Auction 62
Lot 175:
Volume with two of the compositions by Rabbi Naftali Sofer (1811-1899) the son of Rabbi Mordechai Ephraim Fischel Sofer. Served as Av Beit Din of Karlburg and later of Fetshi-Najdorf, Hungary. A close disciple of Maran the Chatam Sofer (See below).
1. Drush Mateh Naftali, section II. Sermons he had delivered when he served as Rav in the Karlburg community. First edition – Pressburg, 1865. [7], 54 leaves. Printed cover on pink paper.
2. Sefer Sha’ar Naftali, Drusgim and Ma’amarim. The book is approbated by the Maharam Esh and the Divrei Chaim, who wrote of him: "ידעתי את המחבר הזה ואת שיחו… והתענגתי מזיו כבודו וראיתי כי כוונתו לשמים…", at the beginning of the book, a eulogy for the Gaon Rabbi Yehuda Assad – First edition, Pressburg, 1867. [5], 2-46 leaves. Change in the color of the leaves. Printed cover on blue paper.
New binding. Very good condition.
Rabbi Naftali Sofer (1819-1899) was Av Beit Din of Kodelburg and Petsch-Neidorf. He was born in Pressburg to Rabbi Mordechai Ephraim Fischel Sofer, and like his father he was a student of the Chatam Sofer and received his bris while on his knee. The Chatam Sofer even wrote that in his journal. The Chatam Sofer also showed him special signs of his affection: “he is among my most beloved and favorite students” he wrote in a recommendation letter filled with praise. There is a story that, once, someone asked his rabbi a question, and Rabbi Naftali answered him with a psak, and the Chatam Sofer was joyous and declared: “Truth, that is the way it is and I write my tshuva in my journal in your name.”
After the Chatam Sofer’s death he continued to learn under the Katav Sofer, who mentions him in a number of tshuvot that he wrote to him (Shut Katav Sofer, Yoreh De’ah 158; Choshen Mishpat 22). Rabbi Naftali and his brothers, including Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer of Paksh, were known throughout Hungary as a rabbinical family, the second in importance after the Chatam Sofer’s family. He was known for his righteousness, which is why he became known as HaTzaddik. Authored the Mateh Naftali, the Bnei Naftali, the Shaar Naftali, and more. See: The Chatam Sofer and his Students, p. 382-384.
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