Bidspirit auction | Handwritten Poem by the Son-in-Law

Handwritten Poem by the Son-in-Law of the Maharal of Prague * Sefer 'Tzeidah Laderech' contains halachic rulings and customs, by Rabbi Menachem ben Rabbi Zerach, a disciple of Rabbi Yehuda ben Haros”h. This copy is a rare and valuable remnant from one of the greatest rabbinic figures of Bohemia, the son-in-law and disciple of the illustrious Maharal of Prague, the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak son of Rabbi Shimshon Katz of Prague, whom the Shela HaKadosh wished to become his son-in-law!! (As testified by his great-grandson, the author of 'Chavas Yair'). On leaf 12b is a brilliant handwritten poem composed by Rabbi Yitzchak extolling the praises of this work, signed with an acrostic of his full name, and previously unknown until now. The poem is divided into three columns, with the author's name embedded within the marked letters of the first two: ”Yitzchak ben Rabbi Shimshon HaCohen, of blessed memory.” The poem is dated to the year [5]369 (1609) equal to the gematria of ”VeTzeidah LaDerech, ” seemingly written during the lifetime of the Maharal of Prague, who passed away at the end of Elul 1609! On the title page is a early signature (partially erased): ”… also in this sefer Hashem has graced me […] (perhaps beneath the erasure was written: Yitzchak) of the holy community of Vienna” – where Rabbi Yitzchak served as Av Beis Din. The handwriting of this signature resembles the handwriting of the poem. In addition, there are several other important early signatures that remain unidentified, among them a particularly early and intriguing inscription: ”This sefer belongs to the brilliant… Rabbi Yehuda …” (possibly referring to the Maharal of Prague?) A remarkably valuable discovery! The illustrious gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Katz (d. 1624), Av Beis Din of Nikolsburg and Vienna, was one of Prague’s leading rabbinic figures of Bohemia during its golden era, alongside Torah giants such as his father-in-law, the Maharal of Prague, and the Maharsha. He was the Maharal’s son-in-law both in his first and second marriage. In 1573, he was appointed Av Beis Din of Nikolsburg, succeeding his father-in-law, who had moved to Prague. He later served as a Rav in Vienna before returning to Prague, where he was appointed Dayan. His signature appears on approbations for various sefarim alongside his great father-in-law (Lechem Rav, Prague 1609); Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, author of 'Levushim'; the Maharsha; and Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, author of 'Kli Yakar' (Raavan, Prague 1624). He also edited, published, and proofread many sefarim in Prague, including a drasha on Torah and mitzvos authored by his father-in-law, the Maharal of Prague (1593). Rabbi Yitzchak was known for his extraordinary poetry, which appears in several sefarim he edited - including those of the Maharal himself. His great-grandson, the author of 'Chavas Yair', described him (in the introduction to 'Chavas Yair'):  ”He was a master of eloquence - unparalleled in his generation!” The Maharal himself refers to him with great reverence at the beginning of several teshuvos addressed to Rabbi Yitzchak: ”My esteemed friend, the distinguished Rav, my son-in-law, the great Rabbi Yitzchak Katz.” ”My lofty and elevated son-in-law.” (Sefer HaZikaron L’HaGaon Rabbi Yitzchak Zolty, Jerusalem 1987, chapter on Teshuvos Maharal of Prague). Rabbi Yitzchak is the progenitor of generations of Torah scholars, with thousands of great Torah leaders descending from his two sons, Rabbi Chaim, Av Beis Din of Frankfurt and Pozna, and Rabbi Naftali, Av Beis Din of Pinsk and Lublin, as well as from his daughter, Rebbetzin Chava, whom the Shela HaKadosh sought to marry. Among his most famous descendants: Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of 'Semichas Chachamim' (grandson of Rabbi Naftali) Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach, author of 'Chavas Yair' (grandson of Rebbetzin Chava, who named his sefer after her) On his tombstone, it is inscribed: ”Numerous books he produced, innovated, and refined, arranged with every dimension of profound wisdom.” However, from of all his Torah writings, only the following are known to us: a brief commentary on ‘Midrash Shocher Tov’ (Prague, 1613), additions to ‘Chatan Damim’ (Prague, 1606), and additions to ‘Pa’aneach Rozo’ (Prague, 1607). This poem stands as another highly exalted remnant from this extraordinary genius! —--------- The title page contains several important early signatures that are unidentified. Among them is a particularly early and intriguing inscription:  ”This sefer belongs to the brilliant… Rabbi Yehuda…” Another early signature, partially erased, reads:  ”... and also with this sefer, Hashem has graced me… of the holy community of Vienna.”  Vienna is the city where Rabbi Yitzchak served as Av Beis Din. There are several early glosses throughout the sefer. See another poem by Rabbi Yitzchak Katz in the same style A complete and rare copy.