Two Polemical Publications

Two Polemical Publications

1. Edut Shoshanim – By Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Weber, Disciple of the Chatam Sofer and the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. 1885. Incomplete Copy.

Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, criticized Rabbi Chaim of Sanz in his book Ahalei Shem. In response, Rabbi Weber, a close disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, published a pamphlet titled Milchemet Chovah (Jerusalem, 1882) against Rabbi Ganzfried. Rabbi Ganzfried later countered with Mikhseh L’Ohel, which was attached to later editions of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

This pamphlet defends Rabbi Weber against the attacks of Rabbi Ganzfried.

It includes:

A letter-for-letter reproduction of Mikhseh L’Ohel.

Letters of support for Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Weber from various community leaders and rabbis where he served.

Printed by Rabbi Weber himself in 1885, as mentioned in his later work Ofel U’Bechan.

About Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Weber ("The Rabbi of Ada") [1822-1892]:

A disciple of the Chatam Sofer and a descendant of the Magen Avraham.

Studied under Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman (Yeriot Shlomo), who granted him semicha.

Served as Rabbi of Ada (Hungary) from 1853.

Very close to Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, who affectionately called him "Rav Ada bar Ahava" (a play on words referencing his mother’s name, Liebe, in Yiddish).

After immigrating to Eretz Yisrael, he was close to Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin.

Rabbi Diskin’s only recorded attendance at a eulogy was for Rabbi Weber.

In 1892, he and Rabbi Shimon Heisman (a Chevroner) bribed the Sheikh guarding the Cave of Machpelah to gain entry, disguising themselves as Arab women.

Their discovery of a forgotten Tehillim inside the cave led to a major Arab outcry, nearly resulting in riots and pogroms.

[4] pages. 32x21 cm. Missing last leaf.

2. Ofel U'Bechan on Mikhseh L’Ohel. By Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Weber. 1890.

A continuation of the polemic against Rabbi Ganzfried’s Mikhseh L’Ohel, which had been widely circulated:

"It spread throughout the Holy City… exaggerated reports were even sent abroad… but Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried knew nothing of this… only a forger and liar printed it."

Includes letters from prominent rabbis condemning Mikhseh L’Ohel.

See: Shoshana Halevi, The Hebrew Books Printed in Jerusalem, Jerusalem 1963, p. 171.

[4] pages. 35x24 cm.

Condition: Moderate-good. Minor tears and some loss.