An Extraordinary Torah Exchange: Rav Dov Landau and the Sanz Rebbe in a Scholarly Debate
A fascinating halachic dialogue has captured the attention of the Torah world over recent days, as Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, and the Sanzer Rebbe, have engaged in a rare and remarkable written exchange of Torah ideas.
The debate began during Chol Hamoed Sukkos, when Rav Dov Landau hosted a major Torah gathering in his sukkah on Rechov Harav Sher in Bnei Brak. Present were leading roshei yeshiva, dayanim, and rabbanim, who joined the Rosh Yeshiva in animated discussion and deep halachic analysis for more than an hour and a half. The event, broadcast live, drew throngs of bnei Torah of all ages who surrounded his sukkah to witness the electrifying ahavas haTorah and hear the Rosh Yeshiva’s insights.
During the gathering, Rav Landau posed several sharp questions and halachic difficulties, raised in the midst of passionate rischa d’oraysa, as he interwove fascinating stories from the yeshiva world of Poland and Lithuania.
Shortly after, in response to one of the questions raised, the Sanzer Rebbe published a thoughtful letter in the weekly Torah publication Ohaley Moed. The Rebbe delved directly into one of Rav Landau’s points, articulating his own well-reasoned halachic position. The fact that a leading Chassidic Rebbe formally published a scholarly response to a Litvishe Rosh Yeshiva’s query sparked enormous interest across the Torah world, reflecting the deep mutual respect shared between these two Torah giants.
This week, Parshas Vayeira, Ohaley Moed has published Rav Dov Landau’s full written response to the Rebbe’s letter, bringing the fascinating halachic dialogue to its current peak.
In a striking conclusion, Rav Landau ended his reply with a line expressing both humility and admiration: “Kach mistabra k’mo shekasav rum maalaso shlita — It appears to be as written by his exalted honor, shlita.”
Beyond its intellectual depth, the correspondence serves as a model of Torah unity—two towering gedolim, representing distinct traditions, engaging in a search for emes with reverence and grace.
{Matzav.com}
