Polemic on Gitin Names – Notable Letter from the Great Gaon, Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margulies of Brod – Cheshvan 1822
A notable letter from the great Gaon, Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margulies of Brod,
author of Mateh Ephraim, dated 13th of Cheshvan 1822, concerning the writing of the name "Mattisyahu" for someone commonly known as "Matis", and whether it is necessary to add "d’miskari Matis" to the name given at his bris as Mattisyahu. He elaborated on this matter in his sefer Tiv Gitin regarding names in Gitin (S’if 28) –
the letter before us serves as a valuable supplement to what was printed in his sefer.
The year this letter was written (1822), the sefer Tiv Gitin was republished with many additions. This letter was written before the revised edition was published.
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The matter of calling someone "Mattisyahu" who is known as "Matis, " and how it should be written in Gitin documents, was discussed extensively in the seforim of the greats of that generation, including Rabbi Shmuel Landau, Av Beis Din of Prague (Shivas Tzion Siman 87), and Rabbi Elazar Fleckeles (Teshuva Me’Ahava, Vol. 3, Simanim 436-439). Their words were further analyzed by the next generation, including the Gaon, the Shoel U’Meshiv (Vol. 1, Kama Siman 126), and the Maharam Schick (Even HaEzer Siman 105).
The recipient of the letter, the Gaon Rabbi Nechemia of Lvov, Av Beis Din of Sasov, consulted with Reb Efraim Zalmen on issues of Gitin names once again (see Shut Beis Ephraim Even HaEzer Siman 105), as he was the sole expert in this matter in his generation due to his renowned sefer Tiv Gitin.
Before us is an important supplement to the polemics of the greats of the generation in the 18th century!
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The great Gaon Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margulies of Brod, author of Mateh Ephraim (1762–1828), learned Torah under his uncle, the holy Gaon Rabbi Sender Margulies, Av Beis Din of Santov, and was a close disciple of the holy Ohev Yisrael of Apta, Zy"a. He served as Av Beis Din of Ohanov (Brailov), but after becoming wealthy, he moved to the great Kloiz in Brod, where he immersed himself in Torah and authored numerous seforim across all areas of Torah.
He corresponded in halacha with the greats of his generation, who responded to him with great respect. Among his many seforim are Shu"T Beis Ephraim, Zera Ephraim, Ma’alos HaYichusin, Dimas Ephraim, Shaarei Ephraim, She’eris Ephraim, Yad Ephraim, Rosh Ephraim, Olelos Ephraim, Shaar Ephraim, Shem Ephraim, Mateh Ephraim, Tiv Gitin, and more.
A wonderful letter, entirely in his holy handwriting and signature!
