To The Editor:
Thank you for publishing the hesped on the Brisker Rav
in your 28 Tishrei 5760 issue. You rightly observe that the
hesped reflects on the greatness of the maspid
no
less than on the niftar. The attraction, and for some
the fascination, of Lithuanian Orthodoxy with (arguably) its
first family, continues unabated.
I believe that the article was enhanced by the inclusion of a
number of photographs of the Brisker Rav and that,
parenthetically, a concerted effort should be made to collate
the private holdings of prewar photographs and other
memorabilia into communal archives where the glory of
European Orthodoxy can be viewed by future generations.
The picture of the Brisker Rov with Rav Menachem Ziemba
actually appeared two years ago in a book on the Mashgiach of
Kamenets HaRav Moshe Aharon Stern zt"l, written by his
son, Rav Yechiel Mechel Stern. It is interesting to note that
in that book the caption under the photograph identifies the
person on Rav Ziemba's left as Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik,
who was the oldest son of the Brisker Rov's oldest brother,
Rav Moshe. Despite some doctrinal differences between the
Brisker Rav and Rav Yoshe Bar, uncle and nephew enjoyed a
very close and lifelong relationship, based on high mutual
regard and familial ties and which may have been enhanced by
the small age gap (17 years) between them.
If the Brisker Rav was not embarrassed to stroll the streets
of Marienbad with his nephew in the company of Rav Ziemba,
the Yated Ne'eman ought feel no embarrassment in
identifying Rav Yoshe Ber in the photograph.
I would be obliged if you would publish my letter at your
earliest convenience. If for some reason you are able to
publish it, I would still be interested to hear from you.
David Havin
The Editor Replies:
There is an archive the preserves the photographic records
of Orthodox Jewry of all times. It is called Ginzach Kiddush
Hashem, and is located in Bnei Brak. They are very often
mentioned in our photo credits as they have an excellent
collection. They are noted in that issue as our source for
the photograph in question.
We were not aware of the identity of the third person in
the photograph. Many things are often attributed to us,
especially for things that we leave out, such as this case.
In most cases, the attributions are as off the mark as this
one.
We would not have hestitated to identify the third person
in the picture had we known who he was, even if our
correspondent's mistaken identification were correct. In
fact, the name of the third person is Rav Yoshe Ber
Soloveitchik as he writes, but he is the Brisker Rov's son,
not his nephew of the same name.
