a result of Soviet Communist policy, R. Abramsky became a prominent resistance figure, leading a rabbinic Vaad along with R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin, and publishing the rabbinic journal Yagdil Torah. Eventually arrested, the Soviets sentenced him to five years hard labor in Siberia. After two years’ confinement, he was released through a prisoner trade arranged with the intervention of German Chancellor Heinrich Brüning.

R. Abramsky left the Soviet Union, and arrived in London in 1931 where he led the Machzikei Hadath community; later he was appointed President of the London Beth Din by Chief Rabbi Hertz. After 17 years in England, he moved to Israel where he served as Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka in Bnei Brak. His major work is Chazon Yechezkel, a complete commentary to the Tosefta.