The Divrei Chaim on the Torah from the treasure of the holy gaon, the Apsei Eretz of Nanash zt”l, with manuscript glosses in his handwriting
The holy sefer Divrei Chaim on the Torah, first printed in Moncatsch in 1877, is attributed to our holy Rebbe of Sanz, zt”l, who was a disciple of the holy gaon Rabbi Yisrael Ephraim Fishl Sofer zt”l, the Rav of Nanash and author of Apsei Eretz. The sefer bears the signature of the holy Rebbe on the title page and at the end, as well as several glosses in his handwriting. Additionally, his seal is found on the title page.
After his passing, the sefer passed on to his son-in-law and successor, the holy gaon Rabbi Ben Zion Alperin zt”l, whose seal is also found on it.
The holy gaon Rabbi Yisrael Ephraim Fishl Sofer-Shreiber zt”l, Av Beis Din of Nanash (1822–1899), was one of the senior disciples of the Chasam Sofer zt”l, and he was present at the time of his Rebbe’s ascent to the heavens. After the passing of the Chasam Sofer, he continued learning under his son, the Ktav Sofer zt”l. He also learned at the feet of great Chassidic masters, including the holy gaon the Yismach Moshe of Ohel zt”l, the holy gaon the Divrei Chaim of Sanz zt”l, and the holy gaon the Rebbe of Liska, zt”l. He initially served as the Rav of Sharas Patak, and later was appointed as the Av Beis Din of the important city of Nanash, a place full of Torah scholars and scribes, where he served as Rav for many years. In his later years, he began to lead as a Rebbe, and many gathered around him. He was one of the few of the Chasam Sofer’s disciples to lead as a Rebbe. Throughout his life, he often spoke of the holy conduct of his Rebbe, the Chasam Sofer, whom he referred to as "Der Heiligger Rebbe." In his sefer Apsei Eretz, he frequently discusses the teachings of his holy Rebbe.
His son-in-law, the gaon Rabbi Menashe Simcha Friedman, Av Beis Din of Sabranitz, who edited and published the sefer Apsei Eretz, writes in the introduction that the holy gaon the "Yeitav Lev" told him before his wedding, in his holy mouth, about the gaon of Nanash:
“Believe me, among all the Rabbis of the land today, I do not see a greater man than the Rav of Nanash, full of Torah, wisdom, and fear of Heaven, with outstanding stature.”
