On the occasion of the anniversary of Rabbenu's passing, the "Minchat Elazar", ztz”l, on the 2nd of Sivan
Since when did the book Zera Shimshon begin to spread? Was this book known in previous generations? These questions are constantly posed to the rabbis of the World Organization for the Dissemination of the Torah of Zera Shimshon. Indeed, it has been proven that the book was already known and highly valued even in previous generations. In many Jewish communities it was a fundamental work and recognized as a book of segulah (propitious for salvations). This was testified by Rav Y.C. of Holon, shlit”a, a native of the prestigious community in Lebanon, who, upon first encountering the "blue book" while visiting the Bet Hamidrash of Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer, Israel, was deeply moved to see that "the crown had returned to its place," and that Zera Shimshon could be purchased in a beautiful and refined edition.
Also in the regions of Ashkenazi countries there are traces of Jews who bought the book and studied it as a segulah, such as a Jew named Rabbi Yosef Yehuda Fein, who as early as 5654 (1894) wrote the following in his copy of the Zera Shimshon: "In honor of my Rock and Creator, I bought this holy book with my money for 10 silver rubles, on the Thursday of the Parsha of Toledot, 5654. May the merit of the sacred author intercede for me so that I may receive from Heaven a salvation with descendants that last. Amen. Yosef Yehuda Fein."
The Gaon Haggadol, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, ztz”l, testified that the study of the book is a proven segulah for many years. He also pointed out that his father, the Steipler, author of the Kehilot Yaakov, zal, had this book in his possession.
One of the most interesting and fascinating finds is the study of the holy book Zera Shimshon by Rabbenu, the great leader of his generation, the Gaon Hakadosh, the author of the Minchat Elazar of Munkatch, ztz”l. Not only did he study it, but he even wrote corrections and annotations in the margins of his copy of the Zera Shimshon. The Minchat Elazar was one of the greats of Hungarian Jewish orthodoxy, a Sage among Sages and holy man, legislator and halachic pillar, defender of the people and spiritual guide, in whose light tens of thousands were led.
A few years ago, his grandson, the current Rebbe of Munkatch, shlit”a, revealed an interesting fact about his illustrious grandfather, the Gaon Hakadosh, author of the Minchat Elazar. According to him, his grandfather studied and dealt with the works of Rabbeinu (the Zera Shimshon). And the current Rebbe of Munkatch added that he owns a copy of the Zera Shimshon with the handwritten signature of his grandfather, the Minchat Elazar. He testified: "Of course, the book Zerah Shimshon is efficacious as a segulah for obtaining salvation. In my personal archive I have a copy of the first edition of the Zera Shimshon with the signature of the holy Rabbenu, author of the Minchat Elazar, ztz”l, and that book contains many corrections and additions that my grandfather, the Gaon Hakadosh, wrote in its pages. You can tell that he studied a lot of this book. This shows that even in past generations they were already concerned with this sacred book." The facts speak for themselves: even before the war, the great Sages of Israel studied the works of Rabbenu the Zera Shimshon.
Rabbenu, the Minchat Elazar, was born on Thursday, the 5th of Tevet, 5632 (1872) in the city of Stryzów, son of Rav Hagadol author of the Darke Teshuvah of Munkatch, ztz”l, son of Rav Hagadol, author of the Shem Shlomo of Munkatch, ztz”l, son of Rabbi Hakadosh, Rabbi Elazar of Lancut, ztz”l, son of Rav Hakadosh, author of the Bené Issachar of Dinov, ztz”l.
In the year 5664 (1904) he was appointed Raavad (ראב"ד: president of the rabbinical court) of Munkatch. On the death of his father in 5674 (1914), he succeeded him as Rebbe and head of the city's rabbinical court. He is the author of the following works: the responsas Minchat Elazar, Ot Chayim on the halachot of tefillin and circumcision, Shaare Issachar on the months of the year, Divrei Torah (nine volumes), Chaim Veshalom on the Torah, Chamishah Maamarot and others. The Minjat Elazar died on Monday, 2 Sivan 5697 (1937) and was buried in the city of Munkatch. May his merit protect us and all of Israel.
