Chasam Sofer
Mattersdorf, 1802
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“Even if one is at the lowest of levels, he still has a connection to the Torah”
Drashah for Shavuos Handwritten by the Chasam Sofer
Mattersdorf, 1802
A sacred handwritten leaf from Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of Chasam Sofer, with fundamental explanations concerning receiving the Torah on Shavuos and the brachos recited prior to learning Torah.
Both sides of the leaf feature a handwritten title by the Chasam Sofer in block letters: “B’ezras Hashem Yisborach. Shavuos”. This essay was written in honor of Shavuos, 1802.
In this essay, the Chasam Sofer presents beautiful explanations of famous Jewish customs observed on the festival of Shavuos, among them eating dairy and placing trees in shul.
The underlying message of this essay is that
“Torah was not given to individuals, but to Klal Yisrael as one unit…
…the scholar has no advantage over the illiterate in his connection to Torah …
… Even if one is at the lowest of levels, he still has a connection to the Torah…
…One whose enthusiasm is not ignited to Torah is destined to be ignited after several generations…
…And if he does not come, then his son or his grandson will come, and he shall inherit the same legacy…
Therefore every member of Yisrael can rejoice on the festival of Shavuos.”
‘שהתורה לא נתנה ליחידים כי אם לכללות ישראל’.
‘ואין שום אחיזה בתורה לת”ח עליה יותר מעמי הארץ כי כולם שוים לטובה’ ‘ולא יתייאש אדם מחלקו בתורה, אפילו יהיה בשפל המדרגה’.
ואף אם ‘אינו מבעיר עתה התלהבות התורה עתיד הוא להבעיר אחר כמה דורות’.
‘ואם הוא אינו בא, בא בנו או בן בנו ממשפחתו וירש אותה מורשה’, ולכן יש חיוב לכל אדם מישראל לשמוח בחג השבועות.
Mattersdorf, 1802. Page size: 24×18 cm. 62 written lines.
Tear on bottom corner with several letters missing. Preserved in new binding.
The manuscript was in the possession of Rabbi Naftali Stern, and was printed based on the present copy in Drashos Chasam Sofer (Klausenburg, 1929) p. 228a-b (see description ibid, preface p. 13 #2).
The Shechinah Speaks from His Mouth
The Chasam Sofer’s fiery lectures instilled awe and terror in the hearts of all who heard them, inspiring them to rectify their misdeeds and repent. Numerous handwritten accounts depict the rousing scene of the Chasam Sofer standing before the ark resembling an angel, his countenance aglow with compassion and humility, and his words fiery arrows that penetrated every heart, evoking repentance and desire to serve Hashem. As one author describes, “[The Chasam Sofer] fulfilled what he himself wrote, ‘[When] a Rabbi who preaches and rebukes for the sake of heaven, the Divine Presence speaks from his mouth.” (Toras Moshe, Parshas Mattos)
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וכל דבריו ודרשותיו וחידושי תורתו בהלכה ואגדה הם מלאים קדושה יראת שמים וחסידות ומידות טהורות ונשגבות’ (הגאון משאמלוי הי”ד בזכרון למשה עמ’ 8).
The Remarkable Segulos of the Chasam Sofer’s Handwriting
A Segulah for Yiras Shamayim
Maharam Banet expressed that a mere glance at the sacred writing of the Chasam Sofer fosters fear of heaven. It is told that Maharam Banet once received a handwritten teshuvah from the Chasam Sofer and spent a great deal of time perusing it. When his students asked if the letter perplexed him, he replied, “No, but I am delving into this teshuvah, since the mere sight of his sacred writing increases fear of heaven” (Drashos Chasam Sofer, Preface, p. 6).
The Admor Rabbi Yoel of Satmar similarly expressed that seeing the handwriting of the Chasam Sofer can lead one to attain fear of heaven.
A Segulah for Protection
It is known that the Chasam Sofer’s family members and descendants would safeguard his letters and writings as a segulah for protection and security, affirming that it is auspicious for protection from trial or tribulation. Whenever his son Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Av Beis Din of Cracow, faced the Austrian Parliament, he would remove a letter written by his father from his breast pocket and carefully peruse it before rendering his decision.
A Segulah for Health and Recovery
The Daas Sofer would instruct patients to place a handwritten letter of the Chasam Sofer beneath their pillow as a segulah for health and recovery (Beis Sofrim p. 173).
A Segulah for Easy Childbirth
The Chasam Sofer’s family would also place a handwritten letter by the Chasam Sofer beneath the head of a woman in the throes of difficult labor as a segulah for swift and safe childbirth (Shu”t Shevet Halevi Vol. 6 Ch. 162 #2)
Line and Period in the Chasam Sofer’s Writings
The Chasam Sofer would mark the end of every paragraph in his writings with a line and period. See Rabbi Nosson Stern in his preface to Drashos Chasam Sofer p. 19a, comments, citing Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss, Av Beis Din of Nagy-Falu, who notes that the Chasam Sofer inserted these markings with kabbalistic motives.
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