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Letter in handwriting and signature of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer to Rabbi Eliyahu Menachem Goitein. [Eisenstadt], [1867].
Interesting historical letter in which the firm position of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer regarding the proper manner of coping with challenges of the enlightenment and reform movement, is apparent. As well, the letter presents criticism which his approach evoked toward him and toward his Yeshiva in Eisenstadt from the Orthodox sect.
“… during this period almost every person who performs one commandment in its entirety is considered admirable, and people are not aware of that which is taking place in the Ostrich kingdom as a result of this great wisdom… this wisdom which has degraded the kingdom… and we refuse to accept reproof… and this indolence is called wisdom… how will we answer our children when they ask us what we have done with Shas and the Halachic rulings and how we have twisted the rules and became reform…”.
The letter mentions, among the rest, the “Av Beit Din of Pressburg” [author of the "Ktav Sofer"], the “divine Rabbi Zelig Fisher [of Babeten], as well as “Wisdom of Rabbi Akiva Yosef” [Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, among greatest opponents of Rabbi Azriel]. Last passage of letters contains a longwinded Torah debate.
The Ga’on Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer (1820-1899), among leading Torah giants of his generation. Disciple of author of "Aruch LaNer" and of Rabbi Yitzchak Berneis of Hamburg. Between 1851-1869 served as rabbi in Eisenstadt where he founded a pioneer Yeshiva, in which secular studies were integrated - “Torah with Derech Eretz”. This development provoked opposition and criticism both by the reforms and by certain sects of the Orthodox community, however, Torah giants of Hungary and Germany recognized his greatness and supported his Yeshiva. In 1869 was appointed as Av Beit Din of Berlin, where he established his Rabbinical Beit Midrash. Led German Orthodox Jewry. Majority of his writings were burned in the fire which erupted in his home, and from the remaining writings, a few volumes of responsa and Chiddushim were printed (Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 1969-2000). This letter, however, does not appear there.
Recipient of letter, the Ga’on Rabbi Eliyahu Menachem Goitein (1838-1902), son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Goitein and grandson of Rabbi Baruch Bendit Goitein author of "Kessef Nivchar". Disciple of the Ktav Sofer. As his father and grandfather, served in the rabbinate of Hedis. Was closely associated with Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer and corresponded with him regularly.
29 cm. leaf. Good condition. Leaf singed from ink in several places.