The Meat Controversy in the Karlsburg Community – Letter from the Heilige Maharitz Dushinsky – 1931
A letter from Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, during his tenure as Rav of Huszt, addressed to Rav Ephraim Fishel Sofer (apparently Av Beis Din of Csuc and later a rov in Pest, passed away in 1942). The letter discusses a dispute between the Akru”t (community leaders) and the dayanim of Karlsburg. At the time, the rav of Karlsburg was Rav Avraham Shmuel Panet.
The Maharitz mentions various rabbonim involved in the matter but refrains from expressing his opinion, stating that he heard his father-in-law, Rav Mordechai Leib Winkler, author of Levushei Mordechai, had already ruled to prohibit the matter. He writes: "I do not wish to weigh in before hearing from my esteemed father-in-law, in whom the spirit of Hashem rests, and whose words are precise to the finest detail."
It appears the issue at hand was a request by the Akru”t of the Karlsburg kehillah regarding the Status Quo community’s efforts to align with the Orthodox community concerning the Gabella (meat tax). The proposal was for the Status Quo community to lease the Gabella to the butchers, who would then sell kosher meat exclusively in their butcher shops. This would eliminate the butcher shops of the Orthodox community, which would instead receive a fixed compensation.
This controversy is referenced in Shu”t Atzei Chaim (newly republished, Siman 29), where the Atzei Chaim, ruled back in 1925 against any partnership between the Status Quo and Orthodox communities regarding the Gabella. His ruling was also signed by Rav Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich, author of Lechem Shlomo, who was later murdered al kiddush Hashem.
This letter serves as an important historical supplement to this well-known dispute!
The Holy Gaon, Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (5627–5709)
One of the Gedolim of Hungary and Av Beis Din of Jerusalem, a primary talmid of the Shevet Sofer and others. In 5650, he was taken as a
son-in-law by the renowned
Levushei Mordechai, Av Beis Din of
Mad, and in 5651, he was appointed Av Beis Din of
Galanta, where he established a large yeshiva. In 5681, he assumed the rabbanus of
Huszt, transferring his yeshiva there, which became one of
Hungary’s largest.
Following the passing of
Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, he was appointed his
successor in leading the Eida Chareidis of Jerusalem. In Yerushalayim, he founded the Beis Yosef Tzvi Yeshiva, whose talmidim later established the prestigious
Dushinsky Chassidus.
