Unknown Letter from the Chasam Sofer
Preserved & copied by Rabbi Asher Anschel Weiss
Author of Shemen Laminchah
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Two letters from the Chasam Sofer written to Rabbi Daniel of Prositz, Raavad of Pressburg. The first letter contains fascinating content and is revealed now for the first time!
The original letters of the Chasam Sofer were in the possession of the tzaddik Rabbi Asher Anschel Weiss, author of Shemen Laminchah, who personally rewrote them into the present letters.
The top of the page features a title by Rabbi Asher Anschel:
“Replica of the letters held in my possession, inscribed by the sacred hand of the gaon the Chasam Sofer zy”a”.
1. The first letter regards a dispute that took place in 1804 in Eisenstadt. When the wife of a community dignitary acted disrespectfully toward the leaders of the Eisenstadt community. The leaders then recorded the episode in the community’s ledgers, bringing shame to the woman and her family. However, the husband deviously tore the page out of the ledger, and when his action was revealed, it spurred a furious dispute. The Chasam Sofer was among those chosen to arbitrate the case.
The Rabbanim ruled in his favor, being that it was wrong to record the episode in the community ledgers, especially after the woman expressed her regret and paid a penalty fee.
The verdict was published in Kovetz Teshuvos Chasam Sofer Ch, 92 (Jerusalem, 1973) (photograph attached).
Although the verdict was delivered the dispute continued, and the parties approached Rabbi Daniel of Prositz who in turn, appealed to the Chasam Sofer.
The Chasam Sofer was reluctant to get involved and expressed “I despise getting involved in such matters” and adds that it causes him “distress and heartache” However, in order to avoid a potential chillul Hashem and to fulfill the obligation of “And you shall be clean in the eyes Hashem and Yisrael”, the Chasam Sofer agreed to respond to Rabbi Daniel.
However, he strongly instructed, “
I command you not to remove this letter from your possession under any circumstances, ever.”
This letter is a compelling lesson in Torah leadership and spiritual guidance as the Chassam sofer displays an uncompromising commitment to the letter of Halacha on one hand and compassion and nobility on the other.
This letter was never printed, and it is the first time that it is being revealed!
2. Letter written in 1807 regarding accepting the Rabbinate in Pressburg. This letter was printed in Igros Sofrim Letter 8.
Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss Hy”d (1882-1904), Av Beis Din of Nagyfalu, was a disciple of the Shevet Sofer and Arugas Habosem and one of the great Torah luminaries and Poskim in Transylvania, who disseminated the teachings of his masters to thousands. He was renowned for his expertise regarding gittin and agunos, along with his incredible breadth of knowledge of the works of the Rishonim and Achronim.
He taught Torah for many years in Ihel before accepting the position of Rav in Nagyfalu. Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss was murdered al kiddush Hashem by the Nazis, yet his legacy remains in the collections of letters printed as the 3-volume Shemen Laminchah al HaTorah V’sugyos Shas.
[1] leaf. Page size: 33×21. Double-sided, written on Rabbi Asher Anschel’s personal stationery. Small tear on bottom line of front page with several words missing.
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