CONTROVERSY OVER THE RABBINATE OF DEBRECEN, HUNGARY 1891. LETTER BY REB YITZCHAK REICH, HEAD OF THE HUNGARIAN ...

CONTROVERSY OVER THE RABBINATE OF DEBRECEN, HUNGARY 1891. LETTER BY REB YITZCHAK REICH, HEAD OF THE HUNGARIAN ORTHODOX SHOMREI HADASS COMMUNAL ORGANISATION, TO RABBI ELIEZER ZUSSMAN SOFER, RABBI OF DEBRECEN.

During the mid-19th century the majority of the Debrecen community were influenced by reformist tendencies, leading 30 strictly orthodox families to establish their own independent community under the rabbinate of Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer. Their action angered the local community members who then appointed a rabbi more to their liking. This action deeply angered the orthodox rabbis of Hungary, and in this extremely sharply worded letter the head of the orthodox communities asks Rabbi Sofer not to publish the rabbis’ letters as yet.

Reb Yitzchak Reich (d. 1896), valiant leader of the Budapest central office of the Hungarian orthodox Shomrei Hadass organisation, who fought to preserve strict orthodox principles and gained the recognition of the Hungarian authorities for the separatist orthodox communities.

Rabbi Eliezer Zussman Sofer, son of Yaakov Shalom Sofer of Topolcany, Rabbi of Debrecen and subsequently Rabbi of the Chevra Shas synagogue in Budapest.

1 side. 21 x 29.5 cm. Good condition.