Long Letter of Responsum by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolioth

Long Torah responsum, by R. Ephraim Zalman Margolioth. [Brody, c. 1790s-1820s].
Response to comments about his responsa in the book Beit Efraim. Approximately 6 pages handwritten by his scribe, with a concluding sentence handwritten by R. Ephraim Zalman Margolioth: “… I must end here. May G-d strengthen your heart in Torah and open for you the gates of light, in the words of the small Ephraim".
Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolioth (Margolis) of Brody (1761-1828), author of Beit Efraim and Mateh Efraim was a famous Torah scholar, renowned throughout the Diaspora as a prominent Torah posek. He exchanged halachic responsa with many leading sages of his generation. He was a contemporary of Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum of Lissa, (author of Netivot Hamishpat) and Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller (author of Ketzot Hachoshen). He was known for being a descendent of Rashi, the Maharsha and the Rama. His father and grandfather were members of the renowned "kloiz" (small study hall) in Brody. In his youth, he served in the rabbinate of Uhniv but after a short while returned to Brody and decided to never accept a rabbinical position, following the example of his teacher the Tevu'ot Shor. He was blessed with extreme wealth, and known as one of the preeminent Torah sages of his generation and received halachic queries from all ends of the globe. The Nodah B'Yehuda, the Sha'agat Aryeh, R. Akiva Eiger, the Chatam Sofer and other leading Torah figures exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Margolioth. Although not considered a Chassid, he was close to many great Chassidic leaders and students of the Maggid of Mezritch and gave his approbation to many Chassidic books. His books of responsa and halacha were basis for halachic rulings and were already celebrated during his lifetime. The Chatam Sofer eulogized him: “Every day his voice is heard in our study halls through the words of his books” (Ishim B’Teshuvot Chatam Sofer, pp. 79-81).
[3] leaves (6 written pages). 23 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears mended with paper. Bound in a slightly damaged binding.
This responsum was printed in the Beit Efraim responsa, Mahadura Tanina, Part 2, siman 58, Mosad HaRav Kook, Jerusalem, 1980.