A remarkable and lengthy halachic and pilpul letter, spanning three densely packed sides, written by the esteemed Rabbi Aharon Shmuel Assad. The letter is addressed to the renowned Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman, author of Yeriot Shlomo. Rabbi Aharon Shmuel begins with a gracious opening, filled with elaborate honorifics, poetic language, and intellectual compliments, acknowledging the effort he takes to respond despite his own pressing commitments.
"Nikolsburg, Erev Shabbat Vayeshev, 1857
"To the cedar of Lebanon, whose name endures as the sun, delighting until the moon is no more; the brilliant decipherer, a man more precious than gold, unparalleled in strength, master of secrets, the esteemed Rabbi, the luminous scholar, the pure lamp, the warrior who battles at the gates, the light and splendor of Israel, an inclusive sage, humble above all, the righteous and pious Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman, may his light shine in the splendor of truth, Av Beit Din of Mako
I once again turn my gaze toward the sanctuary of his holiness, for it is now the second time that I have written to the honorable Rav, seeking permission and divine grace to stroll with him in the garden of Torah and taste from the delights of his wisdom, fruits of Torah and the living God. Yet even now, I have received no reply, and his response remains absent. I had hoped to bask in the light of his Torah in vain, and my hope was dashed.
And indeed, I am puzzled by this, for I have heard of His Honor’s humility and righteousness, qualities so widely praised, as I have been told by my own father, the esteemed and renowned scholar, may he live long. Why, then, has he withheld his goodness from me, and why should I be deprived?
Therefore, I say, a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken. I shall run once again to knock on his doors, beseeching him with a humble plea: let this become a statute of his greatness, not to turn me away empty-handed but to respond to me each time I write. I plead with His Honor not to tell me that his burdens are great, for I am well aware of this. Yet, let him count me among those who add to his holy obligations.
I humbly beg that he shine his light upon me like the rays of the sun that illuminate from afar. Let him bestow upon me from the spirit of his wisdom, a double portion of his sacred insight. If not for my sake, let it be for the honor of my father’s house and for the honor of Torah itself. May my heartfelt plea find favor in his holy eyes.
Aharon Shmuel, son of the illustrious Rav Yehuda Assad, Av Beit Din of Serdehel
The letter then continues with an in-depth Torah discourse spanning three full sides, written in Rabbi Assad’s younger years. It addresses the following halachic topics:
Whether a mitzvah requires personal benefit (hanei’at mei’av).
The nature of mitzvah-related eating that deviates from normal consumption.
Errors in Torah scrolls (sefer Torah).
The status of a doubtful impure appearance (mareh tameh) in a pregnant woman.
The Gaon Rabbi Aharon Shmuel Assad (1830–1905). Born in Szerdahely (Dunaszerdahely; today Dunajská Streda). He was the son of the Gaon Rabbi Yehuda Assad, who later served as the town’s Av Beit Din. He was a student of his father during his tenure as Av Beit Din in Semnitz, as well as a disciple of the K’tav Sofer and Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer (Av Beit Din of Eisenstadt and later Berlin). In 1856, Rabbi Assad married the daughter of Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Glazer of
Nikolsburg, and he lived near his father-in-law.
Nikolsburg, and he lived near his father-in-law.
Rabbi Aharon Shmuel received rabbinic ordination from the leading scholars of his time, including Rabbi Shlomo Kluger Av Beit Din of Brody, Rabbi Avraham Shag Av Beit Din of Kobersdorf,
and Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman Av Beit Din of Mako. In 1860, he succeeded his brother-in-law, Rabbi Yonah Reichhart, as Av Beit Din of Kata. In 1866, he followed in his father’s footsteps as Av Beit Din of Serdahel, where he served for decades until his passing on Friday, 6th of Nisan, 1905. Rabbi Assad corresponded with many of his era’s Torah giants, including the K’tav Sofer and the Maharam Shik. He published his father’s responsa, adding his own notes and glosses, and authored works such as Chiddushei Rasbi”d – Esh Dat and She’eilot Shmuel.
and Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman Av Beit Din of Mako. In 1860, he succeeded his brother-in-law, Rabbi Yonah Reichhart, as Av Beit Din of Kata. In 1866, he followed in his father’s footsteps as Av Beit Din of Serdahel, where he served for decades until his passing on Friday, 6th of Nisan, 1905. Rabbi Assad corresponded with many of his era’s Torah giants, including the K’tav Sofer and the Maharam Shik. He published his father’s responsa, adding his own notes and glosses, and authored works such as Chiddushei Rasbi”d – Esh Dat and She’eilot Shmuel.
The Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman, author of Yeriot Shlomo, he was one of the great Torah scholars of his generation. Born in Ansbach, he was the son and student of Rabbi Shalom Charif, author of Divrei Rash. He married the daughter of Rabbi Bunem Eiger, Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf (and brother of Rabbi Akiva Eiger). After his marriage, he opened a yeshiva in Ansbach. In 1823, he was appointed Av Beit Din of Rendok, and three years later, he became Av Beit Din of Mako, where he served for 38 years until his passing.
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman corresponded extensively with the Torah luminaries of his time, including the Chatam Sofer, K’tav Sofer, and Rabbi Yehuda Assad, who referred to him with the utmost reverence.
Rabbi Yehuda Assad (the father of the author of the present letter) praised him as “the light and sanctity of Israel, ” “the glory of the generation, ” and “a wonder among the Sanhedrin.” It is said that the Divrei Chaim of Sanz remarked, “Since the Noda B’Yehuda, there has not been a work like this.” His Yeriot Shlomo was a foundational text for many, and the Divrei Chaim once stated, “Hungary does not realize the treasure it possesses.”
Rabbi Yehuda Assad (the father of the author of the present letter) praised him as “the light and sanctity of Israel, ” “the glory of the generation, ” and “a wonder among the Sanhedrin.” It is said that the Divrei Chaim of Sanz remarked, “Since the Noda B’Yehuda, there has not been a work like this.” His Yeriot Shlomo was a foundational text for many, and the Divrei Chaim once stated, “Hungary does not realize the treasure it possesses.”
Among his prominent disciples were Rabbi Amram Blum, author of Beit Sha’arim. Many of Rabbi Ullman’s descendants became renowned rabbinic figures in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak.
25.5 Cm. Light wear, folding lines, old tape to 2nd page.
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Lot #103