RABBI AKIVA YOSEF SCHLESINGER AUTHOR OF LEV HA’IVRI – POLEMIC LETTER ADDRESSED TO RABBI YOSEF LEIB SOFER ...

RABBI AKIVA YOSEF SCHLESINGER AUTHOR OF LEV HA’IVRI – POLEMIC LETTER ADDRESSED TO RABBI YOSEF LEIB SOFER OF PAKS, AUTHOR OF YALKUT SOFER. HANDWRITTEN SIGNED LETTER.

Background:

Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger arrived in Jerusalem in 1870, but soon became involved in controversy with the leaders of the Hungarian Kollel Shomrei Hachomos and others over controversial halachic views expressed in his Beis Yosef Chadash, and a cherem was declared against him. He defends his position in Shimru Mishpat, and criticises the Kollel leadership for what he considered to be unfair practices, which he sets out in this letter to Rabbi Yosef Leib Sofer, who served as one of the Nesi’im of the Kollel. The letter begins and ends with the writer’s apology in case he has in anyway been disrespectful. Signed: ‘Ha’ivri’.

Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger (1837-1922), studied under the Ksav Sofer, Maharam Schick and Rabbi Chaim Sofer – Machneh Chaim. Son-in-law of Rabbi Hillel Lichtenstein of Kolomea. Settled in Jerusalem in 1870 and actively promoted Yishuv Eretz Yisrael including the establishment of orthodox Jewish settlements, while strongly against secular education and other changes to tradition. Author of Lev Ha’ivri and other works.

Rabbi Yosef Leib Sofer (1861-1918), son of Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer of Paks. Student of Rabbi Moshe Pollack of Bonyhad and of the Shevet sofer. Rabbi of Derecska (1885) and Paks (1903). Author of Likutei Sofer (2 vols.) and Yalkut Sofer (5 vols.).

Postcard. Very good condition.