“I discovered this in the writings of the chassid Harav Shimshon of Ostropoli zt”l…”
Sacred Manuscript of the Chasam Sofer zy”a
Handwritten novellae on the Torah portions Va’era and Bo regarding the verses discussing the Ten Plagues and Exodus from Egypt by the Chasam Sofer Harav Moshe Sofer, Av Beis Din of Pressburg zy”a.
In this manuscript, the Chasam Sofer illuminates an awe-inspiring lesson inscribed by Harav Shimshon of Ostropoli in his Iggeres Hakodesh which is a segulah to recite on Erev Pesach.
This leaf, featuring double columns,
originates from the famed ‘Mattersdorf Manuscript’ which was written between 1802-1803 when the Chasam Sofer served as Rav in Mattersdorf.
The tear visible on the bottom of the page occurred before the Chasam Sofer inscribed these novellae, as evident from the fact that the Chasam Sofer inscribed his text around the tear.
Complete handwritten, double-sided leaf with 4 columns. Total of 6 complete paragraphs and another long paragraph that is nearly complete.
Mattersdorf, 1802. Page size: 24×19 cm.
Chasam Sofer’s Commentary on the Torah is Holy of Holies
“Had the Chasam Sofer zy”a left the Toras Moshe al HaTorah as his sole legacy to our nation, it would have been sufficient to manifest his greatness, for all his compositions are holy, yet sefer Toras Moshe is holy of holies.” (Hagaon Harav Meir Arik in Preface to Chassan Sofer).
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Iggeres Hakodesh by Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli Hy”d
The Segulah
There is a famous Segulah to recite the Iggeres Hakodesh by the saintly kabbalist Harav Shimshon of Ostropoli Hy”d on Erev Pesach. The letter describes a revelation he glimpsed in a dream regarding the simanim of the Ten Plagues and acronyms ‘Detzach, Adash, B’achav.’
This sacred letter was printed in countless Haggados with the brief introduction: “This Letter is a great and wondrous secret, and…one who peruses this marvelous secret in depth even once a year and specifically on Erev Pesach is promised that he shall be spared any stumbling block, bizarre death or sin, his enemies shall not overcome him, and his enemies shall fall before him, and he shall succeed in all his endeavors…”
The Erlauer Rebbe zt”l recounted that his grandfather the Hisorrirus Teshuvah (a grandson of the Chasam Sofer) would recite this Iggeres every Erev Pesach after chatzos until Erev Pesach 1944 when the Nazis conquered Hungary and he was too occupied that day to recite it. Tragically, the fate of Hungarian Jewry was sealed that year. However six months later, on Rosh Hashanah 5775, the Rebbe recalled that he had not an opportunity to recite Rav Shimshon’s Iggeres Hakodesh on the previous Pesach, recited it and miraculously survived the inferno. (Haggadas Chasam Sofer, Chasam Sofer Institute Edition p. 25)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The Segulah of the Chasam Sofer’s Handwriting
The Chasam Sofer’s descendants affirm that any handwritten legacy of their revered ancestor is auspicious for protection from any trial or tribulation. Whenever his son Harav Shimon Sofer, Av Beis Din of Cracow, faced the Austrian Parliament, he would take his father’s writings with him.
Maharam Banet likewise expressed that a mere glance at the sacred writing of the Chasam Sofer is a segulah for fear of heaven. It is told that Maharam Banet once received a written responsa from the Chasam Sofer and devoted extra time to reading and analyzing it. When his students asked if the letter perplexed him, he replied, “No, but I am delving into this responsa, as the mere sight of his sacred handwriting increases
fear of heaven.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Any inquiries about this lot?
