Early, interesting and lengthy letter from the Admo"r Rabbi Yochanan Sofer ...

Early, interesting and lengthy letter from the Admo"r Rabbi Yochanan Sofer of Erlau. The letter deals with Torah thoughts, family matters and the rabbi's main occupation, teaching students [Erlau, Hungary. 1950?].

The letter was sent to the rabbi's relative, Rabbi Shlomo Sofer. Alongside Torah thoughts and halachic deliberations, there are interesting opinions about Rabbi Yochanan Sofer's students, the books he published, and family matters. Inter alia, the rabbi writes, "I appreciate very much that [you] mentioned me to the Admo"r of Belz, shlit"a." As is known, just a few years later, when the Rebbe was already living in Jerusalem, he became very close to Rabbi Aharon of Belz. As a result, Erlau Chassidut adopted some of the customs of Belz Chassidut.

The Admo"r Rabbi Yochanan Sofer [1923-2016] was the Av Beit Din and rosh yeshivah of 'Ohel Shimon of Erlau,' a remnant of the glorious rabbinic dynasty of the Sofer family - fifth generation of the Chatam Sofer. He survived the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry and was a member of Agudat Yisrael's Council of Torah Sages. He was occupied with Torah his entire life, with toil and dedication. He authored books of Torah novellae and halachic rulings, and was considered one of the rabbinic leaders in the Land of Israel. Aside from this, he was very involved in compiling the books of his forefathers, the geonim, and the books of the great geonim of Hungary. After the Holocaust, he served as rabbi and instructor in Budapest. He ascended to the Land, where he established the Erlau yeshivah and the community of Erlau Chassidim, which is considered one of the most important Chassidic communities which were established in the Land of Israel after the Holocaust.

[1] paper leaf written on both sides, 21x29 cm. Dense handwriting, entirely written and signed in his hand; fine condition. Fold marks; aging stains.