The Handwriting of the Chasam Sofer

The Chasam Sofer was known to write his teshuvos very quickly, with no second thoughts or regrets. Once an issue involving an agunah was brought to him, and as usual he wrote a quick reply and gave it to his son, Rav Shimon, to deliver to the Beis Din in Nikolsburg. Rav Shimon thought that since the matter was so serious, perhaps his father had rushed and might want to change something, so he held off on delivering it.

A few days later the Chasam Sofer asked whether he had delivered it, and his son answered that he had not and explained why. The Chasam Sofer told him, "In every generation Hashem puts a Gadol HaDor who has siyata dishmaya, and the psak will be according to Hashem's will. In this generation I was chosen for this task. Please deliver it immediately."

When the long teshuvah arrived at the Beis Din of Nikolsburg, Rav Mordechai Bennet opened it and read only the last few lines. The Beis Din asked why he had not read the whole psak. He answered, "In truth I only need to see the last line, whether the Chasam Sofer said muttar or assur, and that is enough. But I read a few of the last lines because reading the handwriting of the Chasam Sofer brings great yiras Shomayim."