A Complete Unpublished Work – The Rabbinic Controversy of Tállya – Ancestor of the ‘Arugos HaBosem’ – Handwritten Endorsements from the Great Scholars of Hungary – Never Before Printed!
Sefer Ra’anan Ezrach – Charut Enosh, three parts:
Part I: Commentary on Tanach and the words of Chazal.
Part II: The author’s letters to the sages of his time.
Part III: Letters received by the author from the scholars of his generation.
By Rabbi Alexander Zusha Klein of Tállya, written in the 1880s –
autograph manuscript in the author’s own handwriting.
This volume contains significant letters on various matters, including polemical correspondence with leading sages of the generation concerning the rabbinic appointment controversy in the city of Tállya. Among those involved were the Ksav Sofer, the Menuchas Asher of Tsheger, and the Shaarei Torah, as well as a letter from the Malbim regarding the proposal for him to serve as Rav of Tállya.
Autograph Endorsements from the Great Scholars of Hungary
This manuscript is adorned with handwritten approbations from the leading luminaries of the time, written in the years 1889–1890, including:
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Glik, Av Beis Din of Tállya.
Rabbi Yosef Ganzfried, son of the author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.
Rabbi Yechezkel Bnet, Av Beis Din of Varal.
Rabbi Aharon Greenberg, Av Beis Din of Mihalovitz.
Additionally, signatures of Tállya residents confirming advance payments for the book appear,
led by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Glik, who wrote a few lines in honor of the author and his work.
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The Rabbinic Controversy of Tállya
In 1855, the rabbinic seat in the prestigious city of Tállya became vacant. The community invited
Rabbi Yosef Greenwald, Av Beis Din of Jánosháza, to deliver a test derasha, as was customary, to determine his suitability for the position. When he began speaking, the entire congregation immediately accepted him with cries of “Mekudash! Mekudash!” and appointed him as their Rav. However, before the official contract and salary arrangements were finalized, Rabbi Yosef had to leave the town briefly for personal matters.
In his absence, the head of the community – who had not been involved in the initial appointment – opposed his selection. Instead, he brought in another candidate, known as “the Rav of Potok”.
When this new Rav arrived in Tállya and attempted to deliver his derasha before the congregation, many townspeople urged him to return home, insisting that they had already chosen their Rav. However, he refused to withdraw, and his lecture was met with public scorn and ridicule. Nevertheless, the community leader stubbornly upheld his choice.
The respected leaders of Tállya, including Rabbi Alexander Zusha Klein, turned to the great sages of the generation for assistance, writing urgent letters pleading for intervention. Many gedolim responded in support, yet the opposition persisted.
In a remarkable turn of events, within a year, the community leader died suddenly under mysterious circumstances:
“He fell stricken like a slain man, and it became a source of dread and awe”. The newly installed Rav left for Homonna, and Rabbi Yosef Greenwald assumed the rabbinic position of Tállya with honor and longevity.
Years later, in 1883, the same Rav of Potok was removed from his post in Homonna,
and none other than Rabbi Yosef’s son, Rabbi Amram Greenwald, succeeded him in the role. The son of the one he had wronged now replaced him in the very position from which he had ousted Rabbi Yosef!
A letter in this manuscript—seemingly addressed to Rabbi Amram—describes this astonishing divine retribution:
"It is truly wondrous to behold how the same measure was meted out against him in precise and exact correspondence…"
The volume contains numerous additional letters from Rabbi Alexander Zusha Klein, one of Tállya’s communal leaders, appealing to gedolim for support regarding this troubling controversy. Among them are two letters to the Ksav Sofer. (See attached materials for further reference.)
It is worth noting that in Igros Ksav Sofer (Letter 24), a distinguished letter from Rabbi Shimon Sofer, Av Beis Din of Krakow and son of the Chasam Sofer, was published, where he lavishly praised Rabbi Yosef and endorsed his candidacy for the rabbinic post in Tállya.
Rabbi Yosef Greenwald – A Legacy of Torah Greatness
Rabbi Yosef Greenwald (d. 1870) served as Rav in Jánosháza, Tállya, and Tshetshevitse. He corresponded on halachic matters with the Chasam Sofer, who addressed him with profound reverence despite his youth:
"Shalom and my regards to the great and pious sage, upright and trustworthy, a wise man who guides with prudence and faith, our master and teacher, Rabbi Yosef, Av Beis Din of Jánosháza…" (Shu”t Chasam Sofer, Orach Chaim, Siman 100).
His grandson and foremost disciple was the illustrious Rabbi Moshe Greenwald, Av Beis Din of Khust, author of Arugos HaBosem.
