The Satmar Dynasty – Sefer Toldos Adam,
First Edition – Jerusalem 1845
Promise of Satmar Ruv: "Purchasing this Sefer Brings Blessing into One’s Home"
Sefer Toldos Adam, chidushim on sugyos haShas, authored by the HaGaon Hakedosh Rabbi Moshe Dovid Ashkenazi, Av Beis Din of Tolcsva and Rav of the holy city of Tzfas—the ancestor of all the tzaddikim of the Sighet dynasty. First edition, printed in Yerushalayim, 5605, by the Gaon Hamechaber, Zy”a.
"It is well known that the holy tzaddik, the Yitav Lev, Zt”l, would speak in wonderment of his Torah, as he was supported at his table for several years and basked in his Torah wisdom. It is only proper to spread his sacred words and lofty pilpulim of Torah lishmah, with kedushah and taharah, throughout the world. And by purchasing such holy seforim from previous generations, one brings brachah into his home."
(Maran Rabbeinu Hakadosh of Satmar, Zy”a, in his haskamah to the reprinted edition of this sefer, published in 5728 by the Rebbe, Shlit”a)
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An Exalted Copy Owned by Gedolei Ungarin
This esteemed copy was in the possession of several Gedolei Torah of Hungary.
The sefer was originally owned by the Gaon Rabbi Elazar Fürst, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Dindish, a son-in-law of the Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Lipmann Stein, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Szelish and Serdeheli, and a talmid of the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Moshe Perlès, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Bonyhád.
(In the sefer Ir Shushan, authored by his father-in-law, Rabbi Eliezer Lipmann, a semichah is printed from Rabbi Yitzchak Moshe of Bonyhád to his talmid, Rabbi Elazar Fürst, where he extols his greatness in Torah and his yiras Shamayim preceding his wisdom.**)
Rabbi Elazar Fürst later gifted the sefer to his brother-in-law, the Gaon Rabbi Avraham Aschi Hershler, Zt”l, one of the distinguished talmidei chachamim in the famed ir v’eim b’Yisroel, Pressburg.
Rabbi Avraham Aschi then traded the sefer with the Gaon Hakedosh, Rabbi Avraham Chiya Hirsch, Zt”l, Raavad of Sered, one of the preeminent talmidim of Maran the Chasam Sofer, Zy”a. The Gaon Rabbi Avraham Shaag writes about him (Shu”t Ohel Avraham, Siman 28):
"Gedolim ma’asei Chiya—he delved into the depths of halachah, and his wondrous words illuminated the beis medrash."
The Gaon the Shevet Sofer of Pressburg, Zt”l, writes about him:
"I have heard of his renown and praises from my holy father, my master and teacher, the great gaon, Zt”l [the Ksav Sofer], as he was among his acquaintances and confidants from when he learned and stood among the walls of the great beis medrash of my holy grandfather, my master and teacher, the great gaon, the Chasam Sofer, Zt”l, and he poured water upon his hands."
After being in the possession of Rabbi Avraham Chiya, the sefer passed on to his mechutan and brother-in-law, the Gaon Hakedosh Rabbi Akiva Fischer, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Tata, another one of the illustrious talmidim of the Chasam Sofer. It was handed over by his son, the Gaon Hatzadik Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Fischer, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Weiner Neustadt, who was a son-in-law of his uncle, Rabbi Aba Chiya. The sefer was also in the possession of his brother, the Gaon Hatzadik Rabbi Amram Fischer, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Jenke.
Within the pages of the sefer, there are important handwritten glosses from two different scholars.
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The Gaon Hakedosh Rabbi Moshe Dovid Ashkenazi, Zt”l, Av Beis Din of Tolcsva-Tzfas (1734–1856)
At a young age, he was accepted as Rav of Tolcsva, where he served for forty years. In 5604, at the age of seventy, he ascended to Eretz Yisroel and was among the founders of the chassidic community in Tzfas. He authored Sefer Toldos Adam, as well as Sefer Be’er Sheva on the Torah.
His son was the Gaon Hakedosh Rabbi Yoel Ashkenazi, Zt”l, author of Shu”t Mahar”i Ashkenazi. His illustrious son-in-law was the Gaon Hakedosh, the luminary of Klal Yisroel, Maran the Yitav Lev, Zy”a. All the tzaddikim of the holy Sighet dynasty are among his descendants.
