Picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. Photograph which is traditionally believed to have been taken after his death (!). [1866].
Specifications: 19×13 cm. Stuck onto an original decorative piece of cardboard. The stamp of the photographer who lived and worked in the city of Arad is on the back of the picture. Auerback Miksa.
Unique Features: Before us is the only picture of Rabbi Yehuda Assad. It is well known that throughout his life Rabbi Yehuda Assad refused to be photographed, for reasons he kept to himself. After his death, his students dressed him in Shabbat clothing, sat him up on his chair and photographed him. His grandson who was his namesake, Rabbi Yehuda Goldstein, writes in the booklet ‘Toldot Mahari”a’ (page 41), which he placed at the beginning of Divrei Mahari”a , which he published (Sabinov 1931): “There had never been a picture of my grandfather the gaon, the author, z”l, as he never allowed himself ‘photography.’ However, many of his students wanted his picture as a memory, such that some of his students reached a decision, after the passing of their rabbi, and dressed him in Shabbat clothing and sat him up on his chair and thus drew his holy image, which is found in the homes of some of our Jewish brethren. However, anyone with a part in this was greatly harmed, and in very little time after this, passed away and was punished for disturbing his holy body after his passing to carry it for such a purpose.”
There was an extensive halachic polemic discussing whether this is permitted or not [material is enclosed].
Background: Rabbi Yehuda Assad – Mahari”a Assad, was rabbi of Szerdahely and one of the most prominent Hungarian rabbis. He was born in 1797 in the village of Aszód adjacent to Budapest. He studied in the yeshiva of Rabbi Mordechai Bennet, who soon appointed him to teach classes. When the Chatam Sofer met him he was very impressed by him, and even took action for him to be accepted as rabbi of Szerdahely. He established a yeshiva there which was attended by 150 young men. He was one of the most important rabbis and spiritual leaders of Hungarian Jewry, and was also known for his battle against Reform. He died in 1866, and was the author of Shu”t Yehuda Ya’aleh , Chiddushei Mahari”a and more.
Condition: Fine. Slight tear on the cardboard.