Bidspirit auction | Pi Shnayim – The Chassidic

Pi Shnayim – The Chassidic Controversy in Hungary - Pi Shnayim – The Chassidic Controversy in Hungary. A Rare Polemical Pamphlet Against Rabbi Elazar Löw. [Ungvár], c. 1888. Pi Shnayim, a rare anonymous polemical pamphlet printed upon the appointment of Rabbi Elazar Löw as Chief Rabbi of Ungvár, intended to present his views on the Chassidic movement to the members of the local community. The pamphlet contains two important documents: a letter written by Rabbi Elazar Löw in 1862, sharply criticizing the Chassidic movement and Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska, together with a letter by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska responding to the controversy. Rabbi Elazar Löw's appointment as rabbi of Ungvár sparked a fierce public dispute, with strong opposition arising among the local Chassidic circles. Against this background, the present pamphlet was published in order to publicize the newly appointed rabbi's well-known views regarding Chassidism. Rabbi Elazar Löw (1839–1918), author of Pekudas Elazar and son of Rabbi Yirmiyahu Löw, author of Divrei Yirmiyahu, was one of the foremost Orthodox rabbis of Hungary. He served as rabbi of Ohel from 1874 and was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ungvár in 1888. Throughout both rabbinates he stood at the center of public controversies concerning his relationship with the Chassidic movement. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Friedman of Liska (1808–1874), founder of the Liska Chassidic dynasty, was among the leading Chassidic masters of Hungary. Following the passing of his teacher, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe, Liska became one of the most influential Chassidic courts in the region. Reference: Bema'aglei Chassidim, Jerusalem, 2000, p. 88. 8 pages. 14.5 cm. Condition: Very good.