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I have a lot of experience learning Gemara and find myself oft dealing with the views of the Achronim to understand the Pshat in Rishonim. Unfortunately, I have inside me a slight aversion to the great Chasam Sofer's style of learning and do not find that he goes according to the normal Pshat. This bothers me because he was a great Zaddik. To counter this feeling I am trying to find out if my feeling has any basis and if yes, where does it come from. So...

  1. Does anyone concur with my feeling about the Chasam Sofer's learning?
  2. If yes, can you link to a source where I can read more about it and what other Gedolim held of his style?
  3. Although not strictly related to the question, was the Chasam Sofer accepted by all or were there any Gedolim who were against him?

I do not mean to belittle the holy Chasam Sofer, I am just interested in finding out more about him. Thanks!

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    Hi, Truth Seeker, and welcome to Mi Yodeya! The Chasam Sofer is definitely known to be a very original and creative thinker. There are many different styles of commentary, and some many not be a good "fit" for one's specific intellectual personality.
    – Dave
    Commented Dec 11, 2012 at 19:32
  • @Dave thanks, but I find the Chasam Sofer different from 95 percent of the other Meforshim!
    – Truth Seeker
    Commented Dec 11, 2012 at 19:34
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    I could give you a whole list of meforshim that are different from 95% (or more!) of the others: The Rogetchover, R' Yaakov Emden, Birkas Shmuel, Kehillos Yaakov, etc. etc. (each in its own way).
    – Dave
    Commented Dec 11, 2012 at 19:39
  • @Dave None of those Meforshim are indeed learnt as Pshat Seforim [save perhaps the Bircas Shmuel]. The Chasam Sofer though is almost universally quoted.
    – Truth Seeker
    Commented Dec 11, 2012 at 19:53
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    I understand if it is not feasible, but it would be helpful if you could give some more details on exactly how you find the Chasam Sofer's approach to be so different from everyone else.
    – LazerA
    Commented Dec 11, 2012 at 22:12

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