R. Hillel “Kolamaya” Lichtenstein/R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger. Historical letter to R. Chaim Sofer/ Machne Chaim. 1865.

R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger begins by apologizing for the delay in replying, and continues that on the coming Sunday, his father in law (i.e. R. Hillel Kolamaya) will be traveling to the town of Siks and will make every effort “to resolve the matter”. Apparently there was a communal issue in Siks which R. Chaim Sofer requested that R. Hillel Kolamaya investigate. R. Akiva Yosef signs with great respect as he was a talmid of R. Chaim Sofer.
R. Hillel then writes to R. Chaim Sofer with unusually warm honorifics, and makes cryptic references to the circumstances of the upcoming journey, and adds that he wishes the titles R. Chaim heaps upon him would be true. He also refers to R. Hillel as “Ish Brisi” and closes with a prayer that his efforts not be in vain.
R. Hillel Kolamaya (1815-1891) was one of the most well-known and distinguished Talmidim of the Chasam Sofer. He was also a close Chossid of the Divrei Chaim. Known as a tremendous Talmid Chochom, he served in various rabbinical positions most notably Kolamaya after which he is known. He was particularly known for his fierce and uncompromising stance against the slightest deviation in Yiddishkeit. He authored numerous important seforim including Maskil El Dol and Avkas Roichel.
R. Akiva Yosef Schlesinger (1838-1922) was a Talmid of the Ksav Sofer, R. Chaim Sofer and the Ma’Haram Schick. He was as an extraordinary Talmid Chochom with a brilliant and original mind proficient in both the revealed and hidden Torah. He was the son in law of R. Hillel Lichtenstein of Kolamaya. In 1870 he emigrated to Yerushalayim where he was known for his original halachic rulings as well as his fierce protection of the old Yishuv from foreign influences.
17 by 20.5 cm. Fine condition.
Opening bid $5000