Bidspirit auction | HISTORY OF RABBI ABRAHAM SHAG

HISTORY OF RABBI ABRAHAM SHAG RABBI OF R YOSEF CHAIM SONENFELD ZONENFELD - Rabbi Avraham Shaag (Zwebner) was born on Iyar 4, 5561 (1801) in the city of Freistadt, Hungary to Rabbi Yehuda Leib, who was among the greatest disciples of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the author of Noda Biyhuda. The family name of Rabbi Yehuda Leib was actually Zwebner, but once when he asked his Rav, the Noda Biyhuda, a difficult question, the latter replied: “A lion shaag [has roared]; who will not fear?” [Amos 3:8].” From that time on, people began calling him “Shaag”. He lost his father near the age of four, and his mother sent him to Rabbi Yitzchak Fraenkel, the Rav of Roggendorf, so that he teach him Torah and mitzvot. The young boy was very gifted, and about the age of 10 he already knew a great part of the Talmud. When he reached the age of Bar Mitzvah, he went to study at the Chatam Sofer’s yeshiva in Pressburg, and there he rapidly became know as one of Rabbi Moshe Sofer’s best students. His Rav would often boast of him to the Torah greats who came to visit him. One day, accompanied by his son Rabbi Avraham Shemuel Binyamin, the Chatam Sofer organized an inspection after midnight in the student’s dormitory. When they approached the room of the young Avraham Shaag, they could hear from afar the sounds of Torah that arose from the room. Both of them, the Rav and his son, remained listening joyfully to his voice for a long time. The Chatam Sofer then turned to his son and said, “Observe and listen. This is how one must study!” From that point on, the Chatam Sofer greatly respected and spoke well of him. People say that one day, Rabbi Avraham Shaag was at the home of the Chatam Sofer, who was with another great Rav. When Rabbi Avraham got up and left, the Chatam Sofer accompanied him for a good part of the way. The other Rav was astonished and said, “It is proper to honor a great man in such a way, but not a young avrech!” In hearing this, the Chatam Sofer called Rabbi Avraham back to his home, at which point he placed a very difficult passage of the Talmud before him. When the other Rav heard Rabbi Avraham’s explanation of the passage, he changed his mind and later said to the Chatam Sofer, “You were really correct to accompany him with such honor. He is completely worthy of it.” In fact the Chatam Sofer once said that there was no greater Talmid Chacham than Rabbi Avraham within 20 kilometers. Before the age of 25, Rabbi Avraham became the Rav and Av Beit Din of the city of Schottelsdorf. He thereupon opened a yeshiva, which young men flocked to from near and far to hear his Torah. The city, which before his arrival was devoid of Torah and mitzvot, became a center of Torah and the fear of Heaven during the 25 years that Rabbi Avraham was its Rav. From Schottelsdorf, he went to the community of Kobelsdorf (the name by which he is known), where he remained as Rav until his departure for Eretz Israel. As was his habit, Rabbi Avraham Shaag was not content with enclosing himself in the tent of Torah study. Rather, he was in the first line of defense against the assimilationists and reformers, calling upon people with impassioned words to be vigilant and defend the holiness of Israel. He proved to be a leader who knew how to safely and loyally guide the ship of Judaism and thus prevent it from sinking in the ocean of unbelief. Little by little, he became the spokesperson and leader of Hungarian and Austrian Jewry. His yeshiva was also filled to capacity. Each day for six hours in a row, he would remain standing to give courses to youngsters. Even in the twilight of his life, when he was sick and weak, he stood as he gave his courses. Despite his numerous occupations, he found the time to write responsa to those who asked him questions, and he was in contact with the greatest men of his generation on matters of Halachah. In 5631 (1871), at the age of 70, he decided to fulfill the ambition of his life and leave for Eretz Israel, the land that his soul ardently yearned for. When his plans became known, the greatest Rabbis of Hungary came to see him and implored him to take the situation of Judaism at that critical time into account. Thus his voyage was postponed. However in 5633 (1873), he made the definitive decision to go and settle in Eretz Israel. To those who once again asked him not to leave, he replied that from the time he heard his Rav the Chatam Sofer speaking of Eretz Israel and its holiness, he had decided to ascend the mount of G-d and settle down near the Holy of holies, considering his life in exile as being temporary. He added that he had never spent a day, nor an hour, without yearning for Zion. At the end of a 20-day journey, the boat carrying Rabbi Avraham Shaag arrived on a Friday at dusk at the port of Alexandria. He remained there on Shabbat, and during the entire day he stayed in his cabin in the bowels of the ship, without leaving,