Rare collection containing lengthy letters full of abundant historic content handwritten (three of the four with his signature) by the mighty gaon Rabbi Naftali Sofer, rabbi of Pechy Neudorf, of the renowned Paks dynasty of Sofrim. He was among the most beloved disciples of the Chatam Sofer, who performed his brit milah and later wrote a letter of recommendation for him full of praise. These letters were sent to the gedolei v’tzaddikei hador in Hungary and the Land of Israel – Rabbi Hillel of Kolomyya, Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger and Rabbi Ya’akov Shaul Elyashar. [1869-1897]
* Letter to the gaon Rabbi Hillel Lichtenstein of Kolomyya, author of Maskil el Dal . Elul, 1869.
At the beginning of the letter, Rabbi Naftali notes his surprise that the addressee did not send an approbation for his sefer ( Bnei Naftali , Pressburg, 1869), in which derashot he “delivered against destroyers of our sacred Torah …” are printed.
In the body of the letter, Rabbi Naftali informs him that “My brother, the gaon, told me that on this coming Wednesday, 11 Elul, there will be a trial for the tzaddikim who carry our Hashem’s will in Munkacs, including my brother, the gaon (Rabbi Chaim Sofer, author of Machaneh Chayim ). I am praying for Hashem to have mercy on him so that the matter does not end badly for them. I need not expand on this, because I am confident in his innocence, that he will do what he can.”
The letter concludes with warm blessings for the new year.
After the end of the letter, he sends regards to the addressee’s son-in-law, Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, and the addressee’s son, Rabbi Benedict. The writer also notes that a short time ago he had been with the Ktav Sofer in Pressburg, “And I saw that his heart was distressed – may Hashem help him. I think that it is a mitzvah to pray for him and be concerned about several matters – may Hashem help him and the entire Jewish people.”
[1] leaf paper, written on both sides. 28×23.5 cm.
Poor-moderate condition. Ink smudges and tears with lack.
* Letter to Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, author of Lev HaIvri . 15 Kislev, 1891.
Rabbi Naftali opens the letter by relating that he followed Rabbi Akiva Yosef’s advice and remarried on the 15th of Av, 1891. He revealed to his new wife that he wants to ascend to the Land of Israel. As his first wife passed away childless, Rabbi Naftali writes that he hopes to have a family with his new wife (and he indeed had a son and a daughter, as can be observed from the following letters – this was when he was over seventy years old!).
In the body of the letter, he recalls that he accepted upon himself to print a book in memory of his first wife, and this book will also include eulogies for the addressee’s father-in-law, Rabbi Hillel of Kolomyya, and some insights from the Chatam Sofer, as well as some of his own, that he wrote when he was only 15 years old.
At the end of the letter he notes that he was in Pressburg, visiting the addressee’s father (Rabbi Yechiel Schlesinger).
[1] leaf paper, written on one side (the other side contains the addressee’s details). 21×17 cm.
Moderate condition. Fold marks with tears and coarse adhesions.
* Letter to Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, author of Lev HaIvri . 6 Adar I 1897.
Rabbi Naftali opens by reporting his poor state of health and thanks Hashem for his son and his daughter, born to him in his old age.
He then states that “The burial is scheduled that day for the gaon and tzaddik, the av beit din of Chita (the gaon Rabbi Shraga Tzvi Tennenbaum, author of Neta Sorek ) who passed away on Sunday.”
In the body of the letter, he requests that Rabbi Akiva Yosef pass his letter along to the Rishon LeTziyon, with the goal of convincing him not to work to unite the Chareidim in Hungary and the “new sect.” He writes that “If they are united, Heaven forbid, our Torah will be forgotten …”
The letter to the Rishon LeTziyon also appears in this lot.
[1] leaf paper, with the writing completely filling both sides. 21×17 cm.
Moderate-fine condition.
* Letter (lacking the end) to the Rishon LeTziyon Rabbi Ya’akov Shaul Elyashar, author of Yisah Brachah [6] Adar I 1897.
The letter discusses the Rishon LeTziyon’s attempt to unite the Chareidim in Hungary and the new sect (as they are referred to in the previous letter). The letter lacks its conclusion and the message Rabbi Naftali attempts to convey is not accessible, only his explanation to the addressee that his intent is for the sake of Heaven, “and [your] honor can look into this, that I truly studied under the Chatam Sofer, and I have published several of the Mateh Naftali sefarim …”
This letter has two (identical) rare signatures by Rabbi Naftali (that do not appear in the previous three letters).
[1] leaf paper, written on one side. 20×19.5 cm Lacking the bottom part of the letter with its conclusion.
Poor-moderate condition. Tears with lack, wear and adhesions.
Most of the letters demonstrate his exceptional zealotry for all that is sacred. The letters were printed in the Alei Zikaron anthology (Bnei Brak, 2016), pp 15-36 (attached).
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the gaon Rabbi Naftali Sofer , the sacred gaon Rabbi Hillel Lichtenstein , the gaon and Kabbalist Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger and the Rishon LeTziyon Rabbi Ya’akov Shaul Elyashar .