4 Adar · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Daniel Prostitz - Pressburg
Rabbi Daniel ben Binyamin Wolf Prostitz - Gaon and Kabbalist - Av Beit Din of Pressburg
Yahrzeit - 4 Adar
Place of burial - Chatam Sofer Memorial, Bratislava, Slovakia
Gaon Rabbi Daniel Prostitz was born in Davitzov, near the town of Prostitz in Moravia.
This great Gaon and Kabbalist received his Torah learning from Maharam Barby (Maharam Barbi) - Av Beit Din of Pressburg. He served as a Dayan in Pressburg from the time of Rabbi Meshulam Igra, and over the years was appointed head of the Beit Din of Pressburg. He turned down rabbinic offers from major cities, preferring to remain in the shadow of his friend the Chatam Sofer.
He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yitzchak of Lugash. He taught Torah to outstanding students, who themselves went on to become renowned teachers in Israel.
When the Chatam Sofer became rabbi of Pressburg, Rabbi Daniel Prostitz served as the head of his Beit Din.
In 1811 he published "Sefer Yashar of Rabbeinu Tam," with approbations from the Chatam Sofer and Rabbi Mordechai Benet.
The book "The Triple Cord" relates that it was Rabbi Daniel Prostitz who suggested to the Chatam Sofer the match (for his second marriage) with the daughter of the Gaon Rabbi Akiva Eiger (there is an interesting story about this: the Chatam Sofer replied that he was very interested in the match, but doubted whether Rabbi Akiva would want a son-in-law who was not a great scholar, while Rabbi Akiva gave the same answer - that he was very interested in the match, but feared that the Chatam Sofer was seeking the daughter of a great scholar. Rabbi Daniel answered them: "This is indeed a fitting match, since both of you are interested in it...").
In 1916 - actually six years after the passing of the Chatam Sofer - Rabbi Prostitz passed away at the age of eighty-seven. He was buried beside the Chatam Sofer in the Jewish cemetery of Pressburg.
The text of his tombstone:
"And Daniel, servant of the L-rd, who dwelt here, was at peace / From his youth he was righteous and upright before the L-rd, faithful. / He occupied himself with the commandments of the righteous / And from then on his great name was known at the gates. / The strength of his sharp mind and his righteousness were worthy of praise / And all that was hidden was revealed to Daniel. / Wherever he pitched his tent, there first / His counsel was heard, and he became a source of glory and praise. / In his righteousness he chose the faithful city of Pressburg for his seat / And his light shone there for fifty years. / And from that time he began to teach Torah publicly to his students, clearly and plainly / Day after day they thirsted for the splendor of his words. / They grew and flourished in the fear of Heaven / And from among them were established those who sit on the thrones of the House of Judah. / And at the end of his days he rejoiced to teach the sons of the righteous / The purity of his words he restored with pleasantness. / And he also left as a blessing many novellae on the Torah, on the Shas and the Poskim / And sharp and sweet responsa. / And sayings of legend from the true masters are still preserved in the Holy Writings. / He acted with justice and truth, and the knowledge of Torah was his secret. / And the law of the Torah was in his heart. / However great his greatness, his humility did not desire the seat of a rabbi, not wanting greatness. / He regarded poor and rich alike, to visit and comfort them. / He shared honor with every person. / He pursued peace between man and his wife, and between man and his fellow. / Such were the ways he followed, the short path of the wise. / So great is the greatness of his deeds that his righteousness shall endure from generation to generation. / May his merit shield the community of Yeshurun…"
(From a visit to Pressburg, to the Chatam Sofer Memorial)
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Daniel of Prostitz