The Chasam Sofer

The Life, leadership and legacy of Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Pressburg.One hundred and eighty years after his passing, he stands tall, a leader for eternity. The Chasam Sofer would reshape the landscape for Torah Jewry, revealing the power and potency of a rov, the impact of a rosh yeshiva. He would provide a paradigm of leadership, fusing courage and humility, selflessness and determination, passion and generosity: and his imprint would endure. It would spread across the region, giving the kehillos of Austro-Hungary an example, a kehilla after which they could model themselves: it was a style of rabbanus, an approach to living. He showed the blessing of a yeshiva, the value of talmidei chachamim- and also, the glory of the ordinary citizens and their role, the preciousness of their minhagim. They longed to imbibe his light: they pleaded with his talmidim to settle among them, to lead them, to protect and defend them. His Torah- psak, drush, hashkafa- became the bedrock of th