The Letters from Pressburg

After the petira of Rav Meir Berabi, the kehilla of Pressburg wished to appoint Rav Yitzchok as their Rav. So as not to delay his decision, they sent a K'sav Rabbonus right away, to the home of the Rosh HaKohol of Sambur. When the Rosh HaKohol received the letter, he decided not to show it to Rav Yitzchok, fearing that he would leave the city. When Pressburg received no reply, they sent a second letter, again to the Rosh HaKohol, and again he did not pass it on.

When the Pressburg kehilla realized that Rav Yitzchok was not responding, they wrote to Rav Meshulom Igra. They told him the whole matter: that they had sent Rav Yitzchok two letters, that he had ignored them, and that they were now offering the Rabbonus to Rav Igra.

Rav Meshulom was tempted to accept the prestigious Rabbonus of Pressburg, but when he heard that Rav Yitzchok had declined it, he wanted to discuss the matter with him and hear his opinion. He traveled to Sambur to meet him. On his arrival, Rav Yitzchok arranged a lavish seuda in honor of the guest, and the leaders of the kehilla attended as well.

During the seuda Rav Meshulom asked Rav Yitzchok why he had not accepted the Rabbonus of Pressburg. Rav Yitzchok looked up in amazement and said that he had never received such an offer. The Rosh HaKohol then stood up and confessed that he was the one who had received and hidden the letters, explaining that he did not want Rav Yitzchok to leave the city.

Rav Yitzchok ruled that the Rabbonus rightfully belonged to Rav Meshulom Igra, for he was the one who had received the K'sav Rabbonus.