Large leaf handwritten by a great Talmudic scholar describing the story of his rabbinic approbation by his teacher, the author of Chata”n Sofer . The writer has not been identified, but he is certainly a superlative Talmudic scholar, one of the select disciples of the Chata”n Sofer (who made an exception in his case, granting ordination to an unmarried youth, as described below). Already in his youth, he received rabbinic ordination from the Chata”n Sofer and other prominent rabbis.
The writer discussed the words of the Ram”a on the topic of giving rabbinic approbation, writing “Regarding this topic, I saw fit to transcribe this: Recently, when I was studying in Mattersdorf, it occurred to me to ask the rabbi, the author of Chata”n Sofer , if he would adorn me with rabbinic ordination. He agreed, and it was so. He later told me that he had made a rule by which he would not grant ordination to unmarried youths, as did his uncle, the Ktav Sofer … certainly not before his wedding … but I shall ask a question from my father’s family, a question I read, and he will respond, and together with his response, he will also respond that he will grant me rabbinic ordination … After that, I was asked(?) by the Trino community, as they may wish to appoint me there. They requested three approbations, according to the community’s customs. One I had from Rabbi Feivel Kelin of Sorenu [that is, the gaon Rabbi Chizkiyah Feivel Plaut of Schuran, one of the great disciples of the Chatam Sofer], another from the gaon R’ Elazar, rabbi of Nitra, whom I attended for a lengthy period, and also from the above sacred rabbi. I noted all this in honor of the Ram”a, and I also noted this on the sheet.”
The writer wrote a lengthy marginal note here covering several passages, “I will also mention that I stood before him in a small village near Mattersdorf when my teacher went there to breathe clean air, as was his way, and I said there that he promised me several weeks previously that he would test me… and he responded as follows: That he will not test me because [I am] a scholar and not […?] because [I] toiled over the Torah. Then I said to him that I do not want to receive ordination specifically to rule halachah, and he responded that his ordination includes rabbinic instruction, because this way one learns more Torah.”
After this, the writer noted “And I received [ordination] from my master, my uncle, Rabbi David Friedlander. In his day, rabbinic ordination would not be granted to anyone who had not mastered all four sections of the Shulchan Aruch.” It could be that the R’ David Friedlander mentioned here is a son of the gaon Rabbi Ya’akov Meir Tzvi Friedlander of Schuran. This family is a prominent family of distinguished lineage, and was also connected by marriage to the Chata”n Sofer’s family. Rabbi Ya’akov Meir Tzvi Friedlander’s grandsons, R’ David’s nephews, include the renowned geonim Rabbi Shaul Brach, Rabbi Yosef Adler, av beit din of Turda, and more. For more about this family, refer to the book Shraga L’Yechezkel – Bnei Brak, 2009, pp. 5-13.
[1] large double leaf paper, approximately one and a half written leaves. 40 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Folds and creases. Slight wear to the margins with blemish to text, without lack. Slightly faded ink. Filing perforations.
