Bidspirit auction | Bnei Shmuel, Salonika 1613 –

Bnei Shmuel, Salonika 1613 – First Edition – Signature of Rabbeinu Ha’Chida & Rabbi Yitzchak ben Asher, Son of the Author of 'Or HaSechel' Bnei Shmuel – Teshuvos and halachic insights on the Tur, Choshen Mishpat, authored by the Gaon Rav Shmuel ben Yitzchak Chayun. Printed in Salonika, 1613 – First Edition. The title page bears the signature of the renowned Gaon of Klal Yisrael, Rabbeinu Chaim Yosef David Azulai, the Chida, zt”l. This copy was personally reviewed by the Chida, who frequently cites Bnei Shmuel throughout his seforim and often delves into its deep discussions. In Siman 38, there is a scholarly gloss in writing, possibly in the handwriting of the Chida ’s son, the Gaon Rav Rafael Yeshaya Azulai, Av Beis Din of Ancona (written later in his life; see Rapaheli, Sale 38, Item 113). Another signature appears in the sefer: ”Yitzchak Asher ben Rav Avraham Asher, zt”l” —likely the son of the Gaon Eloki, Rav Avraham ben Asher, author of Or HaSechel (on Midrash Rabbah) and a talmid of Maran the Beis Yosef. It is possible that this sefer remained in the Ben Asher family until the time of the renowned Shadar (emissary) and later Rishon L’Tzion, Rav Chaim Rafael Avraham ben Asher. In 1741, he traveled abroad on behalf of the impoverished of Eretz Yisrael alongside the Chida’s father, the Gaon Rav Yitzchak Zerachia Azulai. It is likely that Rav Chaim Rafael Avraham gifted this sefer to his friend, the Chida’s father, from whom it eventually reached the Chida himself. Notably, the Chida speaks with great reverence of Rav Avraham ben Asher and his commentary Or HaSechel in his monumental work Shem HaGedolim.