Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim 5783

Date and Place: 5 Sivan 5668 (1908), Yafo

Recipient: Rav Shmuel Salant (the aged Rabbi of Jerusalem), Rav Chaim Berlin (Rav Salant’s assistant, son of the Netziv), and Rav Eliyahu Moshe Panigel (newly appointed Rishon L’tzion, Chief Sephardic Rabbi)

Body: My home was filled with light when I received your holy letter. For some time, I have awaited your light and salvation, oh giants of purity who are connected to the special beauty of the Holy City, may it soon be rebuilt. You have come to strengthen my hand in restoring the holy religion to its place, regarding the New Yishuv generally and the holy city of Yafo and the surrounding settlements specifically.

I hope we will build on this and will have affectionate communication on a regular basis, so that we can establish the Torah and Hashem’s statutes among the members of Hashem’s nation who are settling the Holy Land. This is the beginning of their path, to expand the activity to great matters that have a place among the lofty matters of the world. Thereby, the root of Yaakov, which is starting to take hold in the holy soil, through plants and fruits, will be a fulfillment of the prophecy of “Those who come will establish the root of Yaakov, and Israel will sprout and flower” )Yeshayahu 27:6).

Let us deal with what is now before us. Concerning establishing a good system for the taking of tithes from the produce with the supervision of committees, I lend my hand to your efforts. In anything that my weak abilities can accomplish, I will stand by your side. I am ready to transcribe your holy message and add my approbation to what you, giants, have written and present it to the councils of the agricultural settlements. We will see what they answer me.

I also hope to be in the settlements soon to inspect matters concerning orla and kilei hakerem (two of the agricultural prohibitions), as I do every year, with Hashem’s help. It is especially important this year, as we need to find special inspectors for this in all of the settlements because it is almost impossible to find a man as diligent, broad minded, and expert as the departed Rav Z. Shneur, z”l. I have already begun to assign individual inspectors to each settlement with vineyards. However, we still need to reinforce these matters; Hashem should save us by providing us with strength. Due to my visit, we will know clearly how to act in the new situation and improve matters. I hope to let you know everything [I have learned].

I end off with a blessing and a major request. May your holy hands always be with me, to elevate with a holy splendor of Hashem on the “holy mountains” of the New Yishuv, for the sake of Hashem’s Name, His nation, and His lot.

P.S. – What to do specifically with those who refuse [to cooperate], if such people will be found, we still need to decide on the matter with wise counsel.