He was born in
Frankfurt on Main, Germany, and after studying there, settled in
Prossnitz. He was rabbi in Dresnitz and from 1798, in Mattersdorf,
Austria. When the rabbinate of Pressburg (Bratislava), now in
Slovakia, became vacant in 1806, he was called to become chief
rabbi. His renown was such that his yeshiva became the world's
largest rabbinical school. Due to him, the city was a stronghold of
strict Orthodoxy and he founded a dynasty of scholars. His
rabbinical decisions are still regarded as relevant. Sofer bitterly
fought Haskala, the Reform movement and the introduction of prayers
in the vernacular. His responsa were published in seven volumes
under the title Hatam Sofer and he is generally known by the
title of his book.
Bibliography:
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer.
20, 72 p [London, 1955]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hatam Sofer:
Shalosh shitot. [1961]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hagahot Hatam Sofer.
62 p. [New York, 1959]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hatam Sofer
`al ha-Torah. 5 v. facsims. [1957/58-61]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer
`al sugyot ba-Shas. 11, 261 p [High College "Rabbi Akiba Eiger,"
Brooklyn] 729 [1969]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer
`al seder Kodashim. 92 p. [1975?]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer
`al masekhet Sukah. 158 p. Brooklyn : High College of Rabbi Akiba
Eiger, 5734 [1973 or 1974]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hatam Sofer,
derashot. 2 v. (850 p.) [New York, 1960/61]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Teshuvot Hatam Sofer,
[19 v. Brooklyn : [Distributed by] High College of Rabbi Akiba
Eiger, 573
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer
`al masekhet Bava kama. 6, 118 p. [1967 or 8]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Sefer Hatam Sofer
: hidushim u-ve'urim `al ha-mitsvot. 290 p. Brooklyn: [distributed
by] High College of Rabbi Akiba Eiger, [735 i.e. 1975 or 1976]
SCHREIBER, Moses. Hidushe Hatam Sofer `al masekhet Gitin. 74 l. [Brooklyn, 1955]
Links:
In The Land of Hagar - A Virtual
Exhibition on the Jews of Hungary
Rabbi Moshe Sofer - The Chasam Sofer
Rabbi Moshe Sofer (The Chasam Sofer)
The Chasam Sofer - Rabbi Moshe Sofer - Jewish Virtual Library
