Unpublished Chiddushei Torah in the Handwriting of Rabbi Akiva Sofer, author of ‘Daas Sofer’
Pressburg, 1906
An early three-page letter of Chiddushei Torah, written entirely in the holy handwriting of the esteemed Gaon Rabbi Akiva Sofer, written just two months before his appointment as Av Beis Din and Rosh Yeshiva of the illustrious Pressburg Yeshiva. Includes his signature.
The letter contains a lengthy discourse on the laws of "an oath not to eat", and discusses the words of his grandfather, the Ksav Sofer and the words of his father-in-law and uncle, the saintly Rabbi Yitzchak Leib Sofer, Av Beis Din of Paks, author of ‘Sofer Mahir’.
To the best of our knowledge, this important letter has never been published!
At the beginning of the letter, Rabbi Sofer warmly blesses the recipient on the occasion of his marriage: "…May Hashem merit you to build a faithful house to Hashem and His Torah, Torah and greatness in one place; may you ascend to the heights of success in happiness and wealth, Amen, so may it be His will!"
He continues with another blessing: "… May Hashem hear your prayers on the upcoming holy fast day, may He fulfill the desires of your heart for good, may He grant you success in all your ways and deeds, to the joy of your loved ones, your parents and your teachers, Amen, so may it be His will".
Rabbi Akiva Sofer (1878-1959), also known as the Daas Sofer, served as Av Beis Din of Pressburg, perpetuating the golden chain of his ancestors the Chasam Sofer, Ksav Sofer and Shevet Sofer as Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivah in Pressburg.
Already as an adolescent, he began delivering shiurim in the Pressburg Yeshivah, and in 1907, succeeded his father as Rav of the city. In 1940, he journeyed to Eretz Yisrael where he rebuilt his yeshivah in Yerushalayim. His written works include ‘Shu”t Daas Sofer’ on Shulchan Aruch and ‘Daas Sofer’ on Torah and Festivals.
Approximately two months after penning this letter, Rabbi Akiva assumed his father’s distinguished position, after his father’s passing in Kislev that year. Here in his signature, Rabbi Akiva still refers to his father with the blessing used for the living.
Pressburg, Tishrei 1906.
Three pages in the handwriting and signature of the ‘Daas Sofer’.
Size: 14.5 x 22.5 cm.
Condition: Good
