Handwritten Response from Rabbi Shlomo Eiger, Av Beis Din of Pozna
"IT IS FORBIDDEN ACCORDING TO HALACHA AND THE GEMARA TO CHANGE CUSTOMS"
A handwritten halachic response by Rabbi Shlomo Eiger, Av Beis Din of Pozna regarding changes that had been made by a chevra kadisha (burial society) when dealing with the deceased.
Deviating from age old customs, the chevra kadisha had begun shaving the hair and cutting the nails of the dead.
In response, Rabbi Shlomo Eiger wrote that deviating from the old custom is forbidden, and advised the members of the chevra kadisha to request forgiveness by the graves of those people who had been dealt with incorrectly.
Rabbi Shlomo Eiger (1785 – 1852) was the son of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Av Beis Din of Pozna. He was described by his nephew the Ksav Sofer as a great genius who was renowned in his Torah greatness, and a successful philanthropist who succeeded in everything he laid his hands on. The Ksav Sofer said that while he was alive, it was as though Rabbi Akiva Eiger himself was still among the living, but that once Rabbi Shmuel passed on, it was as though they lost both on the same day.
[3] Pages | 17 x 21 cm | Excellent condition
