A highly important and early letter, entirely in the handwriting of our master, the Gaon Hageonim Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Av Beit Din of Märkisch-Friedland and Posen. The letter is addressed to the leaders and dignitaries of West Prussia and discusses the course of action concerning the royal decree, together with their brethren, the residents of South Prussia.
Apparently, such a long and magnificent letter from Maran Rabbi Akiva Eiger has never before appeared in a public auction!
[Märkisch-Friedland], Tuesday, 26th of Tammuz, 1798.
"Peace … to my esteemed friends, noble leaders, and God-fearing individuals who revere His Name, residents of the region of West Prussia, may God protect them and grant them life.
This moment, I received word from my dear colleague, the esteemed rabbi of the community of Wilhelm, may he live and be well. He requested that I follow him and fulfill his words, which he presented to your honorable assembly in an urgent and lengthy letter, urging you repeatedly not to weaken your resolve and not to turn a blind eye to the matter which you have resolved to carry out for the general welfare. And if, after hearing from truthful informants from the communities of Lissa or Posen about the benevolence shown by our lord, the king, may he be exalted, then surely it would not be appropriate to remain silent in this matter. Rather, you should cry out to the king, may he be exalted, that perhaps God will have mercy upon us and incline the hearts of the king and his ministers toward kindness, and that we should be united as one people together with our brethren, the residents of South Prussia, may they live.
The aforementioned esteemed rabbi also set forth his opinion and good counsel that the most fitting emissary for this mission is the wise and distinguished Rabbi Shlomo Lobzencz, may he live and be well. He has been graced by God with eloquence and the ability to speak persuasively to the ministers, skillfully presenting his words with wisdom and insight. Furthermore, aside from this, a considerable amount of time is required to remain in Berlin for several months, perhaps three or more. And who else would be able to dedicate himself to this mission other than Rabbi Shlomo, may he live and be well?
From my own experience, I see that it is impossible for me to be away from my home for more than two or three weeks due to various personal reasons. And it is likely that, like me, others will also encounter many obstacles preventing them from traveling. Therefore, my dear friends, I urge you to act for the sake of Heaven and wisely determine how to raise the necessary funds collectively. You should also appoint a trustworthy representative in Berlin who will oversee the proper use of the funds for all the needs and objectives of this matter.
The negotiations and efforts should be carried out by Rabbi Shlomo, may he live and be well, especially if the chosen representatives, known as ‘Die Deputierten’, agree to travel to Berlin. If you begin by appealing to influential figures close to the royal court, then, my brethren, once they return home safely, the completion of the mission can be entrusted to Rabbi Shlomo, may he live and be well, who will remain there until his task is successfully completed. I do not say this, Heaven forbid, as an absolute directive, nor do I presume to advise you authoritatively, but rather to awaken your attention to the matter. Ultimately, do as you see fit, and may God guide you to a wise decision.
The one who honors you and remains your devoted friend,
Akiva, son of the late Rabbi Moshe Ginz, of blessed memory”.
On the reverse side of the letter, Rabbi Akiva Eiger wrote the address: "To the honorable leaders, heads, and officers, residents of the sacred communities of the West Prussia region, may God protect and sustain them."
The renowned Gaon Maran Rabbi Akiva Eger (1761-1837) was an eminent Torah scholar in his times, born in Eisenstadt, son of R. Moshe Güns and of the daughter of the first Rabbi Akiva Eger [Rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D’Rabbi Akiva]. Before he reached bar-mitzvah age, he already studied in the Breslau Yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher Rabbi Binyamin Wolf Eger and at fifteen, began delivering Torah discourses. After his marriage in 1778, he moved to Leszno (Lissa) to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzik Margaliot. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed Rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva in the city. In 1815, he began his 23-year tenure as Rabbi of Posen until his death in 1837. In Posen as well, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He cherished teaching his disciples and this pursuit took precedence over writing Torah novellae and responsa to the thousands of queries which reached him daily from all corners of the world. A holy person with ru’ach hakodesh, although supremely humble and gracious, he insisted upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He used his authority to lead the communities in the Posen district (Northern Poland and Prussia) and fiercely and successfully fought the Reform movement and those who attempted to tear down the walls of Torah observance. He issued many regulations and established many public institutes. (In the realm of his rabbinical duties, he was accustomed to visiting every ill person who resided in the communities. After his strength waned in his senior years, he appointed special emissaries to visit the ill in his stead and requested to receive their names so he could pray for them).
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: Rabbi Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw’s most influential Jews and his father’s successor in the Posen rabbinate. He wrote Gilyon Maharsha and other works; R abbi Avraham Eger from the city of Rawicz who edited his father’s writings [with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H. – acronym of the Hebrew "Amar Avraham Ben HaRav HaMehaber" (Avraham, son of the author said)]; his renowned son-in-law Maran Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer who after the death of his first wife, wed the daughter of R. Akiva Eger [Rebbetzin Sherel, mother of Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf, author of the Ktav Sofer and Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Rabbi of Krakow].
R. Akiva Eger devoted his entire life to Torah study, known for his amazing proficiency and his deep interpretations which became basic tenets of Torah learning until our times. His seforim and novellae are key Torah texts for yeshiva students and for poskim. Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach, author of Avi Ezri, writes in his approbation to the sefer Pote’ach She’arim – Some of the Torah Teachings of R. Akiva Eger (Jerusalem, 1985) "For us, Rabbi Akiva Eger and his opinions and reasoning are as conclusive as one of the Rishonim…".
Please see also Lot 76.
22.5 x 18.7 Cm.
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Lot #102