Last week I posted some thoughts in response to a public lecture given by Rabbi Reuvain Mendlowitz regarding Ksav Chabad (the Alter Rebbe's ksav). I felt he did not represent the issue fairly, and since I had received questions about it from a number of people I felt it made sense to write a general response. After I posted my response on this forum, Rabbi Mendlowitz reached out to me by email and we ended up having a respectful and productive email exchange regarding the relevant issues surrounding Ksav Chabad. His position is a lot clearer to me now, and I think he also took certain things on board that I clarified with him. The purpose of the Stam Forum (at least back in it's heyday before all the whats app groups took over) was to connect sofrim from around the world, to promote achdus and build bridges, as well as to offer support and advice. In that spirit, I felt I should write a follow up post, to clarify some of the issues and misconception...
There is the famous Tshuvas HaRosh who says how the ksavim of different places differ and that they are all kasher. Also see the first tshuva in Shu"t Mishnas R' Aharon (Kotler). Also see R' Moshe Shternbuch who discusses a ksav Ari sefer for those who are normally noheig to use ksav Beis Yosef, both in Tshuvos v'Hanhagos and in Hilchos haGr"a uMinhagav.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing these Teshuvas out. The one from the Rosh is definitely a famous one and a point I often say over. I'm in particular interested in the Teshuvas that discuss the Ashkanazi/Sephardi issue. I know there are a few from the more "famous" and often quoted achronim (Chasam Sofer? Noda B'Yehuda? Others...?) I'm however not sure exactly thus why I am asking...
Deleteפתחי שערים הקדמה דף כ
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9708&st=&pgnum=26
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ReplyDeleteRav Shternbuch has a detailed section in Stam Kehilchasan on this and is really a must read to understand the history and halacha of Velish, Ari and Bais Yosef.
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