Manuscript, Arrangements for the Funeral of Rabbi Zalman Chassid of Frankfurt, Rabbi of the Chatam Sofer - Cheshvan 1790

Manuscript, Arrangements for the Funeral of Rabbi Zalman Chassid of Frankfurt, Rabbi of the Chatam Sofer - Cheshvan 1790
Handwritten leaf with a detailed description of the arrangements of the funeral of Rabbi Zalman Mirlesh who died on Wednesday the fifth of Cheshvan 1790. The task of carrying his casket was divided between the Chevra Kaddisha Gomlei Chassadim and the Chevra Kaddisha of the buriers. Frankfurt am Main, [1790].
“The great Torah genius and tsaddik Rabbi Zalman Chassid called R’ Zalman Mirlesh who would sit and study Torah and Chassidism for over 30 years…in the home of R’ Michel Geiger. He abstained from all worldly pleasures and would seclude himself with prayers and entreaties in holiness and purity and his mouth never stopped learning (Torah).”
Recounted at the beginning of the leaf is the great love of the city’s residents for Rabbi Zalman and afterward the details of the preparations for his funeral. Related further in the leaf is that immediately after his death, the Chevra Kaddisha of the buriers sent a request to the Chevra Kaddisha Gomlei Chassadim “to honor them and also give them the privilege of carrying the Chassid’s casket”. After discussions, all agreed to divide the way from Rabbi Zalman’s home until the cemetery between the two Chevra Kaddishas “A one-time order for reasons of honor and peace and not for all times…”.
Rabbi Meshulam Zalman Mirlesh – Chassid, was born in Manheim and was a faithful companion of the renowned Rabbi Yeshaya Berlin-Pik of Breslau. One of the foremost Torah scholars of Frankfurt am Main, head of yeshiva and an ascetic holy tsaddik. Written on his tombstone: “He conducted himself with piety and asceticism and was extremely diligent
in the study of Torah day and night for almost 40 years and taught many disciples”. Similar things were written about him in the memorial notebook of the community.
The Chatam Sofer studied in his youth in Rabbi Zalman’s yeshiva and was his disciple. See the book Chut Meshulash about the history of the Chatam Sofer (comment, pp. 14-15 of the new editions, Leaf 3 of the old edition). The Chatam Sofer writes (in his responsa, Yoreh De’ah, Siman 207) that his teacher and rabbi Rabbi Zalman Chassid had a Mikveh (ritual bath) in his summer home and this home served as a Bet Midrash.
Leaf 23 cm. High-quality thin paper, good-fair condition, folding marks, holes and minor damages (from ink corrosion). Housed in a small envelope with an inscription in an old handwriting, with the acronym “Chevra Kaddisha of our community” in initials.