Handwritten Chiddushim by
the Ksav Sofer
Pressburg, 1862
Handwritten chiddushim on two sugyos in Maseches Moed Kattan by Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer, Av Beis Din and Rosh Mesivta of Pressburg and author of Ksav Sofer.
To the best of Genazym’s knowledge, these chiddushim have never been printed.
The Ksav Sofer writes an inscription on the title page. These chiddushim were delivered orally at a gathering of the Chevra Kaddisha in Pressburg on 7 Adar.
The Ksav Sofer was his father’s closest disciple and adhered strictly to his path of Torah. The present composition mentions his father
“And my father, my master, luminary of the Diaspora, zt”l said…”
The Ksav Sofer Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer
(1815-1873) was the author of Ksav Sofer and succeeded his father the Chasam Sofer as Av Beis Din of Pressburg. He “filled his father’s place completely, and did not deviate one iota from his ways… His glow enveloped him the whole day, and his ruach hakodesh lived on within him. The Hand of Hashem was known in all his deeds, for Moshe placed his hands upon him”, and all his character traits were our father’s elevated character traits – his Torah, his righteousness, his modesty and his leadership” (Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Av Beis Din of Cracow, in his introduction to Shu”t Ksav Sofer).
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During the final days of the Chasam Sofer’s life, he placed his hands upon the head of his son the Ksav Sofer and blessed him upon his appointment to the rabbinate of Pressburg. He said: “Your grandfather Rabbi Akiva (Eiger) on your right, your grandfather Rabbi Shmuel Schotten Katz on your left; an angel is on your head; and also I shall follow you and fulfill your words.” The Ksav Sofer later expressed that the Chasam Sofer’s hands upon his head felt like a blazing fire.
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Thus, at the young age of 24, the Ksav Sofer succeeded his father, the venerable Chasam Sofer, as Rav, Av Beis Din and Rosh Yeshivah of Pressburg. For the next 33 years, the Pressburg Yeshivah thrived, expanded and flourished under his talented leadership, cultivating generations of Rabbanim who disseminated Torah wisdom and fear of heaven throughout Hungary. Most Hungarian Rabbanim were either direct disciples of the Ksav Sofer or followers of his sacred legacy.
Pressburg, 1862. [1], title page + 2 double-sided leaves (4 sides) written in the Ksav Sofer’s holy hand. Page Size: 21×26 cm. Light green paper. Good condition and well preserved. Ornate new leather binding.
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A Segulah for Healing
The Ksav Sofer’s grandson the Daas Sofer would instruct sick patients to place one of his grandfather’s handwritten manuscripts beneath their pillows as a segulah for health and recovery. (
See attached content.)
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