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Halachic Ruling and Hashkafa from the Maharam Shick to his Son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Prager Chust, 1877 * With an Unknown Ruling about a Get (bill of divorce) from America! A long letter with the holy signature of the Mahara”m Shick - Rabbi Moshe Schick, a leading disciple of the Chasam Sofer, which he sent to his son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Prager, Rav of Ada, and his daughter Breindel. The Maharam Schick signed the letter in his holy handwriting: ”The katan Moshe Schick of Brezova” The main part of the letter revolves around his son-in-law's question about the Rosh Chodesh Mussaf prayer text: Why, in a leap year, do we add the words u’lechaparas pesha (ולכפרת פשע) only until Nissan, and not throughout the rest of the year? To this, the Maharam responds with a lengthy halachic answer interwoven with foundations of faith, stating among his words that this is connected to the Shovavim rectification according to the holy Shla”h regarding the rectification of the known sin, and concludes: “All the customs of our forefathers have meaning, though we may not fully grasp their reasoning. Therefore, no custom should be altered.” At the end of the letter there is an important ruling that has never been published, about a Get (bill of divorce) that came from America! In this section, the Maharam deals with the question of the correct spelling of the the name 'Yeshaya' (ישעיה), with or without a vav at the end (Yeshayahu-ישעיהו), and he brings the opinion of his Rav ”Our master the Gaon author of Chasam Sofer z”l” , in the responsa, section 'Even HaEzer'. The Maharam also answers: ”And what you wrote about what our master the Gaon [the Chasam Sofer] was stringent regarding a Get from America - I haven't found it, and I don't have writings from our master z”l...” At the beginning of the letter are blessings to his son-in-law and daughter, which were also never published: ”I received your letter and was happy to hear of your wellbeing. May Hashem continue to bless you and your entire household... I conclude with the threefold blessing, the words of your father-in-law and father who seeks your welfare.” Letters from the Maharam Shick are very rare! Chust, 1877. Page Count: [4] pages in a scribe's writing. On the first page is the Maharam Shick's holy signature. Size: 17 x 21 cm. Condition: Tears at the margins, remnants of old adhesions (also slightly on the signature). Stains. Two lines at the beginning of the letter and 16 lines at its end were never published. Most of it was printed with slight variations (apparently from a copy and not from this original before us) in 'Shu”t Maharam Shick Orach Chaim' section 184. Rabbi Moshe Schick (1807-1879), known as Maharam Schick, was a leading disciple of the Chasam Sofer who perpetuated his legacy in Hungary. He taught many great disciples and the contemporary Rabbanim all accepted his halachic rulings. Maharam Schick was appointed to the rabbinate in Yargen in the year 1838, upon the recommendation of the Chasam Sofer who would occasionally vacation in Yargen and listen to his student teach Torah. The Chasam Sofer extolled him with praises, and his students likewise attested that his humility rivaled that of Rabbi Akiva Eiger. His son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Prager, Rav of Ada (1843-1918), was a distinguished student of the Maharam Schick, and in 1867 married his daughter. He was supported at his father-in-law's table for six years. The Maharam Shick would sometimes consult with him about halachic questions sent to him and even instructed him to write several responses to halachic inquiries. Among his printed works are 'Sheilas Yaakov', two volumes. Vol. 1 Sec. 19 features the question to the Maharam Schick, to which the Maharam Shick responded with the present response.