Thousands Descend on Pressburg for Chasam Sofer’s Yohrtzeit

By: Boropark24 staff 

Once again, the city of Pressburg, the city that hosted the Yeshiva, and the incredible leadership of the holy Chasam Sofer, brought together thousands of Yidden from throughout the world and from all walks of life for the auspicious day of 25 Tishrei, the yahrzeit of the Chasam Sofer. 

Close to 200 years after his passing, Klal Yisroel retains a special place in its heart of the Chasam Sofer who espoused an uncompromising approach to Yiddishkeit which saved Hungarian Jewry during his time and after it, and its influence is felt to this day. In addition, tens of thousands of Yidden around the world continue to be inspired by the incredible rich library of seforim authored by the Chasam Sofer on all areas of Torah–many of which have been reprinted in a beautiful format.

Tens of thousands of Yidden from around the world have always striven to be at the holy kever on the day of the yohrtziet, however, the journey to Hungary, and the stay in Pressburg itself, turned out to be an exhausting experience, with minimal accommodations, not even a warm coffee with which to refresh oneself before visiting the tziyun. 

However, in recent years, a great change has taken place, as the Pressburger Rov of London, a descendant of the Chasam Sofer, has invested incredible toil in establishing a center which would welcome the many guests in a proper manner. After much effort, the rov was able to procure a large building adjacent to the tziyun, a perfect location for the grand new Merkaz Chasam Sofer, which will provide all the conveniences to the arriving guests. 

The building is a three-story edifice, currently being renovated and transformed to include a beis medrash full-stocked with seforim and a sefer Torah, a coffee room with hot and cold beverages and refreshments which will be open and available throughout the day and night, and there is also a large space where meals are hosted a number of times throughout the year. 

Future plans also include a magnificent mikvah (the plans for this are in the final stages), and a state-of-the-art kitchen that will serve meals without needing to transport them from other cities. 

The number of visitors on the day of the yahrzeit is growing with each passing year–despite the fact that it takes place only days after an exhausting Yom Tov. Historians report that a pilgrimage like there was this past year, 5783, has not been seen since before WWII! 

Throughout the twenty-four hours of 25 Tishrei, thousands of Yidden descended upon the tziyun–with many Admorim, Rabbonim, and chashuvim among them. Askonim worked with local police and officials to ensure order in the entire area, and arranged a magnificent seuda in honor of the yahrzeit, with refreshments served throughout the entire time in a generous fashion, enabling the thousands who arrived to do so with peace of mind, pouring out their hearts on behalf of themselves, their families, and all of Klal Yisroel. 

Surely, the zechus of the holy Chasam Sofer will bring many brochos to all those who take part in easing the way for Klal Yisroel to visit the holy tziyun on the yahrzeit and around the year.