Chatam Sofer

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Rav Moshe Sofer (Schreiber) was born in 1763 in Frankfurt. He is generally considered to be the leader of the third strain of Judaism during the enlightenment era. While the Neo-Orthodox sought to engage the maskilim (enlighteners) and to directly combat them, Sofer adopted the view of "Chadash assur min HaTorah" - all that is novel (in this case, in religious practice), is forbidden by the Torah. His main work is a collection of his responsa, encompassing several volumes, and he also authored a commentary to the Shulchan Aruch. His students included his son, known as the Ktav Sofer. He passed away in Pressburg in 1840.