MS
Historical & Religious Figures

Moses Sofer

Who

Moses Sofer · Historical & Religious Figures

What

The Chatam Sofer; leading rabbinic authority and defender of tradition

When

1762, Frankfurt am Main, Germany — 1839, Pressburg (Bratislava), Kingdom of Hungary

Where

Frankfurt · Pressburg (Bratislava)

Biography

Moses Sofer is recognized among Jewish contributors to Historical & Religious Figures — The Chatam Sofer; leading rabbinic authority and defender of tradition

How & why

Moses Sofer, known as the Chatam Sofer, was a leading Orthodox rabbi and head of the influential Pressburg yeshiva, which trained a generation of rabbinic leaders. He became the foremost defender of traditional Judaism against 19th-century reform, encapsulated in his ruling that innovation is forbidden by the Torah. His voluminous responsa remain central to Jewish law.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia

Contributions & Sources

The Chatam Sofer; leading rabbinic authority and defender of tradition

c. 1810

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia