Alon Bochus – A Eulogy for Rabbi Naftali Hertz Shayer
Presented by the Author, the Gaon Rabbi Wolf Hamburg of Fürth
First Edition – Fürth, 1823
"Alon Bochus, " a eulogy on the renowned Gaon Rabbi Avraham Naftali Hertz Shayer, authored by the distinguished Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Ze’ev Wolf Hamburg, printed in Fürth in 1823.
Personal Dedication on the Title Page:
"This Alon Bochus was gifted to me by my esteemed father, a towering scholar in Torah and piety… the holy Rabbi Wolf Hamburg, may he live until the coming of the Redeemer. The humble Zalman, son of my late father, the pious R’ Shimon ZT”L of Schwabach.”
Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Ze’ev Wolf Hamburg ZT”L (d. 1850) – A Pillar of Torah in Ashkenaz
One of the great luminaries of Ashkenaz, Rabbi Hamburg served as the Rav of Fürth, succeeding his teacher, the Maharzach, author of "Bigdei Kehuna." He was a fierce opponent of the Haskalah movement, courageously leading the famed "Yeshiva HaRama of Fürth."
Persecuted by Maskilim and Government Authorities
Due to his unwavering refusal to introduce secular studies into the yeshiva curriculum, he faced government closures of the yeshiva multiple times. Yet, he persevered, even delivering clandestine Torah lectures to his talmidim.
His Scholarly Works
Shu”t Sha’ar Zekeinim (Zülz, 1830) – containing the drashos of his rebbi, the Maharzach
Shu”t Simlas Binyamin / Nachalas Binyamin (Fürth, 1840/1841)
Corresponded extensively with Maran the Chasam Sofer and his son, the Ksav Sofer.
For further reading: See "The Yeshiva HaRama of Fürth" (Moreshet Ashkenaz Institute, Bnei Brak, 2010, Vol. 3, pp. 35–111).
A Towering Torah Leader – Praised by the Chasam Sofer
"…A great man and Rav, a radiant gem, as pure as the heavens, my dear friend… the famed and eminent Gaon, a towering scholar, a double-edged sword, the illustrious Moreinu HaRav Binyamin Wolf Hamburg, who stands as a banner in his renowned kehillah of K.K. Fürth, the leader among scholars, blessed is he…”
(Chasam Sofer, Yoreh De’ah II, Siman 214)
