Samuel Benjamin Sofer
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Rabbi Abraham Samuel Benjamin Sofer, also known by his main work Ktav Sofer or Ksav Soifer (the Writ of the Scribe) was one of the leading rabbis of Hungarian Jewry in the second half of the nineteenth century.
[edit] Early years
Rabbi Avrohom Shmuel Binyomin Sofer was born in Pressurg (now Bratislava) in March, 1815 (1 Adar II 5575 on the Hebrew calendar) and died there in December, 1871 (19 Teves 5632).
His father, the famed Chasam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe Sofer), Rabbi of Pressburg, was the leader of Hungarian Jewry and one of the leading Rabbi's of European Jewry. His mother Sarel (1790-1832, d.18 Adar II 5592) was the daughter of Rabbi Akiva Eiger Rabbi of Posen, one the greatest Talmudic scholars of his time.
At age six his family fell ill and among them little Shmuel Volf, as he was called. The doctors had already given up on him. As a segulah they added "Avrohom" to his name, but to no avail. They already called the Chevra Kadisha and lit candles as was the custom of the time and they said the last rites. Then the doctors approached his father the Chasam Sofer and said "We know that you are a G-dly and holy man; if with your prayers you cannot help your son; on our part, all hope is lost". After hearing this; the Chasam Sofer went to a corner where all his manuscripts were; and said a short prayer. At that time the sick child Avrohom Shmuel Binyomin in his great weakness started screaming the Shema, and their prayers were answered; Shmuel Binyomin's condition took a turn for the better. The doctors bewildered said to the Chasam Sofer; now we truly know that you are a G-dly man; for which he answered I hadn't given up hope, not even for a second. The great pupils of the Chasam Sofer later testified that the Chasam Sofer said at the time that "for one Jubilee, I begged him out"; as Shmuel Binyomin lived for another fifty years and died at age fifty six.
His first teacher was Rabbi Mordechai Ephraim Fishel Sofer (not a relation, that we know); then he entered his fathers famous Yeshiva; and became one of its outstanding students.
At age eighteen in 1833 he married his Rebbetzin Chavah Leah who was the daughter of a Tzadik Rabbi Yitzchok Weiss from Görlitz who gave a dowry (Noden) and promised to support them for six years. The wedding was held in the town of Kamaren then they settled in Pressburg where he continued his studies and helped his father with the Yeshiva.
[edit] Pressburg (Bratislava)
On 3 October 1839 (25 Tishrei 5600) his father the Chasam Sofer died; and the mantle as Rabbi of Pressburg passed to his son the Ksav Sofer. As the Chasam Sofer was on his deathbed he blessed his son an extremely long blessing in which he mentioned every single blessing found in Tanach. Everyone in attendance stood in awe at the sight of him writhing in pain and at the same time he was able to remember and say all these blessings. Then he closed it by saying "Your grandfather Akiva will stand to your right hand; Your grandfather the Maharsheshach will stand on your left side; and a certain angel will stand over your head; and I will be close behind to fulfill your wishes".
[edit] Legacy
In December, 1871 (19 Teves 5632) the Ksav Sofer died; and the mantle as Rabbi of Pressburg passed to his son Rabbi Simcha Bunim Sofer known as the Shaivet Sofer.
