Two halachic responsa from Aharon Choriner of Arad [Romania], regarding the gluing of pieces of leather to form the tefillin for the head, an episode that stirred up Eastern and Central European Jewry of the time. One responsa in his handwriting and with his signature.
* A reasoned halachic responsa regarding making tefillin shel rosh from four pieces of leather glued together from Aharon Choriner, rabbi of Arad. All in his handwriting and with his signature. C. 1795.
[4] pages, 19.5×25 cm.
The responsa was written to Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot from Brad, the famous genius and one of the greatest halachic rulers and responders of his generation. In his book of responsa
Beit Ephraim (
Orach Chaim 1) he writes about it: “And the content of the very interesting question a tremendous wise man sent from the State of Hagar sent to me… Aharon Choriner, the
av”d of Altarad and his response has the response of a wise man on its side, and he requested from me to express my opinion on this.” Later, the Chatam Sofer criticized Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot for the honorable descriptions that he used for Aharon Choriner (see below).
At the top of the page is written “Copy” on what was sent to his friend Rabbi Yaakov,
av”d of Mako. Enclosed is an expert opinion that this responsa is in Aharon Choriner’s handwriting.
*Another responsa on the same topic, tefillin formed from from glued leather pieces, including the opinion of Rabbi Moshe Mintz of Offen on the matter. [Circa. 1795].
[2] pages, 25x19cm.
The responsa and the comment are from Aharon Choriner, but is not signed. Enclosed is an expert opinion that this is a responsa of Aharon Choriner, but that it was written by a different copier.
Aharon Chorin/Choriner (1766-1844) was a student of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of the
Noda B’Yehuda , who ordained him when he was seventeen years old, and at a young age he was appointed as the rabbi of Arad [Romania]. In his youth he already had controversial discussions with older and respected rabbis. One such controversy centered on whether pieces of leather can be glued together to form the tefillin shel rosh, as seen in the letters before us. Afterwards he was at the head of the controversy about the sturgeon fish, which he permitted to eat and others forbade. Years later he was known as one of the first Reform rabbis. The Chatam Sofer led those who opposed him and banned his books, and even referred to him as Ache”r (Aharon Choriner Rabbiner). The the word Ache”r hints to Acher, the nickname of the Talmudic heretic Elisha ben Avuya.
See the responsa of the Chatam Sofer to Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot (
Shu”t Likutim , part 6 responsa 90, in which the Chatam Sofer speaks indignantly about those who in the past gave approbations and in a roundabout way supported Aharon Choriner, and he writes to him: “…and [you] quoted his response at the beginning of [your] book
Beit Ephraim regarding the glued tefillin, and after well-known people gave him a platform, those who are comfortable with lawlessness rely on him…” See another responsa from the Chatam Sofer (
Shu”t Likutim , part 6 Responsa 85).
Aging stains. Tiny restored tears with damage to a small number of words. Fine condition.