Bidspirit auction | Handwritten Manuscript by the Illustrious

Handwritten Manuscript by the Illustrious Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger, Av Beit Din of Kleinwardein, [Step-Son-in-Law of the Chasam Sofer] – Eulogy for the Ksav Sofer - ”Peace and all the best to my dear friend, my step-son-in-law, the esteemed, distinguished, diligent, and famous sage, a garden of myrtles, the exalted Rabbi Yitzchak, may he live, Av Beit Din of the holy community of Preshburg...” (Shu”t Chasam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat, Siman 43). A long, handwritten manuscript spanning three pages, containing a eulogy for the Ksav Sofer, penned in the sacred handwriting of the renowned Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger, author of Pnei Yitzchak, and esteemed rabbi of Kleinwardein. He was one of the great disciples of the Chasam Sofer [numerous responsa in Shu”t Chasam Sofer are addressed to him] and, after the passing of the Chasam Sofer, he became a close associate of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz [to whom he addressed the famous responsum in Shu”t Divrei Chaim concerning changes in the text of prayers]. Kleinwardein, [1872]. Excerpt from the manuscript: ”... And now, with the passing of the righteous sage, the Av Beit Din of Preshburg, of blessed memory, who had not yet reached old age and was a great scholar who taught Torah for over thirty years, and was well-known with no need for proof, having established many students – it is said that over two hundred of his disciples became halachic authorities in Israel. The grief is immeasurable for the entire country, especially for Torah scholars and particularly for the rabbis, for he was the crown of scholars and the ornament of rabbis, and we lament upon him: 'The crown of our head has fallen, woe unto us for we have sinned'...” Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger was one of the Chasam Sofer’s closest disciples and was supported by him for many years. He knew the Ksav Sofer personally, and the Ksav Sofer’s son’s wedding was held in Kleinwardein, where Rabbi Weinberger officiated as the mesader kiddushin (wedding officiant). Details: [3] pages, 21 cm. The eulogy was later printed in his book Mallel L’Avraham. Condition: Good. Some aging stains, fold marks, and old reinforcements at the edges. About Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger, Author of Pnei Yitzchak Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger [1805-1885] was one of the greatest rabbis in Hungary, known for his profound scholarship and exceptional righteousness. He served as Av Beit Din of Kleinwardein for over forty years and corresponded with the greatest sages of his time, including the Chasam Sofer, the Ksav Sofer, the Divrei Chaim, Maharam Ash, and Maharshek. His halachic responsa appear in Shu”t Chasam Sofer and Shu”t Divrei Chaim. He was a step-son-in-law of the Chasam Sofer, as he had married the daughter of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Heller (author of Tiv Gittin). After Rabbi Heller’s passing, the Chasam Sofer married his widow, bringing Rabbi Weinberger and his wife into his home, where they remained for many years. The Chasam Sofer supported him financially and referred to him as ”my step-son-in-law” (Shu”t Chasam Sofer, Choshen Mishpat, Siman 43). After the passing of the Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Weinberger became one of the most prominent rabbis of Hungary, particularly as a supporter of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, advocating for his halachic rulings. The famous responsum regarding changes in prayer texts (Shu”t Divrei Chaim, Orach Chaim, Siman 8) is addressed to Rabbi Weinberger. His yeshiva in Kleinwardein produced many prominent scholars, including Rabbi Meshulam Feish of Tosh. In the Avodas Avodah book, it is written: ”His first teacher was the holy Gaon Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger of Kleinwardein, a profound genius and saintly scholar who was attached to the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov, especially the holy Rabbi Hirsh of Rimanov, who said that Rabbi Weinberger was a 'flaming fire'...” Rabbi Weinberger was also known for his mystical inclinations. The Hisorerus Teshuva (printed in Zichron L’Moshe) recounts: ”Once, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Weinberger visited the Chasam Sofer and asked whether, given the times, it would be appropriate to use the power of holy names to create a golem or perform miracles to strengthen faith. The Chasam Sofer replied: 'Believe me, I could create a golem with little effort, as easily as drinking a cup of water – vie a trink wasser – but I refrain because, as stated in the Talmud Yerushalmi, one who benefits from others is forbidden from using divine names in this way...' ” Sources: Shu”t Chasam Sofer, Shu”t Divrei Chaim, Rishumim B'Shmecha, Zichron L’Moshe, Zichron L’Kehillat Kleinwardein, Avodas Avodah, Rabbeinu Hakadosh M'Sanz.