During the 20 years of its existence (5659-5678, 1899-1918), the Torah periodical VaYelaket Yosef was one of the most important of its time. It was eagerly sought after by students of Torah. Leading rabbis publisheed their Hiddushim in Aggada as well as in practical and theoretical Halakha.
Its editor, Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz, a son of Rabbi Naftali HaKohen Schwarts, rabbi of Mad, Hungary and a grandson of Rabbi Abraham Yehudah HaKohen Schwartz, author of responsa Kol Aryeh, was still a young man when he established the periodical, which appeared twice a month. It was published in Bonyhad, Hungary, where Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz had settled after marrying a daughter of Rabbi Eliezer Chaim Deutsch, the rabbi of the local Jewish community.
In 1924, Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz was chosen rabbi of the Mahzikei Torah congregation of Oradea (Grosswardein). He served there until his death in Auschwitz on the 9th of Sivan 5704(1944) at the age of 67.
He was the author of a variety of books including two volumes of responsa: Ginzei Yosef and Vayitzbor Yosef, and Zikkaron Lemoshe, about the Hatam Sofer published on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death.
Last year Rabbi Eliezer Ehrenreich, head of the Kol Aryeh Research Institute of New York and a nephew of Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz, reprinted all the issues of VaYelaket Yosef which appeared during the first two years (5659-5660) of its publication. The beautifully produced volume which also featured invaluable indices of subjects and authors, prepared by Rabbi Ehrenreich’s sons was exceptionally well received by lovers of rabbinical literature. The reception, the volume was accorded strengthened Rabbi Ehrenreich in his determination to publish all issues of VaYelaket Yosef for the two fold purpose to make the periodical which is now very rare– available to large circles of Torah students and to set a memorial to its contributors, especially to those, who like its editor, had lost their lives in the Holocaust.
A short time ago another volume of VaYelaket Yosef, continuing the issues which appeared in 5661-5662 came off the press. The new volume, which likes its predecessor includes indices of subjects and authors is a treasure trove of Torah. Contributing were rabbis and scholars not only of Hungary where the periodical was published but also of other lands of the Austro Hungarian Empire, such as Galicia and Moravia and from foreign countries: Land of Israel, Russia, Germany Switzerland. Even rabbis residing in the United States sent articles to VaYelaket Yosef.
The periodical also published Divrei Torah from manuscripts left behind by leading rabbis of former generations such as the the Hatam Sofer and the Sha’agat Aryeh.
Rabbinic authors, printers and publishers publicized in its columns the appearance of new Sefarim In one of the issues reproduced in the new volume, is found a lengthy announcement by Rabbi M.S. Arenson of Kovno, offering for sale his translations from German into Hebrew of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Horeb, Nineteen Letters and commentary on the Pentateuch (with explanations of the Haftarot by R. Mendel Hirsch).
The popularity of the periodical can be gauged from the fact that whenever a rabbi published a note drawing attention to a seemingly strange of puzzling passage in rabbinic literature, the editor received numerous letters suggesting a solution of the problem.
Many issues featured a Luah HaTshuva, in which the editor replied to letters from contributors and readers.
The issue of Rosh Hodesh Adar 5661 (1901) opened with an elegy bewailing the death of Baron Shim’on Binyamen Zeev (Wilhelm Karl) Rothschild of Frankfurt, known as “The frumme Rothschild.” The elegy speaks of the late Baron’s deep faith in G-d, his benevolence and love of Torah: “He tithed all his income, helped thousands, came to the aid of people in need and in distress and supported generously scholars, writers and ‘learners.” He was also of assistance to the editor of VaYelaket Yosef…”
The elegy was composed by Mo’ah (Mordechai Weissman-Chajes) a Galician Torah scholar and Hebrew writer, who was then residing in Vienna.
The Jewish Press, Friday, January 22, 1993
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