Bidspirit auction | The Battle Against the Rabbinical

The Battle Against the Rabbinical Seminary – Rabbi Aharon Dovid Deutsch of Yarmut Urges the Maharam Schick to Rally the Gedolim – 1878 Urgent letter from Rabbi Aharon Dovid Deutsch , author of Goren Dovid and Rav of Yarmut , to his close friend Rabbi Moshe Schick (Maharam Schick), outlining a strategy to prevent the establishment of the proposed Rabbinical Seminary in Galicia. Written in 1878 . The letter was later published in Otzros HaSofer , vol. 18, p. 27. A Call to Unite the Gedolim Rabbi Aharon Dovid writes that while in Vienna he had already spoken with Rabbi Shimon Sofer , author of Michtav Sofer and Rav of Krakow, regarding the plans of the enemies of Torah to establish a Rabbinical Seminary in Galicia. He urges that the leading rabbanim of Galicia—both Chassidic and Ashkenazic—be gathered to issue a united prohibition against the Seminary and its graduates, whom he describes as ”a corrupt source in the midst of Klal Yisroel, leading Hashem's people astray and destroying the vineyard of Hashem.” He stresses that immediate action must be taken before the government grants its approval, warning that afterward many rabbanim would come under pressure from the influential maskilim and communal leaders in their cities and would hesitate to join the campaign. He further insists that only the foremost gedolim, who fully appreciate the magnitude of the danger, should be invited to sign. Rabbi Aharon Dovid therefore implores the Maharam Schick to personally approach Rabbi Shimon Sofer and inspire him to stand at the forefront of the battle, emphasizing that the responsibility for safeguarding the Torah rests upon the shoulders of the Gedolei Yisroel. His appeal bore fruit. Shortly afterward, Rabbi Shimon Sofer issued his famous public letter to the rabbanim of the various kehillos (printed in the introduction to Michtav Sofer ), in which he declared that the proposed Seminary represented a decree more severe than any previous persecution , for it sought to lead thousands of Jews away from Torah willingly and without coercion. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • An Early Chapter in the Niredhaz (Nyíregyháza) Kashrus Dispute The letter also sheds light on the developing kashrus dispute in Niredhaz (Nyíregyháza) . Rabbi Aharon Dovid forwards a letter from his former talmid Rabbi Yeshayah Silber , later renowned as Rabbi Yeshayah of Hodos, warmly testifying that in his youth he was ”a G-d-fearing, modest, and outstanding bochur.” He recommends that his credentials be confirmed by Rabbi Shmuel of Kamada, after which the Rav of Niredhaz should be firmly—but tactfully—rebuked. He further advises the Orthodox community to appoint its own dayan—or, better yet, establish an independent rabbinate. In time, these efforts proved successful, and the renowned Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Friedman was appointed Rav of Niredhaz , where he served the community for many years. Rabbi Aharon Dovid Deutsch (1813–1878), author of Goren Dovid , was one of the foremost rabbanim of Hungary and among the great champions of Orthodox Judaism. A beloved talmid of the Chasam Sofer , his rebbi remarked of him, ”When I daven, I rely upon the zechuyos of Rabbi Aharon Dovid.” His exceptional holiness was widely renowned; the Divrei Chaim of Sanz would tell visitors from his region, ”Why have you come to me? You have the gaon and tzaddik of Yarmut in your own midst.” He stood at the forefront of the battle against the Rabbinical Seminary and, together with the Gedolei HaDor, helped found the Shomrei HaDas Orthodox organization, whose efforts played a decisive role in preserving Torah and Yiddishkeit for generations of Hungarian Jewry.