HUNGARIAN WOODEN MIZRACH.

AUCTION 61 | Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic Art and Ceremonial Objects

Back to Catalogue Download Catalogue

<Previous Lot

/471

Next Lot>

Lot 351

HUNGARIAN WOODEN MIZRACH.

Elegantly carved wooden shield with central Star-of-David and Hebrew ‘Mizrach’ with scrollwork border and arched pediment with two painted inserts: Portraits of Rabbis Akiva Eger and Moshe Sofer (the Chasam Sofer) with gold-lettered captions. On reverse, small window reveals manuscript Hebrew phrase on vellum: “Chodosh Asur Min HaTorah.” Hanging element on reverse. 15.5 x 13.5 inches.

20th century:

Est: $3,000 - $5,000

PRICE REALIZED $3,000

Interestingly, subjects of portraits are father-in-law and son-in-law, with the Chasam Sofer (1762-1839) marrying R’ Eger’s (1761-1838) widowed daughter. The Talmudic term “Chodosh Asur Min HaTorah,” literally “New is forbidden by the Torah” was the Chasam’s Sofer motto in expressing his opposition to any philosophic, social or practical change to customary Orthodox practices, and thus successfully keeping the Reform movement and its associated beliefs out of Pressburg, the city he led for over three decades.