Long letter, handwritten and signed by Rabbi Shmuel David Yungreiss. Balassagyarmat, Kislev 1880. Responsum to Torah novellae on matters of Choshen Mishpat, sent by Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss from the city of Ököritó [1840-mid 1890's, author of Toldot Yitzchak, disciple of the author of Ktav Sofer, son of Rabbi Shimon Ozer Weiss]. Rabbi Yungreiss opens with an apology: "I am very busy with my disciples, however I will respond according to the free time I can find because 'One should not pass by a mitzvah' and my disciples are here before me". He signs: "I will conclude with great blessings, your friend who loves you, written and signed at the crack of dawn of the 2nd of Kislev 1881. Shmuel David HaLevi". Rabbi Shmuel David HaLevi Yungreiss, (1838-1892), son of Rabbi Shraga Feish Yungreiss (Av Beit Din of Stężyca, disciple of the Chatam Sofer), and son-in-law of his uncle Rabbi Asher Anshel Yungreiss, (Av Beit Din of Csenger, author of Menuchat Asher, famed as a holy wonder-worker). Studied at the Pressburg Yeshiva with the author of the Ktav Sofer who granted him semicha for the rabbinate. From 1868, he served in the Balassagyarmat rabbinate where he established his Yeshiva Gedola. He sat wrapped in his tallit and crowned with tefillin until noon and would then deliver his discourses to his disciples. His diligence was legendary and even while walking from place to place his lips would murmur words of Torah. He was also well known for his genius and holiness and always conducted himself with piety and halachic stringencies. He travelled twice a year to Siget to bask in the presence of the Rebbe, author of Yitav Lev and after the latter's death he travelled a few times to Mukacheve to the Rebbe, author of Shem Shlomo [once, when he received an Aliya to the Torah in the Beit Midrash of the Mukacheve Rebbe, the author of Darkei Teshuva whispered to his father the Rebbe, that the motions of the Rabbi of Balassagyarmat show that he studies Kabbalah. His father answered him, "I have already discussed revealed and hidden Torah with the Rabbi of Balassagyarmat and I know that he is greatly erudite also in the secrets of the holy Torah"]. Some of his Torah novellae were printed in Jerusalem in 1958, in the first volume of responsa of the Maharsheda. This letter has not yet been printed. Leaf, 21 cm. Two closely written pages, approximately 55 lines. Brittle paper, fair condition, wear and minor tears to margins + another leaf with the recipient's address in the handwriting of the sender.