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AARON M.
SCHREIBER
The Hatam Sofers Nuanced . Attitude Towards Secular Learning, Maskilim, and Reformers
Introduction
abbi Moshe Sofer (1762-1839), commonly referred to as Hatam . Sofer (after the title of his famous halakhic work), served as Rabbi of Pressburg, a major city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, beginning in 1806. Subsequently, he became one of the principal leaders of the Orthodox Jewish community in Central Europe in the first four decades of the 19th century. R. Sofer was at the forefront of the orthodox struggles against the Jewish Reform movement.1 A towering halakhic authority whose rulings and opinions were sought by many from near and far, he was also known as a zaddik and as a person of unwavering principles . to which he adhered regardless of the personal struggle required.2 He was charismatic and was reputed to be graced with the Divine Spirit,
AARON M. SCHREIBER has been a tenured Professor of Law at a number of American law schools, and a founder and Professor of Law at Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law in Israel. His published books include Jewish Law and Decision Making: A Study Through Time, and Jurisprudence: Understanding and Shaping Law (with W. Michael Reisman of Yale Law School). He has authored numerous articles on law, jurisprudence, and Jewish subjects, and was the Principal Investigator for many years of the computerized Jewish Responsa (Sheelot u-Teshuvot) Project at Bar-Ilan University.
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even to receive visions of events in the future and in far away places.3 As a result, he had a profound influence on religious Jewry, particularly in Hungary, Poland, and all of Central Europe, both during and after his lifetime. His views on many religious issues continue to carry great weight to this day. Hatam Sofers influence was enhanced by the yeshivah which he . founded in Pressburg in about 1806. It eventually became the largest yeshivah in all of Europe,4 probably unrivaled in size since the great yeshivot of the Babylonian Gaonim one thousand years earlier. His yeshivah served as a bastion of Orthodox Jewry in central Europe. Its graduates were appointed to leading rabbinical positions and were prominent in the battles against the Jewish Reform movement throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hatam Sofer has been portrayed by his close disciple, R. Hillel . Lichtenstein (as well as by the latters son-in-law, R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger), as extremely zealous and rigid in his opposition to certain practices and trends. They reported him as extremely antagonistic to secular studies and to the Haskalah and Reform movements in general, and as hostile to certain individual adherents in particular. In their view, Hatam Sofers attitudes are typified by his well-known slogans: All that . is new, is forbidden by the Torah;5 The children of Israel go forth with Yad Rama6 (reflecting his insistence on strict adherence to the Shulhan . Arukh); If we would have the power, it would be my view to expel them [the Reformers] from our borders . . . and their community would be like the community of Z adok, Bietas, Anan, and Shaul.7 This is the . view of Hatam Sofer commonly held today. . However, for a more rounded, complete and accurate understanding of Hatam Sofers views on secular learning, maskilim8 and reform. ers, one must look at the wider record. I will argue that such examination discloses a much more variegated and nuanced attitudeeven, at first glance, ambivalence. His views appear to have changed over time, progressively becoming more stringent, especially in the last few years of his life. 9 We will also explore R. Sofers attitude to the use of German, especially in preaching, since this was affected by his views regarding secular studies.
Secular Studies and the Use of the German Language

In order to understand Hatam Sofers attitude, we must examine the fol. lowing four different kinds of evidence, always considering their time
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and context. Such a breakdown permits a comparison of Hatam Sofers . attitude as indicated by one type of evidence with that reflected in other types. There are four main sources of evidence regarding Hatam Sofers . attitude: (a) Hatam Sofers own actions, including written approbations . issued for books. (b) Testimony regarding his attitude by those who were personally close to him. These include his children, grandchildren, leading disciples, and confidants. (c) Attitudes of these relatives and confidants, themselves. Since they revered Hatam Sofer, regarding him . as their role model, we may assume that their views reflected his. (d) R. Sofers writings, including his responsa, derashot, and letters.
Actions
Numerous acts of Hatam Sofer reflect a favorable attitude toward secular . learning. Thus, he lived in Mainz as a young man and spent considerable time studying and gaining proficiency in a wide variety of secular subjects, including geography, mathematics, history and astronomy.10 These studies are described by a disciple, R. Leib Landsberg11 and by a grandson, R. Shelomoh Sofer. The latter wrote, He was expert in geometry and algebra. . . . He had a vast knowledge of mathematics. . . . He was also expert in anatomy . . . and, similarly, he was an expert in astronomy and physics . . . and he began to write a book on these disciplines in order that this knowledge should be available to his disciples. . . .12 One of Hatam Sofers disciples reported that an expert mathemati. cian once visited Hatam Sofer and showed him a complex mathematical . problem that he had been unable to solve. Hatam Sofer solved the prob. lem in minutes and the expert expressed his astonishment. Hatam Sofer . retorted, You work with regel, but I work with my head.[Regel in German, means regular or ordinary. In Hebrew, it means, foot.]13 In later years, R. Sofer read the haskalah journals, Bikkurei ha-Ittim and Ha-Measef, and perused books on medicine and science written by non-Jews. He was in contact with some of these authors in connection with his halakhic responsa. At times, he disagreed with their views.14 Moreover, throughout his life, R. Sofer studied the classic medieval work on Jewish concepts and ethics, Hovot ha-Levavot, by R. Bahya Ibn . . Pekuda, and urged his disciples to study it regularly.15 This may be further indication of a positive attitude to secular learning, as R. Bahya . presents a favorable attitude to the study of nature at the beginning of chapter 2.
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His knowledge of secular studies, however, was not limited to scientific fields. R. Yaakov Zvi Hersch Fleissig, a disciple of Hatam Sofer, . reported that Hatam Sofer had said that he surpassed philosophers in . his knowledge of philosophy. 16 Furthermore, according to one source, which is, admittedly, of doubtful validity, Hatam Sofer, in or about 1819, gave his consent to a . proposal by R. David Katz Friesenhausen. The latter urged the establishment of rabbinical seminaries in Hungary, Galicia, Bohemia, and Moravia that would teach secular subjects. Their curriculum would include Latin and other languages, philosophy, and various secular disciplines, in addition to the Talmud and Codes. 17 Eventually, even according to this source, R. Sofer withdrew his consent from the venture because of his fears regarding the spread of the Reform movement.18 But in 1820, R. Sofer (together with all the members of his beit din) consented to the establishment of a vocational school in Pressburg and signed the by-laws of its governing organization.19 The school trained students who were not able to study in the Yeshivah in carpentry, construction, weaving, shoe making, tailoring and farming. Hatam Sofer also demonstrated a positive attitude towards secular . studies in writing approbations for the publication of scientific books, and employment recommendationseven as Rabbi and Rosh Yeshivah for authors of secular works. Among the works for which he issued approbations was Parperaot la-H okhmah 20 by K. Schwerloss. In that approbation, R. Sofer wrote, . He knows mathematics and showed his great knowledge in this work which he composed to ease the way for those who study Euclid, and I tasted the pleasant nectar of his words.21 He similarly wrote, in 1833, in support of Loeb Leopold Dukas German translation of Rashis commentary on the first five books of the Torah, published in Prague. Hatam Sofer wrote that the author had studied in his Yeshivah in . Pressburg, . . . and, thereafter, turned to the way [which goes] through the vineyards of the wise men, in other wisdoms and in the languages of the nations. . . . When God will help him to print the rest of this work, I will purchase one copy at whatever the price is, and others should learn from me to do likewise, to support him and help him.22 Apparently, he was pleased that his disciple had progressed in secular learning and had become fluent in the German language. (See below for Hatam Sofers . views regarding use of German.) In 1819, R. Sofer also wrote a warm letter for R. David Katz Freisenhausen, recommending him for a position as community Rabbi
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and Rosh Yeshiva. Among other praises, the letter stated, He is certainly worthy of appointment as rabbi in a large community and of establishing a yeshivah there for older and younger students. . . . All should honor him and his Torah, so that a community seeking a rabbi will know to appoint him to the post. 23 As mentioned above, R. Katz Friesenhausen was noted for his expertise in many secular disciplines and authored books in Hebrew on these subjects. Additionally, Hatam . Sofer wrote an approbation for Shevilei Olam,24 a book on geography by Shimshon Ha-Levi Bloch. R. Sofer wrote, In our community, he has distributed his books because they are useful.25 He likewise wrote a letter of recommendation for the poet Shelomoh Levinson, author of secular works, recommending him for a position in Vienna as the director of a Jewish school there.26 At the request of a friend, Shelomoh Rosenthal, a maskil and philanthropist, Hatam Sofer wrote a number of letters in defense of one of the . leading maskilim of that era, R. Shelomoh Yehudah Rappaport. R. Sofer had received many communications complaining about R. Rappaports religious views and actions, and lamenting R. Sofers persistent defenses of Rappaport. In fact, the sage R. Shelomoh Kluger, of Brody, had practically discontinued his relations with Hatam Sofer over this matter. . Nevertheless, R. Sofer continued his defense of Rappaport, and later, also supported his candidacy to become Rabbi of Prague, one of the most important communities of Central Europe.27 His last letter on behalf of Rappaport was written to the community of Tarnapol in 1839, just three months before R. Sofers death. Hatam Sofers stand on the issues of secular studies and that of the . German language were related to his fears regarding the growing laxity in religious observance. German was the key to secular culture (few, if any, books in Hebrew were available on secular disciplines); it also was emblematic of modernity and was the language of the pulpit for Reform rabbis. Hatam Sofers actions regarding use of the German language, . nevertheless, indicate a degree of openness to its utilization. Thus, R. Sofer hired a tutor to teach his sons and daughters German, including grammar, so that they would be able to read newspapers and be able to write letters and documents.28 In 1821, he advised the city of Fuerth to hire R. Aharon Yehoshua Hertzfeld of Rawitz, who had not been a candidate, as their rabbi. R. Sofer emphasized that R. Hertzfeld, having mastered the German language in addition to his erudition in Torah, would be able to represent the Jewish community effectively before the non-Jewish authorities.29 R. Sofer and his son, R.
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Avraham Binyamin, also approved several of their disciples preaching in German. These disciples included R. Elazar Strasser, R. Israel Isaac Aaron Landsberg, and R. Yehiel Schlesinger. R. Sofers son-in-law, R. . Binyamin Shlomo Zalman Spitzer, also preached in German. 30 We have already seen Hatam Sofers approbation of Dr. Dukas . German translation of Rashi. In 1834 (towards the end of his life), R. Sofer even approved a German translation of the Talmud by Dr. Ephraim Moshe Pinner. A year later, however, at the request of a number of rabbis (and for additional reasons which he refrained from disclosing), he publicly withdrew the approbation. 31 In 1836, R. Sofer gave his approbation to a work in German, Mahaneh Yisrael, by Ber Frank, (a . confidant of his) and praised its pure German. The work dealt with halakhic laws of special concern to women.32 R. Sofer also customarily recited the Haggadah on Passover eve in German, as well as in Hebrew, so that the children, and all present, would understand it. 33
Testimony By Those Who Knew R. Sofer Intimately

In addition to his own actions and recommendations, Hatam Sofers . approach to secular learning may be gleaned from the testimony of his disciples. It is reported that R. Moshe Schick (generally regarded as R. Sofers prime disciple) related that, initially, Hatam Sofer had consented to rab. binical seminaries that would teach secular subjects and German. Subsequently, he retracted his approval.34 R. Schick also stated that All who merited to go in his [R. Sofers] shadow know that since his youth, he loved both Torah and secular learning, and that he encouraged his relatives and students to learn writing, language and whatever was necessary.35 R. Schick additionally said that he had personally heard from his rebbi that the study of secular subjects and other languages was neither harmful nor forbidden in certain cases, specifically in the case of those who were true to the Torah, and who studied secular disciplines and foreign languages in order to be able to influence people.36 Moreover, according to R. Schick, R. Sofer approved the use of the German language in preaching and otherwise if this would spread knowledge of the Torah and adherence to the Jewish faith. 37 This was in contrast to the views of numerous rabbis in Russia and Poland. 38 Similarly, R. Shimon Ehrenfeld, a grandson of R. Sofer, asserted that his grandfather had loved true wisdom and had never distanced himself from the sciences and secular studies. R. Sofers reason was that they all
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have their basis in the Torah. Any opposition that Hatam Sofer expressed . to secular studies was directed against acquiring such learning from heretical books.39 A similar thought was expressed in 1865, in an anonymous pamphlet published in Pressburg. It purported to be authored by a group of people who were students and contemporaries of Hatam Sofer, . and who called themselves, Torah Learners. The pamphlet stated that, contrary to some claims, Hatam Sofer did not dislike secular studies in . general, but disapproved of acquiring secular learning from books published by non-believers.40 Another student of R. Sofer reported that his master was against study of secular subjects only out of fear that a preoccupation with them might cause one to veer from Torah observance.41 R. Sofers high regard for those areas of secular learning needed for Torah studies was reported by his disciple, R. Yaakov Hirsch Yaavetz haLevi. He added that his master had been well versed in those secular subjects needed for his study of Torah.42 Rabbi Sofers disciple, R. Hezekiah Plaut, wrote that one year before . he died, R. Sofer told his students as follows: those disciples who had been commanded by their parents to study and master various matters [matters other than Torah], are directed by him to learn [those matters] from gentiles, and not from Jewish scoffers (apikorsim). 43 This seems to imply that R. Sofer did not regard secular studies per se to be forbidden by religious law, but was only concerned with the context in which these studies were taught. A follower of Hatam Sofer who favored secular learning reported . that R. Sofer said, The Torah is true and the wisdoms [are true], and two truths cannot contradict one another. 44 However, Hatam Sofers close disciple, R. Hillel Lichtestein, report. ed a contrary view of his teachers attitude. We will discuss this conflicting opinion later.
The Attitude of The Hatam Sofers Children, . His Closest Associates, and Disciples
The views of Hatam Sofers children also may reflect on the attitudes of . Hatam Sofer himself. His son, R. Shimon Sofer, later rabbi of Cracow, . served as a delegate to the Reichstadt in Vienna and spoke fluent German.45 Moreover, Yeitel Geiger, R. Sofers daughter, spoke German, and one of his sons-in-law, R. Binyamin Shelomoh Zalman Spitzer, preached in German, and was fluent in that language.46 Hatam Sofers son, R. Avraham Binyamin Sofer (known as Ketav .
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Sofer), was very close to his father, who designated him as his successor as Rabbi of Pressburg. In 1862, R. Avraham Binyamin approved the candidacy of R. Azriel Hildesheimer to become the head of the yeshivah of Pressburg and chief lecturer to the students there. R. Hildesheimer was well known for his advocacy of secular studies in yeshivot, and these subjects were taught in his yeshivah in Eisenstadt. R. Avraham Binyamin was, additionally, prepared to incorporate secular studies into the curriculum of the yeshivah of Pressburg, following this model.47 R. Hildesheimer was also to become the Second Rabbi of the Pressburg community, and to deliver sermons in German. Subsequently, at a conference of two hundred Orthodox Rabbis in November 1868, R. Avraham Binyamin took a similar public stand, and suggested introducing secular studies in all yeshivot in order to comply with the compulsory education laws of the state. 48 It is generally assumed that R. Avraham Binyamin adopted his fathers views fully. Accordingly, if Hatam Sofer had, indeed, been inal. terably opposed to secular studies, then it seems reasonable that his son would not have gone against his fathers wishes publicly. His proposal to incorporate secular studies in the curriculum of the Pressburg yeshivah would have been a resounding departure from his fathers position. Rather, the son may have followed his fathers own example in initially approving R. David Katz Friesenhausens proposal for rabbinical seminaries teaching secular studies (if the report by Shelomoh Schick, detailed above, is true). Perhaps R. Avraham Binyamin felt that his fathers reasons for subsequently withdrawing his approval no longer applied. Moreover, since state law now mandated secular studies, the talmudic principle of dina de-malkhuta dina (the law of the kingdom becomes a law of the halakha) governed. Furthermore, R. Avraham Binyamin may have felt that there was a greater need in his time for secularly trained Orthodox rabbis who were also fluent in German. Such rabbis would have greater rapport with their German-speaking congregants, and also would be more able to deal with the non-Jewish authorities. Accordingly, he may have reasoned that his father would now also have approved of secular studies. In addition to his stance regarding secular studies in yeshivot, R. Avraham Binyamin recommended and backed the candidacy of R. Shraga Feivish Fishman to become the maggid of Pressburg and to preach in German. He also supported his disciple, R. Avraham Glassner, to become the rabbi of the Gyonk community, although R. Glassner had publicly declared that he would not cease reading secular books.49 The permissive attitude towards secular learning in R. Sofers family is
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expressed in a poignant entry in the diary of R. Avraham Glassner. He was married to a daughter of R. David Z evi Ehrenfeld (a son-in-law of . R. Sofer), and was a close disciple of R. Avraham Binyamin. R. Glassner wrote that both his mother in-law (R. Sofers daughter) and his fatherin-law had urged him to acquire general knowledge, or at least, knowledge of Hungarian and German. A half-year ago, my mother-in-law . . . came to me, and my father-in-law agreed, when they saw that I did not occupy myself at all with secular books. They pressed me strongly, saying, Why dont you also study other subjects? At least, go learn the Hungarian language and the language of studies [German] in good taste and reason, because these are crucial. It is not possible to attain any position without these two languages. 50 Like those of Hatam Sofers family, the views of his close disciples . reflect his own proclivities. R. Mosheh Schick maintained that the study of secular subjects and languages was permitted to those who were well versed in all aspects of Torah; specifically, those who had acquired adequate knowledge of Talmud and the Codes. Such scholars would not be harmed by such studies. Moreover, community rabbis would benefit from secular knowledge. It would increase their stature with their congregants, and would therefore help them to improve the religious and moral status of their flock. Secular learning would also help them to dispel false impressions about Judaism. 51 Moreover, R. Schick sent his son to study at R. Azriel Hildesheimers yeshiva in Eisenstadt, where the curriculum included secular studies. The language of instruction was German.52 R. Schick also ruled that schools for children could teach secular subjects together with religious studies, if the teachers were Heaven-fearing and glorified Torah over all other disciplines. He noted that an Orthodox journal in Germany had reported that such schools had been established throughout that country, with marvelous results.53 R. Zalman Banhart, another of R. Sofers close disciples who officiated as a dayan in R. Sofers beit din, wrote a letter to R. Azriel Hildesheimer. He expressed delight that R. Hildesheimer had consented . . . to explain in proper German style all that I have written in my German (in Hebrew letters) . . . so that it may be understood by all men and women who seek to read it.54 Similarly, R. Yisrael Isaac Aaron Landsberg, who dined at R. Sofers table every Shabbat and studied under him for approximately nine years, was well versed in secular studies.55 Numerous disciples of Hatam Sofer served as community rabbis or . preachers, with his blessing. He was aware that they would preach their sermons in German. These rabbis included R. Elazar Strasser, R. Israel
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Isaac Aaron Landsberg, and many others. R. Yehiel Schlesinger, another . disciple, later preached in German every Sabbath in Pressburg, after R. Sofers death.56 Rabbi Daniel Prostitz, head of the Pressburg Beit Din, and a confidant of the Hatam Sofer, wrote in 1841 to Ketav Sofer that . one could recommend as a rabbi one who was a master of German and well versed in secular studies, if the candidate was adorned with Torah and fear of Heaven.57 The views of these disciples suggest a positive outlook towards secular studies and preaching in German on the part of Hatam Sofer. . However, Rabbi Hillel Lichtenstein, a prominent disciple, reported a sharply different version of his views. He maintained that his rebbi believed that secular studies were forbidden and that preaching in German was prohibited. In support of this view, he cited R. Sofers Last Will and Testament, which states, . . . one should not preach in the language of the nations.58 R. Lichtenstein also referred to a responsum written in 1839, the year of R. Sofers death (see later).59 As we shall see, some of Hatam Sofers derashot and other writings provide support for . R. Lichtensteins position. Conceivably, the contrast in the views of R. Lichtenstein and R. Schick regarding Hatam Sofers attitudes was shaped by the different . years in which they studied with him. R. Lichtenstein studied with Hatam Sofer in the last few years of his life, 1832-1837, when, arguably, . R. Sofers attitudes became more stringent, as detailed below. R. Schick, on the other hand, studied with the Hatam Sofer in earlier years, from . about 1821-1828, when R. Sofers views in these matters may have been more lenient. Accordingly, both disciples may have accurately recorded Hatam Sofers views in the years in which they studied with him. This . theory is not completely convincing, however, since R. Meir Eisenstadter (known as Maharam Esh), one of Hatam Sofers earliest and premier . disciples, claimed that his teacher held extreme views on these matters, which R. Eisenstadter adopted.60 Moreover, R. Schick continued to be in close touch with R. Sofer and his children, living in a nearby town even after he left R. Sofers yeshivah in Pressburg. Consequently, he would continue to have been acutely aware of Hatam Sofers attitudes. .
Hatam Sofers Writings .

R. Sofers writings with regard to secular studies and preaching in German do not appear to be consistent. They range from selective approval to hostility, especially in the last few years of his life, his views
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appearing to have changed over time. After reviewing his principal writings on this issue, I will seek to explore and resolve his seeming fluctuations in this matter. In his early years in Pressburg, R. Sofer explicitly expressed his belief that children could be taught general studies in addition to Torah. Nevertheless, in their first few years in school, only Torah was to be taught.61 In a sermon delivered in Pressburg in 1811 regarding the Talmudic statement (Berakhot, 28b) Keep your children from higgayon, he said,
. . . Some explained the term, higgayon, to refer to other wisdoms. This implies that you should keep your children [from studying them] but you should not keep yourselves [from studying them], since all of the wisdoms are perfumers and cooks for the Torah and they are doorways and gates to it. He who has no knowledge of anatomy, cannot know the laws of tereifot well, and the wisdom of mathematics and geometry are [necessary to understand the laws of] eruvin and sukkah and for the division of the land [of Israel to the Israelite tribes], and so on.62
In 1813, R. Sofer praised R. David Zinzheimer (who had been appointed to an official position by Napoleon) for his general knowledge and linguistic abilities.63 Similarly, in 1818, he wrote, I do not say that one should not learn the languages of the nations and I maintain that reciting poems and praises [in German in the Synagogue] does not deserve such an uproar.64 He also expressed regret that there was no Jewish school for the training of physicians.65 Consistent with these statements is his assertion that one who has learned Torah since his youth and has filled his mind with it will not easily come to sin, even if he learns secular wisdom afterwards.66 Furthermore, in 1827, he delivered a derashah asserting, The commandments to teach children have two reasons: one, so that they will grow in Torah and will not become learned, Heaven forbid, in the other wisdoms when they are young. [Otherwise,] they will already have drunk the bad waters and will not accept [the Torah]...One does not have to fear this in the Holy Land [the land of Israel]. . . .67 Although the evidence from Hatam Sofers actions, family and early . writings suggests a somewhat benevolent outlook towards secular studies, later writings articulate a different attitude. In 1832, seven years before his death, R. Sofer delivered a derashah in which he quoted Rambans Introduction to his commentary on the Torah:
King Solomon, peace be upon him, merited [to master] all of the wisdoms of the world. This was only through his study of the Torah. It is from this
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that he mastered [knowledge of] all of nature and [to understand] what is above and what is below, because all of these are contained in the Torah. . . . The other [secular] wisdoms that one derives from it [the Torah] are acquired according to the principle, Gods secret is revealed to those who fear him. [So, too, they are derived from the Torah] in order to know what to respond to scoffers, and so that people will not say, The wise men of Israel are not knowledgeable in our wisdoms and regarding nature. . . .68
This indicates R, Sofers belief that all wisdoms could be derived from the Torah. However, in another derashah (year unknown), R. Sofer initially concedes that mastery of all of the secular wisdoms is necessary to fulfill the laws of the Torah. Still, one should study only Torah, since one can derive from it all knowledge of secular wisdoms.
In truth, our Torah is small in size, and contains a number of stories that occurred, and some laws, rules and ordinances that the Jewish nation should follow. However, this [latter] is impossible unless they know all of the other wisdoms, since it is impossible to receive witnesses [and thereby establish the new] month, unless we know all of the details of the travels of the sun and the moon and their paths. It is impossible to judge a magician if we do not know the roots of the magician and the wisdom of the people of the East, nor [to know] the laws of tereifot unless we know the discipline of anatomy in the greatest detail and depth, and [it is not possible to understand] the songs of the Levites unless we know the discipline of music, nor to divide the Land of Israel [among the Israelite tribes] without knowing how to measure the land, and the disciplines of geometry and geography, nor [to master the rules of] hybrid seeds and their nourishment without knowing agronomy. . . . Yet, there is not a single mention of all the above [disciplines] in the Torah and we do not have any book which was composed about these matters. The other nations have wise men and many books on all of these, and we would be forced to study all of these from their books. But, God said, You shall study it [the Torah] day and night, and our Sages said, Do not move from it [the Torah]. When it was asked, Is it permitted to study hokhmat yevanit [Greek wisdom]?, they replied it should be . studied at a time when it was neither day nor night, since it [the Bible] says, You shall study it [the Torah] day and night (Menahot 99b) and . there is no available time to study all of these [the Torah and secular subjects] . . . and it does not give Him [God] any pleasure if we occupy ourselves with their [the other nations] books. If so, from where will we know all that is necessary for [to follow the laws of] the Torah? Accordingly, it must be [the case] that the roots of all the wisdom of the world are planted in it [the Torah] and still more, the hints of the secrets of the Torah, such as what is beyond wisdom.69
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R. Sofer does not state explicitly here that secular learning is forbidden. Rather, he says, There is no free time to learn all of these, and It does not give Him pleasure if we occupy ourselves with their books. He seems to be discouraging spending a great deal of time on secular subjects, to the neglect of Torah studies. He does not, however, ban secular learning outright. The fact that the sermon was not intended as a prohibition of secular learning is indicated by its very content. The basis of Hatam . Sofers conclusion regarding secular studies is his interpretation of the talmudic phrase, h okhmat yevanit, as referring to secular wisdoms. . Yet, he certainly would not rule that secular subjects were proscribed predicated on this understanding. After all, R. Sofer was undoubtedly aware that one view in the Talmud itself (Sotah 49b) makes it clear that the term does not refer to other wisdoms. Rather, the phrase alludes to a code language known to Greek Hellenist rulers and their co-workers.70 Furthermore, R. Sofer surely knew that one view in the Talmud understands the biblical injunction that he cites, You shall study it day and night in a very different way than he. It holds that this miz vah may . be fulfilled simply by reading the passages of keriat shema in both the morning and evening, rather than requiring study of the Torah all the time.71 R. Sofer, a master halakhist, would not have relied on such weak proofs to forbid secular learning. Rather, he seems to be using the talmudic sayings for homiletic purposes in his sermon, knowing that the public was aware of the principle, ein meshivim al ha-derush. One does not refute a homily, since the sermonizer is permitted to interpret liberallythe preachers equivalent of poetic license. 72 Furthermore, R. Sofers words are unclear regarding the extent to which Jews are discouraged from occupying ourselves with secular learning. Does occupying ourselves refer to spending all of ones time, or even to spending part of ones time, with secular learning? R. Sofers later derashot come down more sharply. In a sermon in 1833, he criticized Jews who . . . teach their sons the methods of businessmen, the language of non-Jews, and bookkeeping, so that they would have a ready source of livelihood, and additionally, in order to beautify themselves and to look well in the eyes of the nations and nobles, to be like gentiles, to know their wisdoms and languages and to grow long hair.73 This statement, though somewhat ambiguous, could be interpreted as condemning Jews who study secular subjects, rather than Torah, for the wrong reasons, including assimilation.
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The notes recorded by R. Sofers grandson at a derashah delivered in 1834 reveal a still more restrictive view toward secular studies.
The nations of the world probe deeply into nature, this one in astrology [astronomy], this one in philosophy, and this one in music, and so forth. Each one is expert in one area. [For] Israel, however, it is written, You shall study it [the Torah] day and night, and he [the Jew] does not have permission to occupy himself with other wisdoms, other than Torah, to know the laws of God and its teachings, or in prayer to the Lord, our God, [who answers] whenever we call Him.74 (Emphasis added.)
R. Sofers words, he [the Jew] does not have permission, implies a prohibition on secular learning. This statement appears to contradict the evidence produced earlier. While, does not have permission does not carry the same weight as forbidden by Torah law, the meaning of the passage is problematic in view of his earlier statements. Hatam Sofers Last Will and Testament (written in1837 and supple. mented in 1839), raises further questions. R. Sofer wrote that a rabbi should not deliver sermons in the language of the nations. He also warned his children to beware of foreign literature and culture.75 The will specifies at the beginning that it was written for you, my sons and daughters, my sons-in-law, my grandchildren and their children. Nevertheless, some believed that R. Sofer meant his will to apply to all.76 In 1839 (one year before his death), R. Sofer criticized those who, in subscribing to halakhic documents, signed their names in Latin letters, instead of using Hebrew letters. He contended, furthermore, that employing foreign languages was among the eighteen matters which were prohibited by religious enactments. 77 It was in order not to run afoul of these prohibitions, according to R. Sofer, that Jews in earlier times deliberately employed corrupted versions of foreign tongues. Implied in his words is that this is why many Jews spoke Yiddish, rather than pure German. In that same year, 1839, R. Sofer addressed a responsum to a community that was very lax in Torah observance. It was claimed that the shohet, who was also the cantor of the community, blatantly failed to . slaughter a chicken properly, violated the Sabbath, committed adultery, and made remarks denigrating the Jewish religion. R. Sofer was unwilling to rule that the shoh et should be discharged, since he had been . cleared of the charges by a local rabbi. R. Sofer did, however, write that the shohet should study Torah, not secular books, and that the commu. nity (which had no rabbi) should appoint one. The rabbi should not be one who reads secular books and [delivers sermons in] foreign lan-
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guages, because it is forbidden to receive Torah from such a rabbis mouth. [Appointing such a person as rabbi] is like setting up an asherah [a tree for idol worship] in the sanctuary of the Lord.78 R. Sofer did not specify whether this ruling applied only to that particular community and its rabbi, or to all communities. It is possible that he intended these harsh words only for such a community where religious unobservance was obviously prevalent. Nevertheless, his words are a powerful statement of antipathy to secular learning. It might be argued that R. Sofers seeming ambivalence regarding secular learning and the use of German might be explained by distinguishing between his theoretical views and his acts. Thus, philosophically, he may have opposed secular learning, unless this was derived from the study of Torah, itself. Operationally, however, he acted otherwise. This explanation, however, is not satisfying since R. Sofer has been universally regarded as a very principled person, who acted in accordance with his deep convictions.
Hatam Sofers Attitude Towards Maskilim and Reformers .

R. Sofers opposition to Reform and Haskalah is well known, and was widely publicized by his disciple, R. Hillel Lichtenstein and the latters son-in-law, R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger. They are reflected in his famous slogans, noted above, All that is new is forbidden by the Torah and The children of Israel go forth with the hand of Rama. R. Sofers attitude is also evidenced by his expressed desire, noted above, to expel Reformers from the community of Jews, if he would have the power to do so. Nevertheless, Hatam Sofer corresponded with a number of well. known maskilim, such as R. Zekharya Yeshayahu Katz Joles79 and even R. Shlomo Yehudah Rappaport, who published Reform-oriented views.80 Despite the furious opposition to Rappaport by many of the Orthodox Jews in his town, Tarnopol, R. Sofer, until the end of his life, continued to support him. Hatam Sofer was not deterred by the severe . criticism by R. Shelomoh Kluger of Brody that caused the latter to practically stop communicating with him.81 In 1839, shortly before his death, R. Sofer wrote still another letter in Rappaports defense and attempted to quiet the opposition to him.82 R. Sofer was also on friendly terms with many other maskilim.83 He heaped profuse praise upon R. Z vi Hersh Hayes, a rabbi-maskil, who was in close touch and corre. . sponded with numerous maskilim and Reformers.84 R. Sofer was on very friendly terms with, and spoke highly of, R. Wolf Heidenheim as late as
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1836.85 R. Sofer continued his friendship with Heidenheim although the latter had approved in writing the religious reforms instituted by the Jewish Consistory at Kassel, headed by the trailblazing radical Reformer, Israel Jacobson.86 Also, at the request of R. Yisrael Wahrmann, a rabbi in Budapest, who was close to the Reform movement, R. Sofer wrote an approbation in 1822 for a work on geography, Shevilei Olam, by Shimshon Halevi Bloch.87 R. Sofer was also on amicable terms with a number of other maskilim, in addition to the five mentioned above. One was R. Moshe Mintz, a noted rabbi who was regarded by many as also a maskil.88 Another rabbi-maskil with whom R. Sofer was on amicable terms was R. Moshe Kunitz. The latter, perhaps because he was misled, contributed to a Reform book of polemics, Nogah Z edek. This work was attacked bitterly . by R. Sofer and numerous rabbis and was in the center of the controversy regarding the establishment of a Reform Temple in Hamburg. 89 Another rabbi-maskil befriended by R. Sofer was R. Aharon Yehoshua Hertzfeld of Ravitz. R. Sofer praised him for his fluency in the German language, and recommended him for a position as rabbi of an important community.90 The aforementioned positive relationships with leading maskilim and Reformers appear inconsistent with the often acerbic condemnations that Hatam Sofer leveled at Haskalah and Reform during the same . period of time.91 Some scholars have claimed ambivalence in Hatam . Sofers actions and utterances in many different spheres of activity, not just those relating to the Reform and Haskalah movements. 92
Cordial Relations Between Prominent Rabbis and Maskilim

The existence of cordial relations between rabbis and some maskilim and reformers in that era is hardly surprising. One noted authority on Hungarian Jewry of that epoch has observed, The boundaries between rabbinic and Haskalah cultures were not sharply defined in Hungary and the Bohemian provinces.93 There were quite a few prominent rabbis and heads of yeshivot who were very religiously observant, particularly, in Moravia and Bohemia, but were also maskilim, interested and engaged in secular learning.94 R. Sofer himself did not object to the inclusion of letters from a number of noted maskilim in Eleh Divrei ha-Brit. This was a collection of letters from Orthodox rabbis all over Europe directed against the
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Jewish reforms in Hamburg in 1818. R. Sofer was a key figure in this collection, three of his letters were included, and he was very influential in obtaining letters from prominent rabbis.95 He could have protested their inclusion in the collection, but did not do so. The collection included a letter by R. Shmuel Bernstein that proclaimed reverence, in oversized, bold, print, for both Moses Mendelssohn and Naftali Hertz Wessley. 96 Yet, R. Bernstein designed his above letter to battle the Reform movement. His praises of Mendelssohn and Wessely indicate that he must have felt that these two would also have opposed the Hamburg reforms. Still more arresting, R. Sofer himself addressed a responsum to R. Bernstein in 1819, one month after R. Bernsteins letter appeared in Eleh Divrei ha-Brit, and addressed him with extraordinarily laudatory titles. 97 By that time, R. Sofer, presumably, had seen R. Bernsteins letter in R. Sofers copy of Eleh Divrei ha-Brit. Moreover, R. Sofer did not demur when the collected letters were edited and translated into German by Salomon Jacob Cohen, the editor of Ha-Measef, and Bikkurei ha-Ittim, journals of the Haskalah movement.98
The Campaign Against Reform and the Mendelssohnian Heritage

Hatam Sofer played a leading role in a multi-faceted battle to stem the . tide of Reform and Haskalah, and he galvanized the opposition to these movements. His numerous derashot and letters to individuals and communities all over Central Europe formed a crucial element in this campaign. In addition to his key role in the Eleh Divrei ha-Brit project, his yeshivah in Pressburg, the largest in Europe, graduated thousands of students during his thirty-year tenure as its Rosh Yeshivah. Many of them became rabbis in communities throughout Central Europe and were very active in this struggle. In November 1865, a number of Hatam Sofers students and follow. ers, citing his teachings, convened a gathering of Orthodox Rabbis in Michalovce, Hungary. They issued a rabbinic decision and manifesto against Reform innovations, required maintenance of substantial dividers in the synagogue between men and women, and mandated retaining the bimah in the center of the synagogue. The conclave also prohibited preaching in German, wearing canonical robes by cantors, and other matters.99 This assembly and its decisions resonated throughout Central Europe and influenced many other rabbis and community leaders to vigorously oppose Reform innovations.
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The organized Orthodox opposition to Reform was further reflected in a convention of approximately two hundred Orthodox rabbis in Budapest, in November, 1868. They met to plan for elections to the forthcoming Jewish Congress mandated by State law. Hatam Sofers . spirit dominated the convention, and his influence was exemplified by the unanimous choice of his son, R. Avraham Binyamin, as chairman.100 R. Sofer perceived Moses Mendelssohn as a founder of the Reform movement and abhorred him. Accordingly, he vigorously opposed the use of Mendelssohns biblical commentary, Biur, and his accompanying German translation.101 Hatam Sofers disdain for that work had the effect, . in practice, of greatly limiting the use of the Biur in many communities. Despite R. Sofers stand on this issue (and that of some other orthodox rabbis), however,102 a number of his close disciples (including, R. Moshe Schick, his most prominent disciple) did use and cite from it.103 Remarkably, Hatam Sofer did not, as far as we know, publicly . denounce Mendelssohn, nor did he preach any derashot, nor write any letters condemning him. On the contrary, in the one responsum in which R. Sofer mentions Mendelssohn, he refers to him respectfully as R.M.D. (R. Moshe of Dessau, the R. being a title of esteem). R. Sofer even utilized the same respectful title in his Last Will, in which he directs his descendants not to touch Mendelssohns works.104 Hatam Sofers principled disdain for Mendelssohn and his opposi. tion to use of the Biur was in distinct contrast to his peers. An imposing array of leading rabbis, talmudists, and religious leaders of the time had a high regard for Mendelssohn.105 Even R. Sofers eminent father-in-law, R. Akiva Eger, of Pozen, wrote an approbation for the Biur, and also noted that he was subscribing to purchase it.106 R. Yeh ezkel Landau . (author of Noda be-Yehudah) praised the Biur, and indicated that he might have issued an approbation for it, if not for the fact that it was accompanied by a German translation.107 These two rabbis were widely regarded as the leading talmudic sages of their time. R. Mordekhai Benet, the Chief Rabbi of Moravia, also issued his approbation.108 R. Sofers staking out this rather lonely position is, perhaps, a testimony to his prescience, since his view of Mendelssohn became the dominant attitude among Orthodox Jews in less than a century after his death. Leading Torah sages and rabbis continued, however, to give it warm approbations, even many years after Mendelssohns death. It was also cited as authority for halakhic rulings as late as the twentieth century.109 The foregoing approval of Mendelssohn and his associates by the most prominent Torah sage and rabbis, reflects a fact not widely appre-
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ciated today. Opposition to Mendelssohn and Wessely by Orthodox rabbis spread gradually and became nearly universal only in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Until that time, many rabbis regarded these two as simply maskilim, who would, themselves, have opposed the Hamburg religious reforms. Maskilim who were religiously observant were acceptable to Orthodox rabbis who had a high regard for secular learning. Thus, both R. Samson Raphael Hirsch and R. Azriel Hildesheimer, the leading battlers against the Reform movement in mid-nineteenth century Germany, were lavish in their praise of Mendelssohn.110
Courteous Relations Between Hatam Sofer and . Individual Moderate Reformers

Despite their sharp objections to reforms, Hatam Sofer and other Orthodox . rabbis maintained courteous relations with individual Reform rabbis and laymen. These interactions were not, however, as warm as their rapport with certain maskilim. The civil contacts with Reformers were carried on especially where these could result in practical benefits. Thus, both R. Sofer and R. Mordekhai Benet of Nicholsburg wrote cordial letters to Lazar Biederman, a leader of the Reform Jews in Vienna. They praised him highly in their letters, while requesting jobs for their relatives and students at the Kultustemple, the community synagogue.111 Despite the fact that this synagogue was founded and run by Reformers,112 its Rabbi, Isaac Noah Manheim, had moderated his Reform views. The Kultustemple did not have an organ, women sat on a balcony, and prayers were in Hebrew.113 Consequently, it came to be regarded as a suitable place of employment for Orthodox Jews. R. Sofers candidate, R. Eliezer Horowitz, was hired for a position there as a kashrut supervisor, prayed in the Kultustemple, and taught in the religious school conducted by Rabbi Mannheim.114 When Rabbi Mannheim visited Pressburg for a particular event, leaders of the Orthodox community there set out rich furniture and expensive carpets and made other extensive arrangements to welcome him.115 Perhaps the desire for civility and the hope of obtaining benefits caused Hatam Sofer to address extremely laudatory praises to Leib . Schwab, a principle ideologue and leader of the Neologist reform movement in Hungary. This movement was regarded by Orthodox Jews in Hungary as anathema and as a version of the German Reform movement.116 R. Sofer called Schwab, ha-maor ha-gadol ha-muflag, moreinu ha-rav (the great and outstanding light, our master and teacher).117 It
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should be noted that Schwab refrained from introducing radical reforms in Budapest, where he was Rabbi. As mentioned previously, R. Sofer objected strenuously to the founding of a primaerschule, a school in Pressburg founded by maskilim and emphasizing secular studies according to the program of Haskalah. Nevertheless, R. Sofer hired a teacher at that school, Mendel Stern, to be a tutor for his children at home in Hebrew language and grammar.118 He further approved of a Jewish school for girls, maedenschule, founded in Pressburg in 1829 by Lazer Horowitz. Secular subjects were taught at the school, which was housed in the same building as the primaerschule. The girls school was supported by people in the Orthodox community as well as by maskilim. R. Sofer himself was on the Board of the girls school,119 and people in both communities aided the school.120 The civil interactions that existed between Orthodox rabbis, maskilim, and moderate Reformers are reflected in the activities of Ber Oppenheim and in his relationships with numerous Orthodox rabbis. A leader of the Jewish community in Pressburg, he was a leading supporter of the primaerschule and helped to spearhead much of the opposition to R. Sofer in Pressburg in the early 1820s. According to Shelomoh Sofer, grandson of Hatam Sofer, Oppenheim had, as a youth, been iden. tified by R. Nathan Adler as an apikoros. R. Adler had warned his students not to associate with him because he was a prime source of ritual defilement.121 Yet, Oppenheim published a halakhic work, Mei Beer.122 Like many other prominent rabbis of that era, R. Sofer wrote a halakhic responsum to Oppenheim, published in Mei Beer, and addressed him as my friend. 123 R. Sofer also tolerated and permitted a separate minyan of maskilim and moderate reformers to conduct religious services in Pressburg. This was on condition that that those who officiated at the services should not wear priestly garments and that piyyutim, liturgical poems, should not be deleted from the services.124 The foregoing occurrences indicate that the boundaries between Orthodox Jews and maskilim were not always clear, and that civil relations existed even between Orthodox rabbis and some moderate Reformers. R. Sofers actions must, therefore, be understood in the context of his era. It would be anachronistic to project back to his time the concept of separation between these groups that is prevalent today.
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Hatam Sofers Halakhic Philosophy and Principles .

Hatam Sofers halakhic philosophy, and the principles and strategies that . he employed in dealing with opponents, provide keys to resolving the apparent ambivalence in his acts, rulings and writings. In combating Reform and Haskalah innovations, R. Sofer adopted a number of strategies. One of them was to apply a principle, It is good to elevate a prohibitionthat is, to make a religious prohibition seem more serious than it might really be in order that people should treat it with the proper seriousness. This principle includes omitting the citations of lenient views that would downgrade the seriousness of a prohibition. He expressed this halakhic philosophy quite explicitly in his 1836 letter to R. Z vi Hersh Hayes.125 The letter deals with an attempted innova. . tion by Reform Jews to delay the burial of a corpse for a few days. The purpose of the postponement of burial was to ensure that the presumed deceased was not really still alive. R. Sofer ruled that delaying burial beyond the day of death violated two biblical precepts: an affirmative commandment, You shall bury him on that day, and the negative commandment You shall not let his body hang on a tree (Devarim 21:23). R. Hayes pointed to authorities who held that only one biblical pre. cept was involved in postponement and that the rule mandating burial on the day of death might even be rabbinic, not biblical. R. Sofer responded,
They [the Torah sages] were careful not to open the door and to search for leniencies for those of our nation who search for breaches [in the fence of the law]. This is what they desire, and if they would find an opening, be it as small as the tiny hole in a needle, they would make breach after breach. . . . I wrote that keeping a corpse [overnight] entails violation of an affirmative and negative biblical command [although you cite contrary views by authorities], since, at any rate, the Ramban wrote that. This makes no difference nowadays, and it is good to elevate a prohibition [to overstate it and make it appear more stringent]. You relied on the view of the Havvot Yair, which has been shunned [by halakhic . authorities], who says that the basic prohibition was only a Rabbinic one. However, one should not reveal this matter, since, because of our many sins, there are many nowadays who say they are not concerned with a Rabbinic prohibition, since God did not command [it]. . . .
R. Sofer then cites a lenient ruling in a responsum by R. Yehezkel . Landau, author of Noda be-Yehudah)126 and comments It would have been better not to print this Responsum in order not to give assistance to deliberate sinners. . . .
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Surely, R. Sofer must have been aware that adherence to his principle of elevating a prohibition would apparently contravene the biblical prohibition of adding miz vot to the Torah (Devarim 4:2).127 This princi. ple could also run afoul of the biblical precept, Distance yourself from falsehood(Shemot 23:7). This is precisely what R. Hayes responded to . Hatam Sofer.128 . How did Hatam Sofer justify the deliberate overstatement of reli. gious prohibitions?129 It is possible that he was guided by talmudic principles that give wide discretion to specified posekim to violate biblical law as a temporary expedient when the hour requires it. These authorities were empowered to issue halakhic rulings contrary to biblical law, even if this entailed taking someones lifeprovided, that this is done to achieve certain overriding policy goals. The main purpose for which such a halakhic ruling is permitted is to preserve religious faith in the face of a widespread and serious threat.130 Halakhic decisions of this type have had a long history in halakhic Responsa literature for more than a millennium. They were applied by leading posekim, such as Rashba, Rosh and many others, and are recorded as applicable law in the Shulhan Arukh. Hatam Sofer himself com. . mented extensively on this principle.131 Given the circumstances that prevailed in his time, R. Sofer could reasonably have considered Reform and Haskalah as serious threats that made this halakhic principle applicable. He feared that these movements could lead to the destruction of the traditional Jewish religion. Accordingly, it became his key policy goal to halt the growth of the Reform and Haskalah movements and to combat their ideology. This objective became particularly crucial to him after a Reform Temple was established in Hamburg in 1818 and in view of the rapid spread of the Reform movement.132 Accordingly, in Hatam Sofers view, the threat that this talmudic . principle was designed to counter was similar to the peril that existed in his times. The Talmud had applied this emergency rule to Jewish Hellenists, who were trying to persuade all Jews to abandon observance of the Sabbath and the fundamental tenets of Judaism (Yevamot, 89b). To R. Sofers mind, the Reformers and maskilim in his time had the very same goals. They, too, advocated wholesale abandonment of Shabbat, kashrut, and other fundamentals of Judaism. To be sure, before R. Sofer could apply this emergency principle, he had to determine that no equally effective alternative was available to him that would not entail violating religious tenets. He also had to consider the facts and circumstances of each case and to weigh the ramifica-
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tions, expected outcomes, and ultimate effects of all possible alternate rulings by him. This was especially important where, as in Hatam Sofers . case, he contemplated making halakhic rulings based on goals and halakhic policies, rather than on normal black letter legal doctrine.133 Only if he concluded that the urgent needs of the hour demanded it, and other alternatives were not suitable, could he apply the emergency principle. Apparently, though, he did so and decided to apply the emergency principle in order to meet the needs of the hour and stem the tide of Reform and Haskalah. This rule, as noted above, could also authorize him to advocate that lenient halakhic views should not be publicized.134 Perhaps, then, R. Sofer did, in fact, follow a consistent path in his conduct regarding such matters as secular learning, use of the German language, and relations with certain maskilim and Reformers. In applying the emergency principle, he would act in the way that appeared to him most effective to meet the needs of the hour and to stem the spread of the Reform and Haskalah ideology.135 Consequently, R. Sofers conduct might have been entirely consistent.136 However, it could appear discordant to one not aware that he guided his behavior by employing the emergency principle, and that he weighed the possible consequences of each case. Today, nearly two hundred years later, we cannot know the precise circumstances surrounding each of R. Sofers actions, nor how he weighed the circumstances and possible outcomes for each action that he contemplated. We are also unaware of his exact calculus in deciding what steps, if any, were appropriate under the prevailing circumstances. Another explanation of R. Sofers ambivalence is that he was often faced with conflicting considerations. For example, he firmly believed that secular learning was indispensable for the understanding of Torah, and should, ideally, be obtained solely through Torah study. Yet, he also realized that the ordinary layman was unable to obtain secular skills and knowledge in this way. Similarly, he realized that the rapid spread of secular education among Jews, often mandated by state law, made secularly educated rabbis very desirable. These would have greater standing and influence in their communities, which consisted of a growing portion of secularly educated congregants. Hence, he may initially have approved of rabbinical seminaries teaching secular subjects, though he later rejected this practice because of the increasing inroads of the Reform movement. So, too, R. Sofer was aware of the rapid spread of the German language as the vernacular in everyday use in Central Europe by Jews, who often understood no other language. He therefore realized that German
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translations of Torah and Talmud could be very helpful. At the same time, he also recognized that fluency in German might make Jews more receptive to the literature and ideas of German Reform and to German-speaking Reform preachers. Knowledge of German would also enable Jews to read German books and periodicals, thereby introducing them to Gentile culture and secular values. These would, almost inevitably, reduce the quality of their religious observance. Consequently, Hatam Sofer became . averse to the cultivation of fluency in the German language, as well as its use in preaching.137 The conflict between these various considerations might account for his initially consenting to a German translation of the Talmud, but later changing his opinion. Likewise, R. Sofers hired tutors to teach his children the rudiments of arithmetic, and to read and write in German, including communications with State officials. Similar considerations apply to his recommendation of German speaking rabbis for important communal positions, because they would be able to deal more effectively with governmental authorities.138 Also helpful in understanding Hatam Sofers conduct is that special . considerations may have motivated him to maintain friendly relations with leading maskilim. As a student of R. Nathan Adler, just as Hatam . Sofer was, R. Heidenheim was a peer of R. Sofer, and thus on friendly terms with him since their youth. Furthermore, unlike other Reformers, R. Heidenheim was a scholar, highly regarded as a masoretic expert and an authority on grammar and liturgical texts.139 He published numerous prayer texts for Jewish Holidays that received wide approbations from prominent rabbis, including R. Sofers revered teacher, R. Pinh as . Hurwitz (author of Haflaah).140 Hatam Sofer felt that many piyyutim, . would have been lost, if not for R. Heidenheims work.141 For that matter, each of the other maskilim mentioned above was a noted talmudic scholar, and each wrote well-regarded talmudic treatises. Their talmudic scholarship, alone, may have earned them R. Sofers respect. In the case of R. Rappaport, R. Sofers favorable letters were written at the request of Shelomoh Rosenthal, a maskil who had assisted R. Sofer in many ways over the years. R. Sofer may have found it difficult to refuse to return the favors. There may have been other factors as well. By maintaining amicable relations with certain maskilim and moderate reformers, Hatam Sofer . might be able to prevent their moving further way from strict religious observance; in turn, they could be helpful in influencing their more radical fellows to moderate their conduct. Sometimes, R. Sofers conduct
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may have reflected temporary concessions that he felt compelled to make in order not to lose the war against Haskalah and Reform. This was true even in his own community of Pressburg, where the community leaders were often maskilim or Reformers, who fought many bitter battles with him.142
R. Sofers Principle To Act Cordially to All

Hatam Sofer utilized another principle in his personal conduct that may . have affected his conduct toward maskilim and Reformers. He made it a point not to attack any person ad hominem, and to act civilly in all disputes. In a responsum in 1819, he wrote, I have been very careful not to quarrel with any person. No one at all is ever named in any of my letters and they do not disclose any personal quarrels, only truth battling with falsehood.143 In response to a request by his colleagues to write a sharp letter of rebuke, he wrote in the same responsum, . . . to write him words of reprimand and conciliation, without shouts, screams and quarrels, is not contrary to my words. R. Sofer carried out this principle faithfully in practice, as testified to by students. One of them wrote, One never heard him speak disparagingly of any person whatsoever, even to those who were known, and whom he believed, to be deliberate sinners and apikorsim. On the contrary, he received such people with a friendly face.144 Moreover, people who knew him testified that as long as a person was religiously observant or, at least, did not scoff at religion, Hatam Sofer did not dislike him simply because he was a maskil.145 .
Ambivalence Toward Secular Learning in Reaction to the Spread of Reform and Haskalah
R. Sofers changing positions with regard to teaching secular subjects in schools appear to have been due to his concern over the spread of the German Reform and Haskalah movements.146 The rapid growth of these movements, emphasizing secular culture, made R. Sofer leery of secular learning by Jews, especially by children. It kindled a fear that it would cause them to forsake Torah observance. Hence, whereas in 1811 he delivered a derashah tolerant of some secular education for children, his subsequent derashot increasingly stressed that all secular knowledge should be obtained from Torah.147 It is possible that R. Sofer may have pronounced his tolerance of secular education for schoolchildren when he learned that leaders of the
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Jewish community of Pressburg planned to establish a primary school emphasizing secular studies.148 R. Sofer may have wished to avoid antagonizing them, hoping that he could influence them to stress Torah studies if such school were ever established. In fact, the school, with an emphasis on secular studies, was eventually opened in April, 1820.149 R. Sofer also agreed to the founding of a vocational school in 1820, and signed its by-laws.150 Perhaps R. Sofer believed that this institution, which was designed to prepare its students to earn a livelihood, might blunt the effect of the secular studies school that opened that year. It might also possibly diminish the threat that a haskalah secondary school might eventually be founded. The spread of the Reform and Haskalah movements and the increasing use of the German language by the Jews of Central Europe tore R. Sofer in opposite directions with regard to the use of German. He realized that familiarity with the German language and culture would wean Jews away from religious observance. Yet, he was prepared to utilize the German language to spread Torah knowledge and was well aware that fluency in German was extremely important for community rabbis. The dilemma that this posed continued to torment him throughout his life. Chronology bears out the hypothesis that the spread of Reform, Haskalah and the German language exerted a pronounced effect on R. Sofers worldview, particularly, in his later years. Thus, it was in 1839, the last year of his life, that Hatam Sofer expressed his most extreme . views on these matters. He may also have been particularly disturbed in that year when Abraham Geiger, a leading Reform theoretician, was invited to head a prominent Reform congregation in Breslau. In that year, R. Sofer wrote a responsum in which he maintained that speaking foreign languages was an ancient prohibition, one of the eighteen matters adopted during the second Temple era.151 In that responsum, he criticized the signing of ones name in Jewish legal or religious documents, using Latin letters, instead of Hebrew. Moreover, it was in that same year that he penned the responsum in which he directed a lax community to hire a rabbi who would not preach in German and mandated the shohet-cantor, who had been accused of serious religious violations, . to stop reading secular books.152 In that same year, he reaffirmed the provisions of his last Will and Testament in which he asked his children to maintain a distance from secular works, and wrote against preaching in German.153 In that very year, 1839, however, he wrote yet another letter in defense of Rappaport. It therefore appears that his concern with Reform was not the decisive consideration in all circumstances.
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Of course, all human beings manifest inconsistencies. Nevertheless, we have identified in Hatam Sofer principled reasons behind his seem. ing ambiguities during his very active and long life.
Mistaken Representation of Hatam Sofers . Views By Later Followers

Despite the substantial evidence to the contrary adduced above, it is commonly believed by the heirs to R. Sofers tradition that he saw absolutely no use for secular learning. They also claim that he had never bothered to acquire secular knowledge. Thus, R. Yosef Naftali Stern, publisher of R. Sofers derashot and other works, wrote,154 The opposition of our master, of blessed memory, to secular studies is so widely and well known that it is hardly necessary to cite examples for this from his numerous warnings and lectures of chastisement. . . . However, as detailed above, R. Sofers son and heir to his views, R. Avraham Binyamin, was willing to have secular studies in the yeshiva of Pressburg. He expressed this view even at a time when this was not compelled by the State. Furthermore, beginning with the latter years of the nineteenth century, the Roshei Yeshivah of the yeshivah in Pressburg, who purported to follow in R. Sofers ways, permitted the students to study secular subjects for a number of years. This was done to conform to state law. At the yeshivah itself they were also taught to master the German language and to orate in it, although this was not mandated by state law.155 Rabbi Stern156 was swayed by some of Hatam Sofers writ. ings, and disregarded evidence we saw earlierhis other writings and actions, and the testimony of his close family members and disciples. Similarly, R. Shelomoh Sofer, a grandson, in a biography of his grandfather, H ut ha-Meshulash, described R. Sofers secular studies in . Mainz, He also acquired knowledge of other sciences needed for the understanding of the Torah from books written by the greatest scholars of our nation (emphasis mine). 157 But, as Hatam Sofer himself had . stated in several derashot, there were no Jewish books from which to acquire secular learning, and Jews were compelled to acquire such learning from gentiles and their books.158 These comments of R. Shelomoh Sofer are especially surprising, given that he must have been aware of his grandfathers writings on this subject. So too, another descendant of Hatam Sofer, R. Avraham Shmuel . Binyamin Sofer-Schreiber, a great-great-grandson, quoted R. Shelomoh
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Sofers above description nearly word for word. However, he changed the language to read, He sat there in a house full of books and devoted himself to Torah and the fear of heaven.159 All references to his forebears secular studies were deleted.160 The fact that Hatam Sofers views underwent such distortions is dis. tressing. But we must confront the fact that the overall recordincluding his writings and actionsseems inconsistent.
Conclusion
Nearly 200 years have passed since R. Sofers demise, and it is impossible to reach definitive, precise conclusions about the true views of this complex personage. His conduct appears to have been affected by many factors. These included his apprehensions concerning the growth of the Reform and Haskalah movements, and his halakhic philosophy and principles of conduct. Moreover, the particular circumstances in which he operated in each instance could seriously impact his conduct. Further impairing our ability to ascertain his views is the apparent likelihood that they changed over time. It is incontestable, however, that R. Sofer believed that knowledge of certain secular subjects was indispensable for understanding Torah and for halakhic rulings. Philosophically, however, he was opposed to secular studies and felt that these should be acquired by studying the Torah itself. R. Sofer did not clarify how the ordinary Jew, one who was not an outstanding Torah scholar nor endowed with ruah ha-kodesh, divine . inspiration, could acquire secular knowledge in this way. R. Sofer expressed the view, perhaps under pressure, that secular subjects could be taught to boys in Jewish schools, provided that they were preceded by intensive and prolonged Torah studies. He did not, however, object to secular subjects in the girls elementary school in Pressburg. It deserves to be noted that R. Sofer apparently did not regard acquisition of secular learning as a value in itself, but only as a tool for the understanding of Torah. Nor, apparently, did he stress the necessity of the study and understanding of nature in order to appreciate the greatness of God. Similarly, he did not emphasize that the development of ones mind and the acquisition of secular learning were inherent religious obligations, on the basis that the mind was created by God and, therefore, should be utilized to its full extent.161 Nor, did he stress appreciation of beauty. He did, however, compose many poems.162 Have we achieved a satisfactory resolution of Hatam Sofers appar-
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ent inconsistencieson the one hand, his acts and the views that he expressed orally to those close to him, and on the other hand, his writings, particularly the derashot, the two responsa of 1839, and his Last Will and Testament? One is perhaps justified in claiming that the matter remains not fully resolved despite all of the rationales suggested above. Hopefully, this article will stimulate further exploration of this subject by others, leading to additional enlightenment.
Notes I am indebted to the following persons (in alphabetical order) for their comments, references, and insights: Dr. Sol Cohen, my brother-in-law Rabbi Abraham Moshe Kahana, Professor Shnayer Z. Leiman, Dr. Moshe Samet, my brother-in-law Rabbi Yitzchak Sender, Professor Michael K. Silber, Rabbi Shmuel Singer, and Rabbi Dr. Walter S. Wurzburger zl. 1. For details, see the exposition and footnotes in Moshe Samet, The Beginnings of Orthodoxy, Modern Judaism 8:3 (October, 1988): 249, 255; idem, Kavvim Nosafim le-Biografiyah Shel ha-H atam Sofer, in Torah Im . Derekh Erez , ed. Mordechai Breuer (Jerusalem, 1987), 65-73; idem, Halanat . Maitim, Asufot, 3 (1989): 413-459; idem, Ha-Shinnuyim be-Sidrei Beit haKenesset: Emdat ha-Rabbanim Keneged ha-Meh adshim ha-Riformim, . Asusfot 5:3 (Jerusalem, 1991): 345-404; Michael K. Silber, The Emergence of Ultra-Orthodoxy: The Invention of a Tradition, in The Uses of Tradition, ed. Jack Wertheimer (Cambridge, MA, 1992), 28-84; idem., The Historical Experience of German Jewry and Its Impact on Haskalah and Reform in Hungary, in Toward Modernity : The European Jewish Model, ed. Jacob Katz (New Brunswick, New Jersey,1987), 107-157; Michael A. Meyer, A Response to Modernity: A History of the Reform Movement in Judaism (New York, 1988), 122, 154; Y. Ben-David, Beginnings of Modern Jewish Society in Hungary During the First Half of the 19th Century, Zion 17 (1952): 101-128. 2. Examples of this trait are cited in Yaakov Katz, Kavvim Le-Biografiyah Shel ha-Hatam Sofer, in Katz, Halakhah ve-Kabbalah (Jerusalem, 1984), 370-371. . 3. See the examples and sources cited in Yaakov Katz, Ibid., 372-373, 374, 376, and R. Sofers own statements in his Sefer ha-Zikkaron Meet ha-Hatam Sofer . (Jerusalem, 1957), 2-3.1 4. The yeshivah started out with about forty students in 1806-7, increased to about 150 by 1809, had about 250-300 in 1821 and possibly, on occasion, had about 400. See Shelomoh Sofer, Hut ha-Meshulash (Drohobycz, 1908), . 62, 84; Moshe Sofer, Sefer ha-Zikkaron (Pressburg, 1810), 50; B. Z. Hamburger, Zikhronot u-Mesorot al ha-Hatam Sofer (Benei Brak, 1996), 64; . inscription on Hatam Sofers tombstone. In contrast, the yeshivah in . Volozhin, founded by R. Hayyim Volozhiner in 1802-3, had about 50-100 . students by the time of his death, possibly, about 200 in the era of his son R.
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Izeleh, and 250-400 towards the end of the 1800s under R. Naftali Zvi . Yehuda Berlin, the Nez iv. See Norman Lamm, Torah LishmahTorah For . Torahs Sake (New York, 1989), 28. For example, Responsa Hatam Sofer, Y.D.:# 19; E.H. 3:#130 . For example, ibid., O.H. 1:#103; E.H. 1:#98, 3:#130. In this slogan, the word, . tnr (the acronym commonly used for the co-author of the Jewish Codes of Law, R. Moshe Isserles) is substituted for the word vnr in the Biblical verse in Shemot 14:8. Responsa Hatam Sofer 6:#89. This group was numerous and influential in . the first millennium C.E. and its members were regarded by many as no longer Jews. The term maskilim or maskil, as used herein, refers to persons who either claim, or are widely reputed, to be maskilim. This entails beliefs or practices of least one of the following: emphasis on Biblical studies; an antitalmudic and anti-halakhic ethos; emphasis on reason, not religious tradition, as a yardstick of conduct and beliefs; reduced observance of Jewish religious laws; a belief that secular culture, values, and philosophy are of central importance; the view that Jews should participate in the general culture of non-Jews; a desire for assimilation with non-Jews in language, dress, and manners; favoring the breakdown of barriers between Jews and gentiles; downgrading the concept of Israel as an elected people; frequent communication with, and writing to maskilim, or publishing materials in haskalah periodicals. Obviously, since the guidelines are so broad and varied, determining whether or not any particular person is a maskil is a matter of personal judgment, and is subject to debate. Some persons, as indicated hereafter, may easily fall into more than one category, particularly, rabbis who were also maskilim in one respect or another. Some examples: In 1800, he permitted shaving ones beard, and wrote, I do not understand why there is such a tumult about this. Responsa H atam . Sofer, O.H .: #159. He also permitted wearing short jacketsa practice, . which, like shaving, was the style of the general populationinstead of the traditional long coats, and he permitted learning the vernacular and secular subjects. See M. Samet, Kavvim, note 1 above, 259. Yet, in 1809, he prohibited shaving in all forms, except with an instrument made of wood or bone. See Moshe Sofer, Sefer ha-Zikkaron (Jerusalem, 1957), 20. Moreover, in 1833, he criticized R. Yehezkel Landau, author of Noda be-Yehudah, for per. mitting shaving during the intermediate days of a festival. See Responsa, O.H.:#154. The tone of the last two pieces implies unhappiness with shaving . the beard, in general. See M. Samet, Kavvim, note 1 above, 69. (Nevertheless, close associates of his, such as Ber Frank and Hirsch Levov, respectively the Secretary and the Head of the Pressburg community, were clean-shaven. Michael Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug be-Yahadut Hungariyah, Ph.D thesis (Hebrew University, 1985), 259, f.n. 62 Moshe Sofer, Rabbi Mosche Sofer, Israelit (1861): 496. This was published during the lifetime of Hatam Sofers son, R. Avraham Binyamin Sofer . (known as Ketav Sofer), and presumably, with his approval; Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language and Secular Studies: Attitudes Towards Them in the Thought of The Hatam Sofer and his Disciples, . (hereafter, The German Language), Proceedings of the American Academy
5. 6.
7. 8.
9.
10.
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for Jewish Research (Jerusalem and New York, 1996):160. 11. Eleh Toldot (Pressburg, 1876), 10 12. Shelomoh Sofer, Hut ha-Meshulash (Tel Aviv, 1968), 6b. He stopped writing . this encyclopedia of the sciences when such a work, Sefer ha-Berit (Zolkiev, 1807) was published by R. Pinhas Eliyahu Hurwitz. See also Shelomoh Sofer, Ibid., 29b, 99; Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 153-4; A.H. Weiss, Zikhronotai Genazim I (1961):19; Y.H. Yaavez ha-Levi, . Sefer ha-Mor Deror 1 (Vienna, 1892), Introduction, 7. 13. Y.H. Yaavez ha-Levi, Introduction to Sefer ha-Mor Deror, note 12 above. . 14. Responsa Hatam Sofer, Y.D.: # 338. See Meir Hildesheimer, The German . Language, note 10 above,153-154 for numerous citations supporting this view from the writings of Hatam Sofer. . 15. For example, see Responsa Hatam Sofer, O.H.: #185 and H.M.:# 90. . . . 16. A.H. Weiss, note 12 above, ibid. Yet, R. Sofer expressed his opposition to the study of philosophy. Derashot (Sereta, 1929; reprinted New York, 1971), 81a, 112b, and referred to the defilement of philosophy, ibid., 304a. 17. Shelomoh Schick, Mi-Moshe Ad Moshe (Muncacs, 1903), 38b, 39 cites his teacher R. Moshe Schick as his source. This is the only source for this claim, and I have been unable to find other evidence to confirm it. Moreover, there is no mention in any of R. Moshe Schicks writings of this approval by R. Sofer. Such mention would be expected, particularly in those places in which R. Schick disputes the view put forth by some that R. Sofer had a very negative view regarding secular learning. (See Likkutei Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, ed. . Y. Stern [London, 1965]:# 82, p. 73-75; Responsa Maharam Schick, O.H .: . #70, 306,307). R. Schick could have supported his contentions by citing R. Sofers approval of the seminaries, instead of relying simply on his own understanding of R. Sofers views. Shelomoh Schicks claim is subject to further doubt since he is known to have strongly favored secular education for Jews. Support for his views from Hatam Sofer would, therefore, have been . very desirable for him. Further verification is, therefore, needed to substantiate the assertion about R. Sofers approval of Rabbinical seminaries. What can be verified is that R. Sofer wrote a letter recommending R. David Katz Friesenhausen as qualified to serve as rabbi or rosh yeshiva. See Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, section on letters, #13, p. 83. Shelomoh Schick also makes the surprising claim that the Hasidic Rebbi and noted . zealot, R. Moshe Teitelbaum (author of Yismah Moshe) gave his consent for . these seminaries. If R. Sofer did, indeed, give his approval, he was more permissive than the Vilna Gaon. The latter had favored secular studies, but, apparently, only by individuals who would acquire such knowledge outside of the yeshivah, without formal instruction. See Aaron M. Schreiber, Hashkafato Shel haGra Al H ashivut ha-Haskalah ha-Kelalit ve-Al ha-Kesher le-Yemot ha. Mashiah, (hereafter, Hashkafato Shel ha-Gra), Bekhol Derakhekha Daehu . 9 (Bar-Ilan University, Summer, 1999):16. 18. Shelomoh Schick, Mi-Moshe Ad Moshe, note 17 above; Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above,130, 157; Yehudah Nah shoni, . Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, ha-Hatam Sofer (Jerusalem 1986), 215. . 19. Ber Frankel, Bikkurei ha-Ittim (Pressburg, 1832). Y. Nah shoni, Rabbenu . Moshe Sofer, note 18 above, 217. 20. Vienna, 1814
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21. Y. Nahshoni, Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, note 18 above, 215; Meir Hildesheimer, . The German Language, note 10 above, 163. Moshe Samet, however, denies that the approbation was given for this work, and claims that the approbation was given for a work on Halakhah. (M. Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, note 1 above: 66). Regardless, the approbation speaks favorably of secular learning, such as mathematics. 22. Likkutei Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, note 17 above, # 28, p. 8. . 23. Ibid., letter No. 13, section on letters, 83; David Katz Friesenhausen, Mosedot Tevel (Vienna, 1820), 13a. 24. Zolkowe, 1822 25. Likkutei Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, note 17 above, section on approbations, # 13; . Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 163, f.n. 139. 26. Yehudah Nah shoni, Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, note 18 above, 215; Y.Y. . Greenwald, Li-Flagot Yisrael be-Hungariyah (Deva, 1929), 17-18. 27. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, # 56, p. 94. 28. R. Hezekiah Feivel Plaut, a disciple of Hatam Sofer in his Likkutei Haver Ben . . Hayim, III (Pressburg, 1840), 4b. . 29. Likkutei Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, note 17 above, section on letters, # 20, p. 84. 85. Shelomoh Sofer, H ut ha-Meshulash, note 12 above, 27b-28a; Y. Y. . Gruenwald, Le-Toledot ha-Reformaz ion ha-datit be-Germaniyah u-be. Hungariyah (Jerusalem, 1972), 72; Y. Nahshoni, Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, note . 18 above, 215. 30. Shelomoh Sofer, Iggerot Soferim, (Vienna-Budapest, 1928), section on Kitvei ha-Ketav Sofer, 2; Meir Hildesheimer, The German language, note 10 above, 134-140. 31. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, section on letters, # 38, p. 90. Hatam Sofer indicates there that he was not disclosing all of the reasons . for his change of mind. Some of the reasons may be those set forth by Z evi . Lehren of Amsterdam and by R. Akiva of Breslau (See S. Sofer, Iggerot Sofrim, note 30 above, 70-78). Hatam Sofers views, reflected in his initial . approval of such a translation, were shared by R. Eliezer Fleckeles, who saw a need for a German translation of the Talmud so that all Jews could understand the words of Hazal. R. Fleckeles was one of the prime disciples of the . Noda be-Yehudah, and head of the Prague beit din. Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 140. 32. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, section on approbations, #4, p. 2. 33. Shelomoh Sofer, Hut ha-Meshulash, note 12 above, 50b. Meir Hildesheimer, . The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer Toward Moses Mendelssohn, Proceedings . of the American Academy for Jewish Research (1994):186. 34. Shelomoh Schick, Mi-Moshe Ad Moshe, note 17 above, 38b. For problems with this claim, see footnote No. 17, above. 35. Ibid., 39 36. Responsum of R. Moshe Schick in Likkutei Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, note 17 . above, p. 74. 37. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, 75. 38. See Aaron M. Schreiber, Hashkafato Shel ha-Gra, footnote 17 above, 5, 21. 39. Hatan Sofer (Ungvar, 1874), 2a. . 40. Ketav Yosher Divrei Emet (Pressburg, 1865) 41. A.H. Weiss, Zikhronotai, Genazim I (1961):10. 42. Sefer ha-Mor Deror I, note 12 above, introduction, p. 7.
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43. H.F. Plaut, Likkutei H aver Ben H ayyim, note 28 above, ibid. See B.S. . . Hamburger, Zikhronot, note 28 above, 216. This disciple wrote that one never heard from R. Sofer words that slandered or tarnished the reputation of any person. This included even those whom he firmly believed to be deliberate sinners and scoffers (apikorsim). On the contrary, he always received such people with a pleasant demeanor. Another of R. Sofers disciples reported an incident related to him by an old man. This man told him that he had asked R. Sofer, then in Mattesdorf, regarding a book that he saw in the rabbis house. R. Sofer responded that it was a book of Euclidian geometry. Yaakov Hirsch Yaavez ha-Levi, Sefer ha. Mor Deror, note 12 above, ibid. See B.S. Hamberger, Zikhronot u-Mesorot Al ha-Hatam Sofer (Benei Berak, 1996), 305. . 44. Nogah ha-Yareah, pamphlet No. 5, published in 1872; Yehudah Nahshoni, . . Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, note 18 above, 213. 45. R. Yosef Naftali Stern, in his Introduction to Rabbi Shimon Sofers Mikhtav Sofer 1 (Jerusalem, 1952), 56. 46. Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 134-135 47. Mordechai Eliav, Mekomo Shel ha-Rav Ezriel Hildesheimer be- Maavak al Demutah ha-Ruh anit Shel Yahadut Hungariyah, Zion: 7(1962); Meir . Hildesheimer, Rabbanei Hungariyah va-Aseifat Mikhaloviz , Kiryat Sefer 63, . 3(1990-1991): 948; S.Z. Leiman, Rabbinic Openness to General Culture in the Early Modern Period in Western and Central Europe, in Judaisms Encounter With Other Cultures, ed. Jacob J. Schacter (Northvale, New Jersey and Jerusalem, 1997), 204. It was also reported that Ketav Sofer expressed his regret that he had not mastered German and secular subjects. See Meir Hildesheimer, Rabbanei Hungariyah, ibid., 947. 48. In 1867, pursuant to the orders of the Austrian Minister of Education and Religions, approximately 200 Orthodox Rabbis met to consider a course of action relating to the establishment of a General Congress of Hungarian Jews. A proposal to approve the founding of a Rabbinical Seminary was voted down and condemned. Ketav Sofer then suggested that secular studies should be introduced into the yeshivot, including his yeshivah in Pressburg, as a way to deflect demands to create a rabbinical seminary. Ketav Sofer stated that if the Austrian government would enact a law requiring secular studies, then the halakhic rule of dina demalkhuta dina [the law of the state becomes a law of the Halakhah] would apply and must be obeyed. At this, R. Zvi Hersh Friedman, the Hasidic Rebbi of Liska, cried out, A rabbi in Israel . should have nothing to do with bildung [secular subjects] or the sciences. It is enough that he knows how to sign his name in German or Hungarian, and no more. At that point, many of the assembled rabbis who were opposed to this view made a demonstrative exit, followed by R. Yirmiyahu Lw and his sympathizers, who opposed the views of the Hasidim, in general. This is how . the conference came to an end. Michael Silber, The Emergence of Ultra Orthodoxy, note 1 above, 43; Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitaheh (Jerusalem . 1995), 143. (Katz reports a different version of which group stormed out first); Moshe Samet, The Beginnings of Orthodoxy, Modern Judaism 8:3 (October, 1988): 249. 49. Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 140-144, 147149. 50. R. Glassner wrote as follows
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51. 52.
53. 54.
55. 56. 57. 58.
tka ratc vsh kg ohfxv hnj odu hj, vgubmv h,unj hkt vtc vba hmj unf vz rtac od sh jka, tk vnk rntk ovhrntc hbuehmvu ohbumj ohrpxc kkf h,exg ,gsu ogy cuyc ohsunhkv iuaku vhrduv iuak sunkk lk [ohbp kf kg=] pfg /,ughsh /ukkv ,ubuak hkc ,hkf, ouak ghd,a gbnbv inu ostv kf vz hf See Yosef Cohen, H akhmei Transilvanyah 11 (Jerusalem 1989), 37; Meir . Hildesheimer, The German Language, note 10 above, 149; Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitaheh, 85. . H iddushei Agadot Maharam Schick Al Masekhet Avot (Jerusalem 1985), . Mishnah 1:11; Responsa Maharam Schick, O.H.:#309 and Y.D.:#335; Maharam Schick ha-Shalem Al ha-Torah (Jerusalem 1990), 46,128,174. Other leading rabbis in Hungary also sent their sons to this yeshiva. These included Rabbi Yehudah Aszod, who corresponded in Halakhah with R. Sofer, and others. Meir Hildesheimer, Toward a Portrait of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer, (Hebrew) Sinai 54 (1964), 75; Shnayer Z. Leiman, Rabbinic Openness to General Culture in the Early Modern Period in Western and Central Europe, note 47 above, 203. Responsa Maharam Schick ( Muncacs, 1881),Y.D.:# 232. This writing is included in his book, Minhah Tehorah. This work contains an . approbation by Ketav Sofer, who praised R. Hildesheimer for having formulated the text in proper German. Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language and Secular Studies, note 10 above, 101. See his Zekhor le-Avraham (Jerusalem 1972), 307; R. Leib Landsberg, Tiferet Banim Avotom, an unpublished manuscript, cited in Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, ibid., 137 Meir Hildesheimer, The German Language, ibid., 134-140. Shelomoh Sofer, Iggerot Sofrim, note 30 above, section on Kitvei ha-Ketav Sofer, 2. R. Hillel Lichtenstein, Responsa Beit Hillel (Satu-Mare, 1908), # 34, 35, 39. On the other hand, R. Schick and Ketav Sofer maintained that Hatam . Sofer objected only to preaching in German by those who were irreligious. According to these disciples, R. Sofer had no objection to preaching in German by religious preachers, especially if use of this language would have greater appeal to congregants. Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitaheh, note 48 . above, 86-88. In assessing the reliability of R. Lichtensteins claim, we must remember that he was less than twenty-five years old when R. Sofer died. We may surmise that on these sensitive issues, R. Sofer would express his views more freely and clearly to his older students, and particularly, his son. They were on much more intimate terms with him and had known him well for a far longer time than had R. Lichtenstein. Moreover, Hatam Sofer criticized R. . Lichtenstein for not attending his weekly Torah classes in which Hatam Sofer . used to expound on the history and position of Jews in the Diaspora, and where the issues of secular learning and preaching in German were likely to come up. R. Lichtenstein, who, initially, absented himself noticeably from these classes, was, therefore, less likely to grasp the nuances of his masters position on these issues. R. Lichtenstein, however, took this criticism to heart, and thereafter attended all of these classes. See R. H. F.Plaut, Likkutei Haver Ben Hayyim, note 28 above, 236a; Z. H. Heller, Beit Hillel ha-Shalem, . . (Muncacs, 1893), 6. R. Lichtensteins son-in-law, R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger was the main
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59. 60.
61.
62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67.
68.
69. 70.
propagandist who was responsible for popularizing the view that Hatam . Sofer was an extreme zealot, violently opposed to secular studies and preaching in German. R. Schlesinger, however, was only two and one-half years old when Hatam Sofer died, and never heard his opinions personally. He is, . therefore, not a primary source for Hatam Sofers views. . Responsa Hatam Sofer, H.M.:# 197. . . Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitah eh, note 48 above, 49. R. Eisenstadter . studied with Hatam Sofer even before the latter became Rabbi of Pressburg . and continued to study with him for many years thereafter. He and R. Schick are generally considered to be R. Sofers two principal disciples. R. Eisenstadter is one of the main sources cited by R. Schlesinger to buttress his claims that Hatam Sofer forbade secular studies and speaking in German. . R. Yeh ezkel Landau (author of Noda be-Yehudah) held a similar view. . Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, N.H. Weisel ve-Rabbanei Dorom, in Mehkarim be-Toledot Am Yisrael ve-Erez Yisrael, ed. E. Gilboa (Haifa, 1970), . . 254; Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer Toward Moses . Mendelssohn, footnote 33 above, 173-174, f.n. 81. Both Samet and Hildesheimer cite numerous sources to substantiate this. R. Naftali Z vi . Yehudah Berlin, Nez iv, of Volozhin had a similar view. See Hanna Katz, . Mishnat ha-Nez iv (Jerusalem, 1990), 114. . Derashot Hatam Sofer 1, note 16 above, 112a in Hebrew pagination, 225 in . English pagination. Derashot Hatam Sofer 1, Ibid., 80b, 81b (162-164 in English pagination). . Responsa Hatam Sofer, 6:#86 . ,hcc ohsnuk ktrah htpur kfu vtuprv ,unfj arsn ubk iht ohcrv ubh,ubuugca / / / Hidushei Hatam Sofer, Hulin 61b. ohnfju ohnutk arsn . . . Moshe Sofer, Torat Moshe Tlitai 2 (1913), 49a. Derashot Hatam Sofer I, note 16 above, 23a (45 in English pagination). This . conclusion resembles his view that in the Land of Israel, not only [is it permitted to teach ones children how to] work the land, but [one may also] teach them other occupational skills, for the settlement and honor of the Land of Israel, so that people will not say that there cannot be found in all of the Land of Israel a shoemaker, builder, and so on, and they will bring them from far-away lands. Accordingly, teaching all occupations [in the Land of Israel] is a miz vah. See his Torat Moshe, Shofetim, 160 (36 in newer edi. tions); Ben Zion Strasser, Daat Hatam Sofer, I (New York, 1996), 13. . Derashot Hatam Sofer I, note 16 above, 51b (102 in the English pagination). . R. Sofer also indicates here that mastery of secular subjects by Jewish Torah scholars avoids profaning the Name of God, and prevents non-Jews from saying that, unlike them, Torah scholars are ignorant of secular knowledge. R. Sofer does not offer an explanation here of how secular learning would be acquired by ordinary Jews, who do not merit having Gods secrets revealed to them, nor does he explain how those who are not prophets or unusually learned in Torah would learn secular wisdom. Nor does he deal with the widespread ignorance of secular learning among many Jews who have devoted time and effort to study of Torah. This phenomenon appears to contradict his view that secular knowledge may readily be obtained from Torah study. Derashot Hatam Sofer, note 16 above, Derashah for the eighth day of Tevet, . 100b; 202 in English pagination. Talmud, Sotah, 49b; see also the commentary of Rashi and Meiri ad loc. See
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Ramban, who was much admired by Hatam Sofer, and who lauds the acqui. sition of other wisdoms in R. Yiz hak de-Min Aku in his Meirat Eynayim .. (Jerusalem, 1993), 53-54, Parshat Noah. . Menahot 99b; See also Talmud Berakhot 35b to a similar effect. . aursv kg ohchan iht, cited in R. Yiz hak b. Yehuda ha-Levi, (13th century), .. Paaneah Raza (Amsterdam, 1757), 7a . Derashot Hatam Sofer 1, note 16 above, 27a ( 53 in English pagination). . Derashot Hatam Sofer 1, Ibid., footnote, 100b, 101a ( 202-203 in English pag. ination). This derashah was printed from lecture notes by a student, and as such, it is not as authoritative as R. Sofers own words would have been. This is especially true here where the students lecture notes are not consistent with words penned by the lecturer himself in other sermons. Additionally, a class lecture does not constitute a halakhic ruling given for public consumption. Lectures to a close circle of students are sometimes more exploratory in the views expressed, than halakhic rulings. Additionally, students might be held to a stricter code of conduct than is required or expected from members of the general public. Moshe Sofer, Sefer ha-Zikkaron, note 3 above, 119; B.S. Hamburger, Zikhronot u-Mesorot, note 43 above, 280. R. Akiva Yosef Schlesisnger, Lev ha-Ivri (Levov, 1869), Second Introduction, 5-6; Idem, Naar Ivri (Vienna 1903), 16b; see Hillel Lichtenstein, Responsa Beit Hillel, note 58 above: #34, 35, 39. Responsa Hatam Sofer, 2 E.H.:# 11. The eighteen matters are discussed in . the Talmud, Shabbat, 13b and thereafter. These had been issued during the Second Temple era, nearly two thousand years earlier, and included prohibitions designed to discourage assimilation Responsa Hatam Sofer, H.M.:# 197 . Joles subsequently supported the Russian governments educational program in 1842, drafted by Max Lilienthal, to compel all Jewish children to study secular subjects. Hatam Sofer, as late as 1831, highly praised Joles. R. . Sofer called him, a great man, who is fit to be a kohen gadol (Joles was a kohen). Responsa Hatam Sofer, H.M. #205; See also Kovez Teshuvot Hatam . . . Sofer (Jerusalem, 1973):# 44, 64; Teshuvot ha-H adashot H atam Sofer . . (Jerusalem, 1949):# 33; M.A.Z. Kinstilicher, Ha-Hatam Sofer u-Benei Doro ( . Benai Brak, 1993), 132. See also R. Sofers letter to Joles, in which R. Sofer describes some of his (R. Sofers) personal predilections. Shmuel ha-Kohen Weingarten, Ha-H atam Sofer ve-Talmidav (Jerusalem, 1945), 45; Yaakov . Katz, Kavvim le-Biografia Shel ha-H atam Sofer, in Katz, Halakhah ve. Kabbalah (Jerusalem, 1984), 366, f.n. 85. Rappaport wrote works of biblical criticism, published articles in Reform publications, and was called a heretic by the sage R. Yosef Shaul Natanson. In 1816, he was placed under a ban in Lemberg, with the approval of the sage, R. Yaakov Orenstein. Bruria David, The Dual Role of Rabbi Z vi Hirsch . Chayes: Traditionalist and Maskil, unpublished doctoral thesis (Columbia University, 1971), 387, 396, 398, 405, 445, 446. Hatam Sofers letters on . behalf of Rappaport were written at the request of R. Sofers friend, Shelomoh Rosenthal. The latter, a noted maskil, had studied with R. Mordechai Benet of Nicholsburg, and was on friendly terms and corresponded with Eliezer Lieberman, a prominent Reformer. Lieberman was the author of Or Nogah, essays in defense of religious reforms, published in
71. 72. 73. 74.
75. 76. 77.
78. 79.
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82. 83. 84.
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1818. This work was at the center of the polemics regarding the establishment of a Reform Temple in Hamburg. Lieberman and his works were the focus of many attacks by R. Sofer. Rosenthal also supported Aharon Horiner, a radical Reformer, until Horiner came out in favor of moving the Sabbath to Sunday. R. Sofer attacked Horiner bitterly and repeatedly. M.A.Z. Kinstlicher, Ha-Hatam Sofer, note 79 above, 370; M. Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, . note 1 above: 58, 361. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, # 56. A lay scholar in Tarnopol, Mendel Mohr, wrote a sharply critical letter to R. Sofer, and threatened to publish a pamphlet attacking him. Y.Y. Greenwald, Oz ar Nehmad (New York, 1942), . . 86; B. David, The Dual Role, note 80 above, 405, citing Shimon Bichler, Shay le-Moreh (Budapest, 1895), 46. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, section on letters, # 56; M. Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, note 1 above, 67. Moshe Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, note 1 above, 55-73. His amicable relations and even friendships with maskilim are also detailed in Moshe Samet, HaShinuyim be-Sidrei Beth ha-Kenesset, note 1 above, 373-377, 390-394. See Responsa Hatam Sofer, O.H .:# 54,79,208. R. Hayes was very close with . . . Nahman Krochmal, a leading maskil. He also corresponded with numerous Galician maskilim, including, Shimshon Bloch, Hirsh Pinelis, and Jacob Reifman, let alone, S.Y. Rappaport, with whom he later quarreled. Although he rejected and wrote strongly against Reform, R. Hayes corresponded with . Abraham Geiger, a champion of Reform, and with Leopold Zunz. The latter was a maskil who sympathized with the spirit of Reform (but not with all of its acts), and was the founder of Jewish Science (Wissenschaft des Judentums). R. Hayes also tried to establish continuing contact with . Zehariah Frankel and Julius Fuerst. He kept in close touch with, and had the highest regard for, Isaac Marcus Jost, a leading Reformer and a noted bible critic. As late as 1848, R. Hayes published lavish praise (which he had written . a number of years earlier) of Israel Jacobson, who founded the first Reform congregations in Germany. R. Hayes called him a prince in Israel, perfect . man, and honored sage. This appears to be going much further than called for by his principle (see his Kol Sifrei II, 976) not to attack, personally, those with whom he disagreed. For citations to all of the above, see B. David, The Dual Role, note 80 above, particularly, 50-54, 421, 424. R. Hayes was referred to as a maskil by R. Yosef Shaul Natanson, and as . one of the Reformers by R. Mordekhai Yaffe. See Y.S. Natanson, Responsa Shoel u-Meshiv, (5th edition, New York, 1953):#26; Mordechai G. Yaffe, Tekheilet Mordekhai (Jerusalem), 111. See B. David, The Dual Role, note 80 above, 442. R. Natanson did, however, refer respectfully to R. Hayes in a . number of places. See Meir Hershkowitz, Maharaz H ayut, (Jerusalem, . . 1972), 448, note 515. R. Sofer referred to Heidenheim as the glorious wise man, our master and teacher etc. see Kovez Teshsuvot (Jerusalem, 1973), #12, 48; Responsa . H atam Sofer, H .M.:#77; O.H .#9; Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of The . . . Hatam Sofer Toward Moses Mendelssohn, footnote 33 above, 171; M.A.Z. . Kinstlicher Ha-Hatam Sofer, note 79 above, 90-91. . Jacobson subsequently became the first one to conduct Reform prayer services in Zessen and then in Berlin, and was one of the foremost champions of Reform. See Michael A. Meyer, A Response to Modernity, note 1, above.
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R. Heidenheim also included a preface by a noted Reformer, Michael Creisenach, in Siddur le-Benei Yisrael (Roedelheim, 1831), the siddur Heidenheim published. Creisenach founded a boys school in Mainz that was conducted according to Reform principles. He later became a teacher in Frankfort, where he conducted Reform services, which were widely emulated elsewhere. Heidenheims approval of the reforms of Kassel are set forth in his foreword to Menahem Mendel Steinhardts Divrei Iggeret (Roedelheim, 1812). Steinhardt was one of the three principal directors of the Consistory of Westphalia that promulgated the first Jewish reforms. See M. Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, 67, and id., Ha-Shinuyim, 349. Heidenheim also published the Pentateuch with Moses Mendelssohns German translation. Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer, note 33 above, 171, foot. note 77. Likkutei Teshsuvot, note 17 above, haskamot section, #13, p.4. The second edition of Blochs book carried an approbation by R. Moshe Kunitz, a wellknown rabbi-maskil. Perhaps, not realizing the true extent of the proposed reforms, Kunitz contributed to the Reform book of essays, Nogah Z edek, in . defense of the Reform Temple in Hamburg. His co-author was the radical Reformer, Aharon Horiner. Eliezer Lieberman was the editor, and author of a companion volume, Or Nogah. Moshe Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, 355; Meyer Waxman, History of Jewish Literature, III (New York, 1960), 409. Consequently, Blochs book had the unusual distinction of carrying approbations by both Hatam Sofer and by a contributor to a leading Reform polemical work bit. terly attacked by R. Sofer. See Moshe Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, 358, 360, 361, 390. R. Mintz initially supported Aharon Horin, who became a zealous Reformer, and he wrote an approbation for one of Horins books. R. Sofer, who was aware of R. Mintz relations with Horin, requested R. Mintz to prevail upon Horin to recant. R. Mintz complied. M. Samet, ibid. See Bruria David, The Dual Role, note 80 above, 445 and M. Samet, HaShinuyim, 355. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, section on letters, #20, p. 84-85; M. Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, note 1 above, 375. Rabbi Hertzfeld gave his approbation to the 1831-1833 edition of Moses Mendelssohns Biur. R. Sofers children and disciples also reflect his ambivalence in their vividly contrasting versions of his views. On the one hand, his son, Ketav Sofer, and his chief disciple, R. Moshe Schick, who studied with Hatam Sofer in earlier . years, report a more liberal attitude. On the other hand, his disciple R. Hillel Lichtenstein and other respected disciples who studied with Hatam Sofer in . his last years, detail an extremely stringent view. It is possible that Hatam . Sofers views changed over time. Both groups may, therefore, have a basis for their contrasting claims regarding Hatam Sofers attitudes, and this may pos. sibly explain his seemingly ambivalent conduct. The ambivalence in Hatam Sofers approach may explain why he is . regarded as a revered role model by German Jews, adherents of R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, who value secular studies. At the same time, R. Sofer is venerated by pious Hungarian and Polish Hasidim for whom secular learning is . anathema. I am indebted to Rabbi Shmuel Singer for this insight. It is also possible that neither group is aware of the full range of Hatam Sofers . expressions on this subject.
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92. One scholar, Dr. Moshe Samet, who has devoted many years to studying Hatam Sofers acts and works, concluded, There is no doubt that one can . discern in the personality of Rabbi Moshe Sofer internal struggles, hesitations, doubts and even internal contradictions. These were possibly caused by the time, that is, whether earlier or later in his life; possibly caused by place, that is, the city or the events. . . . Nevertheless, even the perspectives which he expressed in his later years, when the spread of Reform became more troubling to him, do not seem to be consistent and show considerable ambivalence. Moshe Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, note 1: 66 ff. For a similar opinion, see Michael K. Silber, The Emergence of Ultra- Orthodoxy, note 1 above, 29-30. Some of the examples citied by Samet are: in 1810, Hatam Sofer rejected . the notion of placing a ban on Reform Jews (Responsa Hatam Sofer O.H .:# . . 122). In or about 1819, however, R. Sofer said that if he could, he would separate the Reformers from the Jewish community and forbid intermarriage with them. Responsa 6:# 89. This was the same stand that he took with regard to followers of Shabbetai Z evi. See Responsa Y.D.:# 322. But in 1838, . one year before his death, he turned down the idea of separating Orthodox Jews from others. Responsa 6:#83. He also tolerated the existence of a separate minyan in Pressburg by Reformers and maskilim, provided that they did not deviate from traditional halakhic norms regarding prayer. Shelomoh Sofer, Hut ha-Meshulash, note 12 above; Michael Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, . note 9 above, 42). Samet also cites Hatam Sofers seemingly ambivalent attitudes toward . Hasidut and Hasidim. While friendly in some respects, he criticized them for . . a number of practices, including a stinging criticism of a noted Hasidic rebbi . in Hungary, R. Yitzchak Taub of Kalev. See S. Sofer, Iggerot Sofrim, note 30 above, 38-39. He also wrote in a letter to the effect that the talmid hakham . was trapped between Hasidim on his right who profaned, and apikorsut . (scoffing) on his left. Similarly, Samet claims that R. Sofer appears to have had ambivalent attitudes with regard to the Land of Israel. More strikingly, despite Hatam Sofers famous slogan, The children of Israel go forth with . the hand of Rama (Responsa O.H. 1:#103, E.H. 1:#98, 130), he did not rule . in accordance with the Rama in a number of instances. Also, R. Sofer disagreed with those who felt that a decisor (posek) may tilt the Halakhah whichever way he wishes. On the other hand, he felt that We do not have even one clear rule. Derashot ha-Hatam Sofer 3, note 16 above, (Derashah . le-Rosh ha-Shanah for the year 1790), and M. Samet, Kavvim, note 1 above, 72. Samet also claims that although R. Sofer was against leniencies for his generation, he issued a number of notably lenient rulings. It has even been claimed that many of R. Sofers halakhic rulings seem inconsistent. However, the claimed halakhic inconsistencies can usually be resolved by resort to purely halakhic principles. See, e.g., Yisakhar Dov Goldstein, Likkutei Hearot Al ha-H atam Sofer, (Jerusalem and Brooklyn, . 1969). Goldstein adduces resolutions for numerous problems raised with regard to R. Sofers halakhic rulings, including those that seem to be inconsistent. Also relevant, I would argue, is Hatam Sofers halakhic philosophy, as . well as the time, circumstances, place and the particulars involved in each halakhic ruling, as discussed in the text below. This is true of every great posek. Accordingly, his statements and actions may have been affected by the
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context, and by the goals he sought to accomplish with each ruling. So, too, he had to take into account the ill effects that he sought to avoid in each instance, given the particular circumstances of each case. Michael K. Silber, The Historical Experience, note 1 above, 113. Examples are R. Wolf Boskowitz, one of the leading talmudists of that time, author of Seder Mishneh, R. Shimon Oppenheimer (a member of the Pest beit din), R. Azriel Brill, a member of the Pest beit din, R. Moshe Perls, head of a yeshiva, and R. Barukh Jeitteles, the undisputed head of the Prague Haskalah who was the head of a yeshiva, as well. M. Silber, The Historical Experience, note 1 above, 113-115.). R. Oppenheimer composed a book on astronomy, and R. Brill had previously served as a teacher in the state public school, the normalschule. R. Yehezkel Landau (perhaps, the leading Torah sage of his era, author . of Noda be-Yehudah), had a high regard for secular learning, as indicated by his issuance of numerous approbations to secular works on mathematics, geography, philosophy, history and grammar. Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, N.H. Weisel ve-Rabbanei Dorom, note 61 above, 233, 254. In 1782, R. Landau cooperated in the founding, by maskilim in Prague, of a Jewish school in which the students also studied secular subjects. R. Landau insisted, however, that Torah studies should be pursued first and receive primary emphasis. Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, ibid., 254; Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude, footnote 33 above, 173-174, f.n. 81. Both cite numerous sources. To the list of prominent rabbis who lauded secular learning, one should add, R. Zarakh Eidlitz, probably the most respected member of the beit din of R. Yehezkel Landau. Rabbi Eidlitz published works on trigonometry and . related subjects, e.g. Melekhet Makhshavah Al ha-Mispar ve-ha-H eshbon. . Leading Torah sages in that era and in immediately preceding generations pursued secular learning, (such as R. Elijah, the noted Gaon of Vilna, R. Avraham Abele Pasviler (who served as head of the beit din of Vilna for thirty years), R. Yonatan Eibschutz and many others. See A.M. Schreiber, Hashkafato Shel ha-Gra, note 17 above: 20. Strange as it may seem to current sensibilities, R. Yehezkel Landau was eulogized by Yosef Efrati, a leading . maskil of that time, as rushing into the welcoming arms of Moshe Mendelssohn in the world to come! M. Silber, The Historical Experience, note 1 above, 115. Accordingly, it is understandable that a persons pursuit of secular learning did not automatically engender distrust, estrangement, and separation from him by Orthodox Jews. See M. Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, note 1 above: 378. These maskilim, whose letters were included in the collection, were most notably, R. Shmuel Bernstein, a rabbi-maskil of Amsterdam, and R. Moshe Tuvia Zundheimer, a co-worker of Wolf Heidenheim. R. Bernstein was a great talmid hakham, yet also a maskil, who contributed . to Ha-Measef, a noted Haskalah journal. He was also, for a while, on cordial terms with Israel Jacobson, a pioneer Reformer. M. Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, note 1 above, 378. The latter had headed the Reform Consistory in Kassel, and subsequently instituted the first Reformed religious services in Zessen, and then in Berlin. Responsa Hatam Sofer, E.H. 2:#139; M. Samet, ibid., 378, 382. .
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98. See M. Samet, ibid., 373. 99. Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitah eh, note 48 above, 92 ff.; Michael K. . Silber, The Emergence of Ultra-Orthodoxy, note 1 above, 37-40. 100. Yaakov Katz, ibid., 139 ff; Michael K. Silber, ibid., 43-44. 101. See e.g., Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, # 82, p. 73, 75. 102. Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer, note 33 above:162. 173. Similarly, a number of Hasidic leaders, including R. Nahman of Breslav, . . R. Z vi Hirsch of Dinev, R, Hayyim of Tchernowitz and R. Horowitz brother, . . R. Shmuel Shmelke, of Nicholsburg, were vehemently opposed to the Biur. See, e.g., Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 255-256. 103. For details, see Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude, note 33 above:182-186. This casts grave doubt upon claims (e.g., in the Reform organ, Orient 32, 1840) that Hatam Sofer placed a ban on Mendelssohns works. Hildesheimer, . ibid., also makes the startling claim that a complete set of Mendelssohns Biur was contained in the library of R. Josef Zvi Duschinsky, a Hungarian rabbi, the head of the beit din of the Edah ha-Haredit of Jerusalem for many years. . He had a reputation as an extreme zealot. 104. In taking this approach not to attack Mendelssohn directly, Hatam Sofer . seems to have followed the course taken by his forerunners, R. Pinh as . Horowitz, his teacher, and the eminent R. Yehezkel Landau. The latter two . refrained from publicly denouncing Mendelssohn directly, although both denounced his disciple and co-worker, Naftali Hertz Weisel. Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 240-244, 246-247. 105. Their high regard, even esteem, for Moses Mendelssohn is evidenced by the admiring letters that the sages, R. Yaakov Emden and R. Yehonatan Eibschutz, sent to Mendelssohn. Y. Elbogen (ed.), Ketavim Ivriyim 3, Kol Kitvei Moshe Mendelssohn 16 (Berlin, 1929), letters Nos. 2, 109. Moreover, more than eighty rabbis from all over Europe subscribed to purchase Mendelssohns work, Netivat ha-Shalom, commonly called the Biur. (In addition to Mendelssohn, parts of the Biur were written by Shelomoh Dubnow, Naftali Hertz Wessely (Weisel), Hertz Homberg, and Aharon Yarolslav. See Peretz Sandler, Ha-Biur la-Torah, Jerusalem, 1941, 180, 181, 216). The subscribers included renowned Torah sages, heads of yeshivot, heads and members of beit dins of prominent cities, authors of prominent Talmudic works, and community rabbis. Among them were the following: R. Nathan Adler (subscribed to Dubnows editon), R. Zeckel Wormser (known as Baal Shem of Michelstadt), R. Shmuel Shtrashun of Vilna (Rashash), R. Yosef Zekharya Stern, of Shavli; R. David Zinzheim of Strassburg, France (eulogized by R. Sofer, Derashot 1, note 16 above,162167), R. Yaakov Etlinger (Arukh le-Ner). In addition, Ktav Sofer and members of his beit din subscribed to Mendelssohns German translation of Shir ha-Shirim, with a commentary by Samuel Deutschlander, which referred to the Biur in a number of places. See also P. Sandler, ibid. For details of the above, see Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn in Ninteenth-Century Rabbinical Literature, Proceedings of the American Society for Jewish Research (1988), 79, and 106. See in general, M. Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 233-257. Mendelssohns associate and co-author of the Biur, N.H. Wessley, was also highly praised by many prominent Rabbis, although he was sharply attacked by R. Yehezkel Landau and R. Eliezer Flekeles. The latter subse.
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quently praised him. R. Shmuel L. Bernstein, of Amsterdam, lauded him in his letter, which was included in the Eleh Divrei Ha-Berit collection. Also, R. Yisrael Lifshitz (in his commentary, Tiferet Yisrael to the Mishnah, Avot 3:11). M. Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 246. R. Yaakov Ettlinger, (author of Arukh le-Ner), quotes him in his approbation to Wessely, Ohelot Naftali (Berlin, 1842) and R. David Zvi Hoffman cited him as authority for a halakhic ruling. Responsa Melamed le-Hoil, Y.D.:# 64, p. 62 (Berlin, 1926). See also Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer . Toward Moses Mendelssohn, note 33 above:159, footnote 59. Additionally, Mendelssohns Biur and, particularly, the third volume, Va-Yikra (authored by his associate, Wessely), were cited with approval and used by numerous prominent Torah sages, including those in Lithuania. There are even claims that R. Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna, regarded as the epitome of piety and religious conservatism, was extremely fond of the Biur, especially the volume of Va-Yikra. Kalman Schulman, Toledot R. N.H.V, in Wesseleys Divrei Shalom ve-Emet, (Warsaw, 1886), footnote on p. 15. Schulmans claim must be treated with caution since he associated with Haskalah groups that tried to buttress support for Mendelssohn by claiming the support of R. Eliyahu. Similarly, the historian Heinrich Graetz claimed that he, himself, had seen a letter written by R. Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna, in which he defended Mendelssohn. M. Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 248. Given Graetz well known antipathy to Orthodox Judaism, and because this letter is not extant, Graetz claim cannot be relied upon. Many of R. Eliyahus closest disciples and associates, and others who were in frequent contact with him, subscribed to, and wrote praises of Shelomoh Dubnows edition of the Biur on Bereishit and Shemot. (These volumes were identical with the earlier Berlin edition, except that Mendelssohns German translation was deleted and replaced by the Aramaic translation, Targum Onkelos. Dubnow states this explicitly in his introduction to his notebook of subscribers, and it emerges clearly from many of the approbations.) Dubnows notebook and the subscriptions are reprinted in David Kamenetzky, Haskamateihem Shel Gedolei ha-Rabbanim laH umashim Shel Rebbi Shelomoh Dubnow, Yeshurun 8 (New York, 2001), . 713, 716, and 726-727. Those in Lithuania who subscribed to and wrote praises of Dubnows edition of the Biur included R. Eliyahu of Vilnas closest disciples and associates: R. Hayyim Volozhiner and his brother R. Shlomo Zalman Volozhiner, . R. Noah Mindis, R. Shmuel Avigdor (the Rabbi of Vilna), R. David Broida, R. Dov Ber Trivash, R. Moshe bar Yehudah Leib, R. Yisrael Rappaport (the four leading dayyanim of Vilna), R. Moshe Meisels, R. Binyamin Rivlin, R. Yosef Pesselis, and numerous other prominent rabbis and leaders of the Jewish community in Vilna. In addition to the foregoing, hundreds of people in Lithuania, including many prominent rabbis, subscribed to Dubnows edition of Mendelssohns Biur to Bereishit and Shemot. See David Kamenetzky, ibid., 711, footnotes 2 and 3, and 713-729. Moreover, the Biur was utilized until about 1896 in the Yeshivah Ez . Hayyim in Jerusalem, founded and managed by R. Yosef Zundel of Salants . son-in-law, R. Shmuel Salant, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, in the first paragraph above of this note:130, note 160. R. Hayim Kanievsky, a noted contemporary talmudic
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scholar in Israel with a reputation for zealotry, advised me in a recent note that he had it on good authority that many prominent talmudic scholars had examined the Biur on Va-Yikra and could find no fault whatsoever with it. 106. His approbation, and that of R. Yaakov Z vi Meklenberg (author of Ha-Ketav . ve-ha-Kabbalah) were issued to the edition (Berlin 18311833), which bore the title Mekor Hayyim. R. Egers approbation contains a formula, common. ly used in rabbinical approbations, that his policy is not to grant approbations. Nevertheless, he states that he is subscribing to purchase the work, and addresses the editor, Jeremiah Heineman, with laudatory titles. Moreover, R. Egers language seems supportive of the work. R. Eger not only subscribed to the Biur, but also read it closely. This can be seen from his disagreement with Mendelssohns translation of a biblical verse, which R. Eger cites in his H idushei R. Akiva Eger to the Talmud, Meggilah 16a (I am indebted to . Professor S. Z. Leiman for this reference) and his favorable citation of Mendelssohn in a letter (Jahrbuch der Judisch-Literarischen Gesellschaft 3, 1905, 76). See also, M. Samet, M. Mendelssohn, N.H. Weisel ve-Rabbanei Dorom, note 61 above, 256. According to R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger (Lev ha-Ivri 1, 81b-82a.), R. Eger was the well-known rabbi referred to by R. Sofer, when he expressed unhappiness with that rabbis support of the Biur. This took place in R. Sofers discussions with R. Moshe Schick. See M. Hildesheimer, The Attitude, note 33 above, 166. Two of R. Egers prominent disciples, R. Eliyahu Guttmacher of Greiditz and R. Z vi Hirsch . Kalischer also had a high regard for Mendelssohn and cited him in their works. A third disciple, R. Yosef Zundel of Salant, owned the Biur and appended his handwritten notes to it. (This volume can be seen in the National Library in Jerusalem). See Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, note 105 above, 83, footnote 14 and p. 130, f.n. 160. 107. R. Landau wrote of Shelomoh Dubnows edition of Mendelssohns Biur to Bereishit and Shemot (large portions, and possibly all, of which were written by Dubnow), that it was a delightful work, which he called, Biur, a selection of pearls, sayings from the great commentators of the Torah, and he added much in great measure of his own. . . . R. Landau states his awareness that the Dubnow edition was a reprint of the earlier Berlin edition. The text of R. Landaus approbation appears in David Kamenetzky, Haskamateihem Shel Gedolei ha-Rabbanim, note 105 above, 719. See also Yehoshua Mondshein, Haskamot Shetukot mi-Volozhin u-mi-Vilna, Or Yisrael 4 (1999), 16. R. Landau was opposed to Mendelssohns German translation because that translation was intended, and was being used, to teach young children. Since the translation was in a very deep German, it was incomprehensible to children not familiar with the German language. Accordingly, much of the teaching time was spent to teach children the German language so that they could understand the translation, with little time left for Torah studies. In addition, Mendelssohns translation made our Torah into a maid that helped the German language to come into more widespread use. Moreover, the translation would give Jews access to German literature. This would adversely affect their religious observance. (These thoughts appear in R. Landaus approbation to the translation of the Torah into a simpler German by Zussman Geluga, Prague, 1785, and in his aforementioned approbation to Shelomoh Dubnows edtion of the Biur. The same thought appears in R. Landaus Z lah, Berakhot, 28). See also Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, N.H. . .
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Weisel ve-Rabbanei Dorom, note 61 above, 242 and 254. Followers of Mendelssohn widely believed, apparently in error, that R. Yehezkel Landau had issued a ban on the Biur work, and was vehemently . opposed to Mendelssohn and the Biur. The various claims of a ban on the Biur that was placed, or threatened, by R. Yehezkel Landau, are gathered and . refuted by Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 240-244. Moreover, R. Shmuel Landau, son of R. Yehezkel Landau, who succeed. ed his father as head of the Prague beit din, subscribed to the Biur and recommended it in a derashah. See Ahavat Z ion (Warsaw, 1881), derashah No. . 12; Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 241. Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, note 105 above, 102. It does not seem likely that R. Shmuel would have done this if his father were strongly opposed to Mendelssohn. Similarly, R. Yehezkel Landaus other son, Yaakov, . claimed that his father had defended Mendelssohn from people who expressed criticisms orally to him, and his third son, Yisrael, subscribed to the Biur. See R. Yaakov Landaus letter to the author, reproduced in the Introduction to Juda Jeitteles, Mavo ha-Lashon ha-Aramit (Prague, 1803). Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 102. Yaakovs claim is confirmed by Avigdor Levi of Glogau. In a letter sent from Prague in response to Moses Mendelssohns inquiry, Levi advised him that R. Landau had rejected all attacks on Mendelssohn. Avigdor Levi, Iggerot RMD 1 (Vienna, 1794),10b; M. Samet, M. Mendelssohn, note 61 above, 291. R. Yehezkel Landaus grandson, Moshe Landau, actually published the Biur in . 1836. Meir Hildesheimer, ibid. See, however, purported copies of three of R. Yehezkel Landaus letters . published in Yisrael Natan Heschel, Daatam Shel Gedolei ha-Dor beMilh amtam Neged ha-Maskil Naftli Hertz Weisel, Beit Aharon ve-Yisrael . 8:1(Brooklyn, New York, Tishrei-Heshvan 1993):162-163, and Beit Aharon . ve-Yisrael, Ibid., 8:3 (Shevat-Adar 1993): 123-125, and 126-127, 1993). These letters contain sharp criticisms that, because of their ambiguous wording, might be interpreted as directed at Mendelssohn, as well as his associate, Naftali Herz Wessely (Weisel). However, although they are claimed to be in R. Landaus handwriting, the copies are unsigned. Moreover, they contain extremely vile denunciations and name-calling that are not characteristic of R. Landau. In my opinion, the derogatory expressions in the letter seem to refer to Wessely, not to Mendelssohn. First of all, R. Landau refers to Mendelssohn respectfully in this letter, with the honorary title, R. (RMD is an acronym for R. Moshe Dessau. R. Landau never employs the title, R, for Wessely in these letters). This honorary title is completely out of place if the vile denunciations which follow immediately apply to Mendelssohn. Secondly, the biting, derogatory language is nearly identical with the language that R. Landau utilizes with reference to Wessely in his other two letters published by Heschel. The second letter (on p. 123), which deals directly with Wessely, again refers respectfully to Moses Mendelssohn. Nevertheless, R. Landau, in this letter, does appear to also attack Mendelssohn, albeit indirectly. R. Landau denounces requests made to governmental authorities to prosecute rabbis, and Mendelssohn is known to have approved of such action. (See, e.g., Heschel, Ibid.:123, note 19). Moreover, Wessely was a devoted disciple of Mendelssohn. The latter fully supported Wessely in his battles with the numerous rabbis who attacked him
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after he sharply criticized rabbis in his pamphlet, Divrei Shalom ve-Emet (Berlin, circa, 1782). Attacks on Wessely can, therefore, be understood as also censuring Mendelssohn. See also R. Landaus Derushei ha-Z lah , . . (Warsaw, 1799), No. 39. Additionally, there is also a report that R. Landau became so agitated at the mention of Mendelssohn that his hat fell off his head. Das Rabbinat Prage Jecheskel Landau, in Paschelas Israelitischer Illustrierter Volks Kalender 32 (Prague, 1884), 94-96. (I am indebted to Professor Shnayer Z. Leiman for this reference.) Definitive conclusions regarding R. Yehezkel Landaus view of Mendelssohn must, therefore, await . the authentication of the above letters, further investigation and, perhaps, the uncovering of additional writings of R. Landau. 108. Vienna edition, 1818. It is noteworthy that neither R. Eger, R. Mecklenburg, nor R. Benet mentioned the name, Mendelssohn, nor the title, Biur, in their approbations. R. Benet was also reported to have been very fond of this work, and knew it well. See Yaakov Avraham Benet, Toldot Adoni Avi MHR Mordechai Benet (Offen, 1832), 22; Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, 256; A.H. Weiss, Zikhronot, note 41 above, 36; Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, note 105 above, 94. R. Benet also gave approbations for a number of works of Hertz Homberg, a radical Reformer, who wrote the last volume of the Biur to Devarim. M. Hildesheimer, ibid., 90; and id., The Attitude, note 33 above, 74, 175. 109. Responsa Melamed le-Hoil, Y.D. (Berlin, 1926):# 64, p. 62. See also Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude of the Hatam Sofer Toward Moses Mendelssohn, . note 33 above, 159, footnote 59. 110. R. Hirsch felt that had Mendelssohn completed his work, the Reform movement might never have come into being. R. Hirsch termed Mendelssohn, one of the noblest sons of Israel and a strictly religious Jew, and yet . . . brilliant and highly esteemed as the German Plato. R. Azriel Hildesheimer, founder of the Rabbinical Seminary and head of the Adat Israel community in Berlin, termed Mendelssohn the great worldly sage. He claimed that Mendelssohn was a loyal adherent of the Jewish religion, but that his disciples and children crudely distorted the essence of his philosophy. Mendelssohn, therefore, could not be held responsible for their actions. S. R. Hirsch, Iggerot Z afon (Jerusalem, 1952) Letter 18; Jeschurun (Frankfort, 1885), 833-834; . Mordechai Breuer, Modernity Within Tradition (New York, 1992), 58-59, 61, 71; Meir Hildesheimer, Moses Mendelssohn, note 105 above: 111-112. 111. Moreover, R. Mordechai Benet wrote a very laudatory letter to Mordechai Leidesdorfer, a leader of the Reform movement in Vienna, most of whose children had already converted to Christianity. M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 267, f.n. 129. 112. Its Rabbi, Isaac Noah Mannheim, had previously conducted Reform services in Copenhagen, with prayers recited in the vernacular, rather than in Hebrew, accompanied by music of Christians composers. 113. M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 46- 47. 114. M. Silber, ibid. 115. M. Silber ibid., 47. 116. Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera Shelo Nitaheh, note 48 above, 53-55. In fact, howev. er, the movement originally appears to have been, in general, much more moderate than the German Reform movement, and was somewhat comparable to the Jewish Conservative movement in the United States.
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117. Responsa Hatam Sofer, E.H., # 11. Hatam Sofer also called him, his exalted . . eminence, may he live long. . . . May God bless you and us with peace, blessings, and all good things, as appropriate for a respected lord [as you]. In contrast, however, Ketav Sofer, R. Sofers son, described Schwab as one who was not inwardly, as he appeared to be outwardly, ein tokho ke-baro. Shelomoh Sofer, Iggerot Sofer, note 30 above, section on letters of Ketav Sofer. 118. 102. M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 45. 119. M. Silber, ibid., 44. Dr. Moshe Samet has advised me that he once possessed a photostat of a maedenschule document that listed R. Sofer as a member of its Board of Trustees. 120. M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 45. Moreover, R. Sofer, in 1831, issued his approbation for the book, Benot Z ion, written by the schools head, . Lazer Horowitz, which dealt with the teaching of religion and ethics to girls. Hatam Sofer stated, I approve its publication with joy. M. Silber, ibid. . 121. S. Sofer, Hut ha-Meshulash, note 12 above, 95-96. . 122. Vienna, 1829. See M.Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 46. 123. After Hatam Sofers death, his son, R. Avraham Binyamin Sofer, praised . Oppenheim lavishly. He called him, crown of the elders, the outstanding rabbi, this sage who has acquired wisdom, who draws waters from the well dug by the nobles of the Torah, who is endowed with sharpness and good sense. This praise may have been related to the fact that Oppenheim, an influential community leader, had encouraged the selection of R. Avraham Binyamin Sofer as Rabbi to succeed his father. M. Silber, ibid., 46. The diverse friendships and activities of Shelomoh Rosenthal also exemplify the complex web of amiable relations that sometimes existed between maskilim, Orthodox rabbis, and Reformers in that era. Rosenthal was on extremely friendly terms with R. Sofer and in frequent correspondence with him. Yet, the same time, he was also on friendly terms and corresponded with Eliezer Lieberman, one of the most prominent Reform leaders. In 1834, Rosenthal wrote to R. Sofer and advised him, in all seriousness, to turn for help to a noted moderate Reform rabbi, Gavriel Ulllman. Rosenthal suggested that R. Sofer ask Ullman to prevent Aharon Horin, a radical Reformer, from coming to Pest to gather additional supporters for Reform. Rosenthal appeared to have no doubt that R. Sofer would seriously consider taking his advice. R. Sofer did, in fact, write to a maskil-rabbi, R. Moshe Mintz, and requested him to attempt to prevail on Horin to recant. R. Mintz, who was on friendly terms with R. Sofer, was also friendly with Horin, had supported him, and wrote an approbation for one of Horins books. Moshe Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, 358, 360, 361, 390; Responsa Hatam Sofer 6:#93. . 124. M. Silber, ibid, 39-40. 125. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, p.109. This letter was, in fact, not included by R. Sofers children when they published his Responsa. 126. Responsa Noda be-Yehudah, 2nd edition, O.H.:# 99. R. Landau felt, that on . the contrary, it was desirable to publicize leniencies at a time when many people commonly violated religious laws. Emphasizing prohibitions would drive them further away from Judaism. 127. For example, Rambam rules explicitly that one who claims that the prohibition of eating the meat of a fowl together with milk is biblical, rather than rabbinic, violates the aforementioned precept. Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 2:5.
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128. R. Z vi Hersh Hayes, Kol Sifrei Maharaz Hayes (reprinted Jerusalem, 1958), . . . . section on Darkei Horaah, footnote on p. 270. R. Hayes did not also respond . that R. Sofers position might constitute a violation, in spirit if not in letter, of the prohibition regarding vfkvf tka vru,c ohbp vkdn, a deliberate misstatement of the Halakhah. Possibly, such a statement would have been disrespectful, since such violation calls for the extreme sanction of losing ones portion in the world to come (Avot 3:15). 129. Possibly another example of Hatam Sofers enlarging a prohibition is his . claim in Responsa Hatam Sofer, E.H., #11 that use of foreign languages and . the signing of ones name in Latin letters in documents were also included in the prohibitions called, the eighteen matters. These were enacted in the era of the Second Temple. Talmud, Shabbat 13b. Even R. Sofers premier disciple, R. Moshe Schick, disputed this view. Likkutei Teshuvot, note 17 above, p. 74. I have not been able to find any other posek who adopted Hatam Sofers posi. tion, except for one contemporary Hasidic Rebbi, R. Yekutiel Yehudah . Halberstam. Responsa Divrei Yaz iv, Y.D. (Union City, New Jersey, 1977), # 52. . Hatam Sofer claimed the existence of this prohibition in spite of the fact . that the Mishnah records the view that Greek letters were used in preference to Hebrew letters in labeling containers in the second Temple. Mishnah, Shekalim 3:2. If Greek letters were permitted to be used in the sacred precincts of the Temple, why should use of Latin letters be prohibited in civil documents? Moreover, the use of Greek letters in the Temple is even more striking since the prohibition of the eighteen matters was, according to some, enacted in order to combat Greek Hellenist influences. See Hershel Schachter, Mi-Peninei ha-Rav (New York, 2001), 155, citing the view of R. Joseph B. Soloveitchick. 130. The Talmud, Yevamot 89b states, . . . a beit din may smite and penalize [kill, even if this is] not according to the norms of the Torah; not, however, in order to violate the words of the Torah, but in order to make a fence about the Torah. It happened that a man rode on horseback on the Sabbath in the days of the Greeks, and he was brought before the beit din and they stoned him, not because he deserved this [penalty], but because the hour required it (Italics added). Similar language appears in the Talmud, Sanhedrin 27. These sections of the Talmud also authorized certain decision makers to rule contrary to Biblical law, in the areas of marriage and divorce. For similar rulings in other areas, see, e.g., Talmud, Avodah Zarah 13a and Tosefot, ad loc., s.v. Amar Abaye; Berakhot 16a, Tosefot, ad loc. s.v. Ve-H otam; Yevamot 88a, . Tosefot, ad loc. s.v. Mi-Tokh; Nazir 43b, Tosefot, ad loc. s.v. Ve-Hai; see also Kol Kitvei Z .H. Hayes, section Torat Neviim, Horaat Shaah, 29. . . 131. See, for example, Responsa H atam Sofer, O.H .:# 208. See also Tur and . . Shulhan Arukh H.M. section 2 and 388. For further exploration and applica. . tion in practice of this principle, permitting violations of Biblical law by authorized Jewish religious decision makers in many areas and times, see Aaron M. Schreiber, Positivism, Policy, Morality and Discretion In Jewish Law, Dinei Israel (Annual of Jewish Law, Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law) 19 (1997-1998):1, and Id, Jewish Law and Decision Making: A Study Through Time (Temple University Press, 1978). 132. The growth in the number of reform congregations and rabbis is suggested by the number of conferences of Reform Rabbis convened only a few years after Hatam Sofers death: in 1844, in Brunschweig; in 1845, in Frankfort; .
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and in 1846, in Breslau. 133. For further discussion of this topic, see Aaron M. Schreiber, Positivism, Policy, Morality and Discretion In Jewish Law, and idem, Jewish Law and Decision Making: A Study Through Time, note 131 above. 134. R. Sofer was not prepared to go further and to use this principle to kill, as in the Talmudic case set forth in Yevamot 89. Note, however, that even without resort to this emergency talmudic principle, other talmudic precedents exist for withholding disclosure of lenient rulings, or for ruling stringently. This is so even when not required to do so by ordinary halakhic norms. Talmud, Kiddushin 39a, Nedarim 23b, and Bava Mez ia 91b. . 135. R. Sofer may also have been guided by Rambams rationale and explanation of the aforementioned talmudic principle that permits authorized posekim to take drastic measures to meet the needs of the hour. Rambam wrote (Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Mamrim 2:4): Just as a physician amputates a persons hand or foot in order that the entire [person] may live, so many a beit din rule at all times to violate some of the laws [of the Torah] temporarily, in order that all of them may be preserved. R. Sofers position may well have been summarized by his disciple, R. Hillel Lichtenstein. The latter compared the Jewish community to a weak, sick, body [that] needs more care and protection than a healthy body. Hayyim Sofer, Kan Sofer (London, 1962-1963), letter no. 61, p. 54-56. . 136. It would be ironic if R. Sofer, indeed, battled Reform and Haskalah relying on a rationale that resembled their principal contentionnamely, that the times required changes in the laws of the Torah. If this view of Hatam Sofers policy motivations is correct, he would . then be a prime exemplar of a policy and goal-oriented posek. This would throw light on a puzzling phenomenon. On a number of occasions, Hatam . Sofer remarked to his son that it did not matter that the proofs that he cited in his responsa were weak. His decisions were correct irrespective of the proofs. Y. Nahshoni, Rabbenu Moshe Sofer, note 18 above, 147. These inci. dents are often understood to mean that Hatam Sofers rulings were inspired . by Divine guidance. Possibly, however, Hatam Sofer may have meant that . his rulings were designed to reach goals that he thought desirable in each particular case. Accordingly, the soundness of the legal proofs that he had cited to support his rulings did not affect the correctness of his decisions. Indeed, these proofs may even have been simply window dressing designed to make the rulings seem to be in accord with traditional legal principles. I am indebted to Rabbi Shmuel Singer for this insight. 137. See, e.g., Responsa Hatam Sofer E.H. 2: #11, where he wrote against signing . ones name in Latin letters in Jewish legal or religious documents, and claimed that speaking regularly in a foreign language was a violation of the eighteen matters that were prohibited from the time of the Second Temple era. 138. See his letter recommending Rabbi Herzfeld for a rabbinical position based, in part, on his mastery of German. Likkutei Teshuvot H.S., note 17 above, . section on letters, #20, p. 84. 139. For details, see Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude, note 33 above, 171, f.n. 77. 140. Moshe Samet, M. Mendelssohn, N.H. Weisel ve-Rabbanei Dorom, note 61 above, 247. 141. Kovez Teshuvot Hatam Sofer, note 79 above, # 48. . .
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142. For a vivid description of these battles, see M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 17. 143. Responsa Hatam Sofer 6:# 85. . 144. Yaakov ha-Levi Yaavez , Sefer ha-Mor Deror, note 12 above, 6; B.S. Ham. burger, Zikhronot, note 4 above, 306. Once, a visitor from Poland came to R. Sofers synagogue on a festival and sang a selection from Psalms and its translation into German by Mendelssohn. When R. Sofers disciples began to shout at the visitor and wanted to remove him from the bimah, R. Sofer scolded them, encouraged him to continue, and waited patiently until he finished. He thereafter invited him to dine at his table. Yaakov ha-Levi Yaavez , ibid. . 145. See the comments of R. Moshe Schick in his letter to R. Hillel Lichtenstein, reprinted in Likkutei Teshsuvot, note 17 above, 73-75; Ketav Yosher Divrei Emet, note 4 above. Hatam Sofers principle of cordiality may have moved him to write . approbations for secular books, when requested to do so by certain individuals. Thus, at the request of R. Yisrael Wahrmann, the rabbi of the city of Pest, he approved a book on geography by Shimshon Halevi Bloch. R. Sofer must have been aware of R. Wahrmanns Reform and Haskalah activities. Wahrmann played a leading role in the establishment of a school in Pest, which followed Reform and Haskalah programs. In founding the school, Wahrmann contacted a number of leading Reformers in Berlin and Kassel to solicit their assistance in forming the curriculum. See Michael Silber, The Historical Experience, note 1 above, 121. Yet, R. Sofer may have felt that by maintaining cordial relations with R. Wahrmann, he might succeed in preventing him from going still further and introducing reform innovations in Pest. In fact R. Wahrmann did refrain from doing so. 146. R. Sofer, himself, stated that he was very concerned with the spread of the Haskalah and Reform movements towards the end of the eighteenth century, (Responsa 6:#86), and was moved by the appeal to him in 1810 to join other rabbis in taking drastic steps to combat the Reform in Westphalia (id., Responsa O.H .:# 122) and the governmental abolition of the authority of . community rabbis in the 1790s (see his derashah of 1811). His concerns must have been heightened by the founding of the Reform temple in Zessen in 1810, in Berlin in 1817 and in Hamburg in 1818, together with the publication of Reform prayer books and polemical works in 1818 and thereafter. The reforms in the Hamburg Temple prompted him to undertake a leading role in organizing the Eleh Divrei ha-Berit collection of letters and to write letters to rabbis all over Europe in this effort. See M. Samet, Ha-Shinuyim, note 1 above, 374 ff; Yaakov Katz, Kavvim, note 2 above, 377-382. 147. One should bear in mind, however, that one cannot refute a sermon, nor grant authoritative weight to a derashah, as reflected in the aphorism aursv kg ohchan iht. Rather, we assume that a derashah is not, necessarily, intended to be taken literally. Consequently, R. Sofers strictures in his derashot against secular studies and use of German may, perhaps, be understood in this vein. See also Talmud Baba Batra 130b, vagn hpn tku sunk hpn ihsnk iht vagnk vfkv urntha sg (One cannot derive a halakhah, not from what is said [by the Rabbi] in the midst of studying a subject [with his students], nor from a ruling made in an actual case, until they say, [This is] the rule [to be
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applied] in an actual case.) See also Talmud Shabbat 12a, if ohrun ihtu vfkv, It is the halakha, but one does not apply the rule. For a detailed exploration of this principle, see R. Zvi Hirsh Hayes, Darkei Horaah, in Hayes, . . Kol Kitvei Maharaz Hayes (Jerusalem, 1958), 217. . . 148. See note to I Derashot Hatam Sofer, note 16 above, Parshat be-Shalah, 112 in . . Hebrew pagination, citing H.F. Plaut, a disciple of Hatam Sofer, in section II . of his Likkutei Hever Ben Hayyim, note 28 above, Parshat be-Shalah. . . 149. M. Silber, Shorshei ha-Pilug, note 9 above, 24. 150. M. Silber, ibid., 39 and f.n 83. See Y. Y. Greenwald, in his Oz ar Nehmad, . . note 81 above, 73, note 1, who says that Hatam Sofer consented to this . because of the evil winds [of reform and Haskalah] that were blowing [in Pressburg]. R. Sofer might also have agreed to such a school to meet the need for occupational training without resort to secular studies, especially, in view of the serious economic downturn that was impoverishing many Jewish families in Pressburg. M. Silber, ibid. 151. Responsa Hatam Sofer, E.H. 2:#11. . 152. Responsa Hatam Sofer, H.M.:#197. . 153. In the Will, R. Sofer admonished his descendants not to touch the books of R.M.D. This abbreviation is, generally, taken to mean R. Moshe Dessau, the name by which Moses Mendelssohn was commonly known. Others, however, disagree with this interpretation, and claim that the letters in the Will were HMD, a word used for romantic novels. See Meir Hildesheimer, The Attitude, note 33 above, 145-156. These three stringent actions, all in the last year of his life, were the chief evidence adduced by R. Lichtenstein and R. Schlesinger to prove that Hatam . Sofer held extremely stringent views on these subjects. See e.g., the first paragraph of R. Lichtensteins letter proposing the conclave in Michalovce, and the subsequent ruling of that body, both of which relied on the above mentioned actions of R. Sofer. See Yaakov Katz, Ha-Kera, note 48 above, 94; Meir Hildesheimer, Rabbanei Hungariyah, note 47 above, 942. It may be relevant that Hatam Sofer expressed his most extreme views . in the last year of his life. A little known incident may make it conceivable that R. Sofer became particularly sensitive to, and was more easily disturbed by, events in his last years. This was possibly due to his deteriorating health. His grandson, Shelomoh Sofer, records that in the last five years of his life, Hatam Sofer was agonized by the complaints against him voiced by Yonatan . ha-Levi Alexanderzohn. R. Sofer ruled that he could not become a communal rabbi. R. Sofer became so inordinately distressed by Alexanderzohns complaints that his grandson reported, I heard from reliable sources that because of this wicked person, the holy Hatam Sofer said towards the end of . his days, I can no longer bear [or continue with] the world. . . . Shelomoh Sofer, Iggerot Soferim, note 30 above, 32. Thus, the spread of Reform and Haskalah may have disturbed him in his last years even more than they might otherwise have done. These may have caused him to become even more fearful of the effects of secular learning and use of German. This does not, however, seem to be a reasonable explanation of all of Hatam Sofers seeming ambivalence. . 154. Ha-H atam Sofer Al ha-Torah, Bamidbar, Introduction, 8-9 (Jerusalem, . 1982). 155. Asher Anshel Miller, Olamo Shel Abba (Jerusalem, 1984), 55.
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156. See also to the same effect as R. Stern, R. Y. Weiss, Madrikh le-Ben Torah miMaran ha-Hatam Sofer (Jerusalem, 1989), 128-142, 155-156. . 157. Hut ha-Meshulash, 6b. . 158. See e.g., Derashot Hatam Sofer, note 16 above, Derashah for Eighth of Tevet, . 202. 159. Avraham Shmuel Sofer- Sofer, Ketov Zot Zikaron (Jerusalem, 1976), 56. 160. Moreover, R. Sofers writings have been censored. Some of his followers reprinted his Hidushim to the Talmud in 1954, and deliberately deleted the . following section at the end of his H idushim to Seder Moed. This portion . deals with the time of the beginning and end of the Sabbath, and provided, One should know that we accept the view that [the time] from sunset until the stars emerge is 24 minutes or 35 minutes. . . . These followers, apparently, believed that the times for the beginning and end of the Sabbath cited by Hatam Sofer, were too early. R. Sofer, when in . Pressburg, acted according to the tradition established there by his predecessors. Hatam Sofers followers appear to have preferred the view of . Rabbenu Tam and feared that R. Sofers writings would mislead others to follow his views. 161. Rambam and other earlier notable religious authorities, including Rabbi Bahya Ibn Pekuda in his Hovot ha-Levavot, espoused some of the foregoing . . notions. This work was studied regularly by Hatam Sofer, and was strongly . recommended by him to his students and followers. 162. See, e.g., R. Sofers Shirat Moshe (Pressburg, 1857); Moshe Samet, Kavvim Nosafim, note 1 above, 69.

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AARON M.

The Torah u-Madda Journal (11/2002-03)

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Secular Studies and the Use of the German Language

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Testimony By Those Who Knew R. Sofer Intimately

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Hatam Sofers Writings .

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Hatam Sofers Attitude Towards Maskilim and Reformers .

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Cordial Relations Between Prominent Rabbis and Maskilim

The Campaign Against Reform and the Mendelssohnian Heritage

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Courteous Relations Between Hatam Sofer and . Individual Moderate Reformers

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Hatam Sofers Halakhic Philosophy and Principles .

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

R. Sofers Principle To Act Cordially to All

The Torah u-Madda Journal

Mistaken Representation of Hatam Sofers . Views By Later Followers

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

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The Torah u-Madda Journal

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The Torah u-Madda Journal

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The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

The Torah u-Madda Journal

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