A Son's Legacy: The Story of the 'Ktav Sofer'

Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer was born on the 1st of Adar I, 5575, in Pressburg, Slovakia, to Rabbi Moshe Sofer, known as the 'Chatam Sofer,' and his wife, Sarel, the daughter of Rabbi Akiva Eiger.

At six years old, he fell gravely ill, and his condition was so severe that hope for his recovery was lost, with burial preparations underway. His father, the Chatam Sofer, prayed fervently to Hashem to save his son and added the name "Avraham" as a blessing. Miraculously, the boy awoke, recovered, and began to study with remarkable dedication. His father famously remarked that he secured "fifty years" for him.

At just 14, he was writing Torah novellae on the weekly portion, and by 17, he was exchanging scholarly letters with his father's leading disciples.

In 5593, at 18, he fulfilled the saying "at eighteen to the wedding canopy," marrying Chava Leah, the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss of Galace, of blessed memory.

After his marriage, he continued his intense Torah study day and night. The Chatam Sofer commented, "My son learns Torah better than I, though I am more experienced, but in that, I am older than him."

Throughout his life, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin avoided official rabbinic positions, despite numerous requests from many communities. On Hoshana Rabbah, the 21st of Tishrei, 5600, at only 25, his father, the Chatam Sofer, fell ill. Community leaders in Pressburg requested that if his father passed, his son, the 'Ktav Sofer,' should inherit his position, teach at the yeshiva, and serve as head of the court.

Upon hearing this, the 'Ktav Sofer' wept, reluctant to assume an official role. To allay his fears, his father blessed him with all the blessings in the Bible regarding leadership and said, "Your grandfather Rabbi Akiva on your right, your grandfather Maharshach on your left, and a certain angel above you. And I will come after you and fulfill your words."

Four days later, on the 25th of Tishrei, the Chatam Sofer passed away, and at 25, his son became head of the court in Pressburg. On the first Shabbat of his tenure, he had to give a sermon in his father’s place in the great synagogue. Initially, he stuttered, but suddenly his father appeared to him and said, "Do not worry, my son, as I promised: I will come after you to fulfill your words." At that moment, wisdom flowed to him, and he delivered a magnificent sermon.

The name of the 'Ktav Sofer' spread worldwide as a great genius, called the "prince of Torah." Thousands flocked to his yeshiva to study with him, producing great rabbinical leaders. Despite his position as a leading figure, standing before kings and ministers, he remained incredibly humble. His brother, Rabbi Shimon of Kraków, remarked, "I've never seen anyone as humble as he."

He led his community for 32 years and was considered the greatest of his generation. Notably, he was among the first European rabbis to permit machine-made matzot for Passover. On the 19th of Tevet, 5632, at just 56, the tzaddik 'Ktav Sofer' passed away, fulfilling his father’s prophecy of "fifty years."

After the Holocaust, his grandson, the Admor of Erlau, Rabbi Yochanan Sofer, established the 'Ktav Sofer' network of Torah academies in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Elad, Ashdod, and Beitar Illit, and established Torah institutions worldwide in his honor.