"Open letter… to defend ourselves against the destroyers of the religion… and why we decided to secede from the local community of evildoers… a collection of our teachers' and leaders' words to strengthen weak arms… the Orthodox 'Torah-observant' community in Beregszász" (from the title page, which is missing in the present copy).

In 1930, the Rabbi of Beregszász, R. Shlomo Sofer (son of the Ketav Sofer) passed away. In accordance with his will, his son-in-law R. Avraham Shlomo Hirsch was appointed to his place as rabbi of the city. However, some community members opposed the appointment, and were supported by several important rebbes and rabbis, including Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. The dispute exacerbated until it reached various Batei Din and secular courts. In the elections for rabbi of the city, R. Avraham Shlomo was elected with a vast majority. Consequently, his opponents seceded from the central community and established an independent "Torah-observant" community. R. Asher Steinmetz was chosen as rabbi of the community, a follower of Rebbe Yoel of Satmar, son-in-law of R. Yisrael Freund, Av Beit Din of Hunedoara, son of R. Avraham Yehoshua Freund, Av Beit Din of Năsăud. In response, R. Avraham Shlomo Hirsch disqualified the shochet of the seceding community.

Several important Hungarian rebbes and rabbis participated in the controversy. Both parties published approbations and halachic rulings, booklets and arguments in support of their respective claims. The present booklet was printed by the seceding "Torah-observant" community, and in it the heads of the community detail the development of the controversy, the arguments and reasons supporting their side, and halachic rulings and responsa of rabbis and rebbes who took part in the dispute. Among them are: Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar; the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs; R. Shaul Brach of Nitra, Av Beit Din of Košice; R. Yosef Elimelech Kahana, Av Beit Din of Uzhhorod; the Levushei Mordechai of Mád; Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Freund, Av Beit Din of Interdam and Năsăud; R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich, Av Beit Din of Șimleu Silvaniei; R. Yitzchak Tzvi Amsel, Av Beit Din of Zborov; R. Asher Lemel Segal Spitzer, Av Beit Din of Kirchdorf; R. Yehoshua Buxbaum, Av Beit Din of Galanta; and many more.

At the end of the booklet are several pages (in Hungarian) with citations from the community ordinances.

[1], 4-55, [1] pages. Missing title page. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Creases and marginal tears. Last pages repaired with paper. Partially-disconnected leaves. Missing cover.

Rare. To the best of our knowledge, has not been offered for sale at auction.