The Chasam Sofer waited a half year to give an important verdict
Hagaon Reb Mordechai ben Reb Avraham Banet achieved great fame during his 40-year tenure (1789–1829) as the Rabbi of Nikolshburg (Mikulov), and head of its large Yeshiva, and the chief rabbi of Moravia. He was a student of Reb Mayer Barbi and a close friend of the Chasam Sofer who was younger than him. His seforim are Biur Mordechai (1805–1813), Magen Avos on the 39 Melachos (1835); Shaalos and Teshuvos Har Hamor (1862) and Parashat Mordekhai (1889); Techeles Mordechai (1892); Machsheves Mordechai (1902); Divre Mordechai (1906); and Chidushei Maharam Benet, published in two volumes (1988, 1995). August 12, 1829 age of 76.
Reb Mordechai Banet used to go every summer to visit Karlsbad, Karlovy Vary, (Czech Republic) where the fresh air and warm mineral baths were an attraction for many Rabbanim, who healed their aching bodies.
Every summer, Reb Mordechai Banet would travel to Karlsbad, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), where numerous Rabbanim would come to recover their ailing bodies in the warm mineral springs and fresh air. At the age of 76, Reb Mordechai became unwell and passed away on 13 days of Av 5589. The closest cemetery was located in the Czech town of Hroznetn, formerly known as Lichtenstadt, Germany. In his will, Reb Mordechai specified that he should be buried in Nikolshburg. But after he passed away in Karlsburg, the government refused to let him go and be buried in Nikolshburg, which was a lengthy journey, unless they embalmed the body, which is against Jewish law. and not a tribute to a distinguished Rav. Thus, the Rabbanim determined that the Rav would be buried at Lichtenshtadt, which was only two hours away from Karlsburg.
Thousands of people attended the burial, where the Rav was treated with the dignity he deserved and the Rabbanim offered their eulogies. After the Rav was carried to Lichtenshtadt, the local Rav offered a eulogy. Reb Mordechai was buried in the community cemetery, subject to the stipulation that he remain there for a minimum of six months, after which the Rabbanim would make the final decision.
In the meanwhile, news reached Nikolshburg of their beloved Rav's passing and his burial in Lichtenstadt. The general population started to grieve, and several tributes and eulogies were deliivered. This posed a major problem as it was known of the will of the Rav was to be buried in his hometown. They decided that they would seek the opinion of a few great Rabbanim: Reb Akiva Eiger the chief Rabbi of Pozen, and the Chasam Sofer the Rav in Pressburg, and the Dayanim in Prague. However the Rabbanim weren’t able to come up with a positive verdict. [The Chasam Sofer in vol 6 chapter 37, discusses the difficulties of the case.] Therefore, with the lack of a concrete verdict allowing the people of Nikolshburg to force the people of Lichtenstadt to relinquish the body of Reb Mordechai, the case was rested for the time being.
The month of Adar 5560 was nearing, and it was a half year after the passing of the Rav, and the Chasam Sofer felt innerly as if he was being told to review again the Halacha of bringing the body of Reb Mordechai Banet from Lichtenshtadt to Nikolsburg. The Chasam Sofer sat down with his Seforim and immersed imself in the Seforim. Hour after hour passed, and finally by day break, the Chasam Sofer gave a sigh, and said: “After reviewing all the Seforim, I am willing to give my verdict to allow the people of Nikolshburg to demand from the people of Lichtenstadt to allow the body of Reb Mordechai to be taken to Nikolshburg.” The Chasam Sofer wrote a responsa and verdict, and delivered it to the Beis Din of Nikolsburg.
With the verdict in their possession, the Dayanim of Nikolshburg went with a delegation of prominent members of the Kehila, and set out to Lichtenshtadt, where they met the Dayanim there. After reviewing the verdict of the Chasam Sofer, they agreed to allow the body of Reb Mordechai to be taken from Lichtenshtadt to Nikolshburg. The people of Lichtenstadt proceeded with the Levaya of the Rav, and on Friday, 12 days of Adar 5560, the casket of the Rav arrived in Nikolshburg, and due to the timing, the rush was on to bury the Rav before Shabbos.
The Chasam Sofer began to wonder: Why didn’t he come up with this verdict, six months ago, when it was obvious that it was Halachically feasible to bring the Rav back to Nikolshburg. Besides, he was amazed why he felt the urge and obligation to review the Halacha, just that night? This bothered him greatly, as he knew this was a decree from Hashem!
The Chasam Sofer dozed off on his Sefer as he contemplated and waited for heaven's response. Rav Mordechai Banet suddenly visited the Chasam Sofer in his dream, who said, "I came to answer and solve your predicament." The Rav proceeded, saying, "I wasn't really happy about being offered a Shidduch, the daughter of the Rav from Lichtenshtadt, but I went along with it and became engaged to her when I was 18." But I was having trouble falling asleep at night, and I kept getting advice to call off the engagement. I went to the father and broke the news that the engagement was off. Despite her tremendous pain, the girl agreed to call off the engagement. But as a punishment from Hashem, I had to spend six months buried in Lichtenstein next to the woman I was engaged to! As a result, you were unable to reach a decision until after the six months had gone. You will discover that I was buried next to the Rav's daughter if you go and look for myself. The Chasam Sofer realized that everything that had happened had been planned out precisely by Hashem and awoke from his dream, perspiring from emotion. The Chasam Sofer visited the Lichtenstadt cemetery, and discovered that it was accurate and was relieved that he had made the correct decision.
