Bidspirit auction | MANUSCRIPT LETTER SENT TO THE

MANUSCRIPT LETTER SENT TO THE CHASAM SOFER BY A STUDENT, INCLUDING CRITICISM OF SEFER MACHNEH YISRAEL BY R. BER FRENK OF PRESSBURG. Whilst the identity of the writer of this letter and its date are both unknown, it is clearly written by a close disciple of the Chasam Sofer, as evident from its content. The letter contains a request for a reply to a halachic question sent previously and continues with criticism of Sefer Machaneh Yisrael, written by R. Ber Frenk, the Shamash of the Pressburg community, published with an approbation of the Chasam Sofer. The writer suggests that the book seems to contain passages that are misleading and apparently had not been seen by the Chasam Sofer. The manuscript concludes with the words, ‘I remain, your servant who bows to you from afar, your servant and student’. Unsigned. The letter has been published in Sefer Sofrei Hamelech. Rabbi Moshe Sofer (1763-1840), born in Frankfurt, where he studied Torah under the great local rabbis, becoming a favoured and outstanding disciple of Rabbi Meshulam Zalman Chasid, Rabbi Nassan Adler, Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz and others. Son-in-law of I. Rabbi Moshe Yerwitz of Prosnitz and II. Rabbi Akiva Eger of Posen. Rosh Yeshiva in Prosnitz, and Rabbi of Dreznitz (1794), Mattersdorf (1799) and Pressburg (1807), heading a large Yeshiva and gradually becoming accepted and revered as the greatest European rabbinic leader of his time, whose teachings have been preserved by his family and his numerous disciples and their descendants. His Torah rulings and teachings continue to guide orthodox Jewish life and his spirit lives on to the present day. Author of voluminous writings in all sectors of Torah, including Tshuvos Chassam Sofer, Chassam Sofer on Shas and Torah, amongst other works. 2 sides. 17 x 20.5 cm. Good condition. Slight damage to second side.