Letter handwritten and signed by R. Simcha Bunim Güns-Eger, addressed to his nephew (his brother's son) R. Shlomo Eger. Krotoshin (Krotoszyn), 1805.
Lengthy letter of Torah thoughts. R. Bunim addresses his nephew at the beginning of the letter and in the address on the verso, with many titles of honor: "My beloved friend, my nephew, the exceptional rabbi, outstanding in Torah and fear of G-d, perspicacious and sharp-witted… R. Shlomo son of R. Akiva Eger Rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec)". The letter was sent to Warsaw, where R. Shlomo Eger resided, with his father-in-law providing for all his needs.
On the verso, R. Simcha Bunim Eger requests of his nephew R. Shlomo to obtain for him volumes of the Korets edition of Ein Yaakov, offering him in return a Shulchan Aruch with handwritten glosses of R. Akiva Eger – R. Shlomo's father.
R. Simcha Bunim Güns-Eger Rabbi of Mattersdorf (Mattersburg; 1770-1829), younger brother and study companion of R. Akiva Eger, an outstanding and foremost Torah scholar of his times. He received a rabbinic ordination at the young age of 13. He was attached to his older brother, R. Akiva Eger, and they would reputedly study together in the attic of their home. After his marriage, he devoted himself to Torah study in Krotoshin (during which period this letter was written), and later served as rabbi of Rogozhin (Rogoźno, Posen region). In 1810, he succeeded the Chatam Sofer as rabbi of Mattersdorf, establishing a yeshiva there which attracted numerous students. Many responsa of the Chatam Sofer were addressed to him, and the Chatam Sofer's high regard for him is evident in the titles he uses in reference to him. Dozens of response addressed to him are published in Responsa R. Akiva Eger, and his teachings are quoted in many instances in the books of R. Akiva Eger, with great reverence: "…if my brother the great Torah scholar agrees with this…"; "I was very happy to see that you approved of my thoughts" (at the end of the book Drush VeChiddush); "…and if this does not seem acceptable to my brother, my words shall be void" (ibid); "…all these are concealed from my blind eyes, perhaps you have ways to help me understand and explain our rabbis' words properly" (ibid); "My lowly opinion is nullified before your great opinion" (Ginzei Rabbi Akiva Eger, 13); "Inform me your lofty thoughts about this… your friend and brother, who is bound to you with love" (a compilation of some 40 correspondences between the illustrious brothers named Alei Esev was published in London, 1995). His renowned sons and sons-in-law include: His eldest son, R. Moshe; R. Yosef Güns-Schlesinger (son-in-law of his cousin Sorel wife of the Chatam Sofer); his son R. Shmuel Rabbi of Felsőábrány (Bükkábrány), his son-in-law the renowned Torah scholar R. Shlomo Zalman Ullmann Rabbi of Makova author of Yeriot Shlomo.
An inscription at the top of the letter, in later script, states that a booklet on Choshen Mishpat, section 58, by "my uncle" R. Bunim (writer of this letter) is related to this letter.
To the best of our knowledge, this letter has never been published.
[1] leaf. 23 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Tears, affecting text. Folding marks.