Rav Moshe Charif was the son-in-law of Rav Mordechai Mochiach, Av Beis Din of Pressburg (yahrzeit 19 Iyar), and a descendant of the Tosefos Yom Tov and the Toras Chaim. His son-in-law was Rav Yitzchok Teomim Frenkel, a grandson of the Kikayon DeYona. Rav Moshe served as Rosh Yeshiva of Lvov and later was appointed Av Beis Din of Pressburg.
Rav Moshe was a great genius and very sharp (“charif”), who served his kehilla loyally for 28 years. At the end of his life, when his strength ebbed and his eyesight grew dim, he agreed to the congregants’ advice and appointed an assistant: Rabbi Akiva Eiger (yahrzeit 15 Elul), author of Mishnas Rabbi Akiva. He was a one-of-a-kind individual, and a pure and holy man, as evidenced by the inscription on his headstone: “When Rebbe passed away, humility, sanctity and awe of heaven passed away with him.” Rav Moshe Charif passed away on 3 Elul. תקיח/5518
