Auction 38
Lot 178:
The foundational work of mussar, Sefer HaYashar by Rabbeinu Tam of the Tosafot. Copy owned by Rabbi Naftali HaTzaddik Sofer, a student of the Chatam Sofer, signed twice on the title page (“Naftali Sofer”, “I bought this, Naftali ben Mordechai Fischel.” On the back of the book are signatures of Rabbi Eliyahu Mordechai Eisenstein. 48 leaves, 18cm. A few stains and moth holes. No binding, overall 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.
Rabbi Eliyahu Mordechai Eisenstein (born 1867) was the son of Rabbi Avraham Eisenstein, head of the Beit Vaad HaKollel in Jerusalem. He served in various public offices, including treasurer of the Vaad HaKollelim in Jerusalem, secretary of the Vaad Klali of Knesset Yisrael. For a few years he was secretary of Rabbi Shmuel Salant. He was married to two daughters of Rabbi Zalman Haim Rivlin.
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