Sofer, Moses (1762–1839). Also known as the Hatam Sofer. He served
a community in Hungary and was the most important traditional Jewish scholar in
central Europe for the first four decades of the 19th century. Although more
flexible in practice, Sofer expressed scorn for the Reform movement and its
adherents. He promoted the notion that any innovation was forbidden and that
Jews should be particularly careful to retain cultural aspects of their
identity, including traditional names, the use of Yiddish, and distinctive
garb. Sofer became the figurehead for later generations of Jews who became
known as Ultra-Orthodox and are particularly incensed by the acculturation of
the Modern Orthodox.
Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry