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eger, akiva ben simḤah bunim
sponsa, part 2 (1839); Ḥiddushei R. Akiva Eger (1858); Tosafot
(1841–48 in the Altona edition of the Mishnah); Haggahot,
glosses to the Shulḥan Arukh (1859); responsa (1889); Kitvei
R. Akiva Eger (letters; 1929). In addition many of his letters
and responsa were printed in talmudic journals and in
numerous other works. Much of his work has remained in
manuscript and some has been lost (e.g., his glosses to the
Palestinian Talmud).
Bibliography: L. Wreschner, R. Akiba Eger (Ger., 1906);
idem, in: JJLG, 2 (1904), 27–84; 3 (1905), 1–78; S. Blum, Gedolei Yisrael
(1938); A. Ovadyah (Gottesdiener), Ketavim Nivḥarim, 2 (1944),
77–115; idem, in: Sinai, 1 (1937), 511–50; Posner, in: Koveẓ … Unna
(1940), 147–57; S. Sofer, Iggerot Soferim (1928, pref. 1929), 1–95 (1st
pagination); Leiman, in: L. Jung (ed.), Jewish Leaders (1953), 99–113.
Add. Bibliography: J.S. Sinasohn, Gaon of Posen: A Portrait of
Rabbi Akiva Guens-Eger (1990).
[Akiva Posner]
EGER, AKIVA BEN SIMḤAH BUNIM (c. 1720–1758),
rabbi and author, known as R. Akiva Eger the Elder. A native
of Halberstadt, he was a pupil of Ẓevi Hirsch *Bialeh (Ḥarif)
of Halberstadt and Jacob ha-Kohen Poppers of Frankfurt.
Around 1747, he served as rabbi of Zuelz (Upper Silesia). He
conducted a yeshivah in Halberstadt even during the lifetime
of his teacher Bialeh, and in 1756, became head of the
yeshivah of Pressburg. Eger, who was among the foremost
talmudic scholars of his generation, carried on halakhic correspondence
with Jonathan *Eybeschuetz, Meir *Eisenstadt,
and other prominent rabbis. His novellae on the Talmud,
Mishnah de-Rabbi Akiva, to which are appended a number
of his responsa, were published posthumously (Fuerth, 1781).
Eger had two sons, Judah Loeb, who served as rabbi in Halberstadt,
and Wolf, rabbi of Leipnick.
Bibliography: B.H. Auerbach, Geschichte der israelitischen
Gemeinde Halberstadt (1866), 33, 71; I. Weiss, Avnei Beit ha-Yoẓer
(1900), pt. 2, 35b–37b; L. Wreschner, in: JJLG, 2 (1904), 32f.; P. Frankl,
in: Nachlat Z’wi, 7 (1937), 320; S. Weingarten, in: Arim ve-Immahot
be-Yisrael, 7 (1960), 38.
[Jacob Haberman]
EGER, JUDAH LEIB OF LUBLIN (1816–1888), ḥasidic
ẓaddik, son of Solomon *Eger, grandson of Akiva *Eger the
Younger. Born in Warsaw, Judah studied in Posen under his
grandfather, whom he regarded as an example of moral virtues.
He also studied at the yeshivah of Isaac Meir Alter (later
the founder of the ḥasidic Gur dynasty) in Warsaw, through
whose influence Judah became a Ḥasid. After his marriage
Judah settled in Lublin, and visited Menahem Mendel of
*Kotsk (Kock), continuing as his disciple despite opposition
from his family. When Menahem Mendel secluded himself
from society, Judah became a disciple of Mordecai Joseph
Leiner of Izbica. After his father’s death in 1852 Judah declined
the position of rabbi of Posen. Following the death of the Izbica
ẓaddik in 1854 Judah led his own ḥasidic congregation
in Lublin. It was not until after the death of Menahem Mendel
of Kotsk in 1859, however, that Judah assumed the role of
ẓaddik and propounded his own teachings. Judah Leib’s moral
integrity and conduct won him esteem even from people who
opposed Ḥasidism. He spent a long time over prayer, devoting
himself to it with concentration and fervor, accompanied
by weeping and loud cries. His manner of prayer, which was
contrary to the tradition of his preceptors, aroused severe
criticism. Judah’s teachings on the portions of the law and the
festivals were arranged by his son Abraham in Torat Emet (3
vols., 1889–90) and Imrei Emet (2 vols., 1902–3). Judah corresponded
on halakhic questions with his relatives Abraham
Samuel Benjamin *Sofer in Pressburg and Simeon *Sofer in
Cracow. Abraham succeeded Judah as leader of his disciples
from 1882 to 1914. He was the author of a work on Ḥasidism,
Shevet mi-Yehudah (1922–38). Judah Leib’s grandsons Solomon
and Ezriel Meir continued to lead their congregation
until they perished in the Holocaust.
Bibliography: A.I. Bromberg, Mi-Gedolei ha-Ḥasidut, 13
(1958), 91–158.
EGER, SAMUEL (Perez Sanwel) BEN JUDAH LOEB
(1769–1842), German talmudic scholar and author. Eger, the
grandson of Akiva *Eger the Elder, was born in Halberstadt.
After studying at his father’s yeshivah, in 1809 he became rabbi
of Brunswick where he served until his death. He had one of
the most acute minds of the talmudic scholars of the time,
engaging in halakhic correspondence with his cousin, Akiva
*Eger (the Younger) of Posen, and with Moses *Sofer, who
was related to him by marriage. A staunch opponent of the
Reform movement, he took a firm stand against the innovations
of the Kassel Consistory. Although in principle he was
opposed to changes in the liturgy, he stated that he would not
oppose those changes which were not contrary to the Shulḥan
Arukh. His insistence on the retention of Hebrew in prayer
was motivated by his belief that it was a necessary link uniting
all Jews throughout the world. His published works include
Ateret Paz and Rimmon Pareẓ, novellae on the tractates Beẓah
and Ketubbot (both Altona, 1823); and homiletic discourses
delivered on Sabbath Devarim (1837) and Sabbath Mishpatim
(1829). The bulk of his work, talmudic novellae and responsa,
comprising an extensive correspondence with the rabbis of
Eastern and Western Europe, remains in manuscript.
Bibliography: Herzfeld, in: AZDJ, 6 (1842), 412, 460f.,
762–64; B.H. Auerbach, Geschichte der israelitischen Gemeinde Halberstadt
(1866), 103, 216–22; L. Wreschner, in: JJLG, 2 (1904), 33.
[Jacob Haberman]
EGER, SIMḤAH BUNIM BEN MOSES (1770–1829), Hungarian
talmudist, younger brother of Akiva *Eger the Younger.
Eger was also known by the family names of Guens and
Schlesinger. After studying under his brother Akiva and then
continuing his studies in Krotoszyn, he was appointed rabbi
of Rogasen and in 1810 of Mattersdorf, where he remained
until his death. Some of his novellae are printed in his brother’s
Ḥiddushei Rabbi Akiva Eger (1858) which also includes
their halakhic correspondence. Eger was also in correspon-
218 ENCYCLOPAEDIA JUDAICA, Second Edition, Volume 6