Rav Moshe Sofer, the Chasam Sofer of Pressburg, learned under Rav Nosson Adler of Frankfurt and Rav Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz, the Ba’al Haflo’a (a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch). He was born in Frankfurt-am-Mein. His first position was as Rav in Boskovitz in Moravia. He married the daughter of the Rav of Prosnitz and was supported by his brother-in-law, Rav Hirsch. Unfortunately, Rav Hirsch eventually lost all his money, and the Chasam Sofer took a position as Rav in the Moravian city of Dresnitz. After five years in Dresnitz, Rav Moshe moved to Mattersdorf. The Chasam Sofer was appointed Rav of Pressburg in Tishrei of 1806, and he occupied that position for thirty-three years. After the petira of his first wife, Rav Moshe married the daughter of Rav Akiva Eiger. She bore the previously childless Chasam Sofer three sons and seven daughters.
HIS SEGULOS:
The Chasam Sofer’s Segulah For Yeshuos
Rav Shlomo Sofer, son of the Kesav Sofer, and grandson of the Chasam Sofer testified that they continued this custom in his family based on what his grandfather, the author of the Chasam Sofer, established.
The Chasam Sofer’s custom was that whenever he needed a yeshuah –some salvation in any matter, be it large or small, would donate charity for the sake of the ascension of the pure soul of the chassid, Rav Akiva of Frankfurt.
He [Rav Akiva of Frankfurt himself] was the first to establish the kupos (the tzedakah pushkas). He enjoined others to give a donation of tzedakah le’illui nishmaso at any time of danger or disaster - Heaven save us - to effect salvation. (Chut HaMeshulash p. 197)
The Chasam Sofer’s Segulah For Lost Objects And Hatzlacha
In the name of the Chasam Sofer [a segulah] for success in finding lost objects, it is good to make a vow [to give tzedakah ] l’illui nishmas HaGaon HaKadosh Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt. (Rav Yitzchok Weiss of Verboy, in the name of an anonymous talmid chacham who was a disciple of the Chasam Sofer. Alef Kesav vol. 2p. 840)
