"Not to Become Gashmiyusdik in America – So That You May Return Home Whole in Neshama and Guf"
A Holy Handwritten Letter by the Gaon HaKadosh, Rav Shaul Brach, zt”l, Av Beis Din of Kashau
A
holy letter entirely in the sacred handwriting and signature of the renowned
Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Shaul Brach, zt”l, Av Beis Din of Kashau, written after the passing of his sister, to her son who was residing in America. The letter contains words of
nichum aveilim, as well as
mussar and guidance for his nephew.
The recipient was
Rav Dovid Ordentlich, a”h, son of the
Gaon Rav Chaim Gershon Ordentlich, zt”l, Av Beis Din of Tállya, and his
righteous wife, Rebbetzin Sarah, a”h, the sister of the Gaon of Kashau, zt”l. Rav Chaim Gershon and his wife were
zocheh to ascend to Eretz Yisroel, where Rav Chaim Gershon became one of the prominent rabbanim of
Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, signing his name on a public declaration against the spread of haskalah in the holy city. Their son Rav Dovid was forced to travel to
America, and after his mother’s
petirah, his uncle, the Gaon of Kashau, zt”l, sent him this letter of
nichumim, infused with powerful words of
mussar—warning him not to become too immersed in the gashmiyus of America.
At the
beginning of the letter, the Kashauer Rav, zt”l, writes:
"It pains me greatly regarding my sister, your righteous mother…"
He continues:
"And now, upon you rests a sacred obligation, as you are her only son—to increase in good deeds, to bring nachas ruach to her neshama in the Olam HaElyon."
Then, regarding the
spiritual dangers of America, he warns:
"And especially, you must strengthen yourself with courage in the land in which you reside—to ensure that you do not become gashmiyusdik."
The letter
concludes with a heartfelt bracha:
"And you shall succeed in all that you do—so that you may return home whole in both neshama and guf, and you will no longer have to wander from your home."
It is signed:
"And I remain, your uncle who seeks your wellbeing—Shaul Brach of Nitra, ya”a."
The Gaon HaKadosh, Rav Shaul Brach of Kashau, zt”l
The Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Shaul Brach, zt”l, was a talmid of the
Gaon HaKadosh, the Maharam Schick, zt”l, and the
Baal Kedushas Yom Tov, zt”l. His name was
revered throughout Klal Yisroel as a leader among rabbanim, a
pillar of Torah and halacha, and a fearless warrior for
kvod Shamayim. He established
Torah and Yiddishkeit with strength and mesiras nefesh, raising countless talmidim and
authoring many seforim.
