Bidspirit auction | Rare Halachic Ruling by the

Rare Halachic Ruling by the Pri Megadim Original Signature Frankfurt, 1792 * Sacred and rare. A halachic ruling concerning inheritance and the appointment of guardians for orphans, issued in the Beis Din of the renowned gaon, “the father of hora'ah  upon whom all of Klal Yisrael relies”, Rabbi Yosef Teumim, author of Pri Megadim, signed with his holy handwritten signature. In the margins of the ruling is his handwritten signature: “The words of the young Yosef Teumim, who dwells here in the holy congregation of Frankfurt an der Oder, may the Exalted One establish it, Amen.” The date of the ruling is the fifteenth of Adar 1792 — less than two months before his passing. Rabbi Yosef Teumim (1727–1792) was one of the greatest halachic authorities of recent generations. The Maharsham called him “The father of halachic rulings, after whom all of Klal Yisrael follows.” The Rebbe of Sanz wrote in Shu”t Divrei Chaim: “His words are always radiant and aflame with wondrous holiness… and who in this generation can properly recount his praise?” The sefer Pri Megadim on Shulchan Aruch; Orach Chaim and Yoreh De’ah, earned lasting renown. Immediately upon its publication, it was accepted as a sefer yesod in halacha, relied upon by leading poskim and consistently used in psak halacha through the generations. Some rabbanim would not grant semicha to anyone who was not proficient in Pri Megadim on Yoreh De’ah. There is hardly a page in the Mishnah Berurah that does not cite the Pri Megadim in Orach Chaim for practical halachic rulings, as the Chafetz Chaim wrote in his introduction to the Mishnah Berurah: “And his rulings became widespread throughout Israel. The Pri Megadim was born in the town of Striz, close to Lemberg. He was the son of Rabbi Meir Teumim, who served as Maggid Meisharim in the esteemed congregations of Lubartow and Lvov, and was the author of the sefer Rav Peninim. He dedicated his life to the study of Torah and the service of Hashem in both Lvov and Berlin. In 1781, he was appointed Rabbi of Frankfurt an der Oder, where he served until his passing on Wednesday, the tenth of Iyar, 1792. His words are written in exceedingly concise fashion, and in the words of the Maharsham, “not many are wise enough to find the opening to grasp the depth of his understanding.” Over the generations, many works have been written to explain his words and his hints. Besides Pri Megadim, he authored many other sefarim, among them: Rosh Yosef on Maseches Chullin and Seder Moed, Poras Yosef, Ginas Veradim, Shoshanas HaAmakim, and others. Content: A long and exceedingly detailed halachic ruling concerning inheritance — regarding what to do with the estate, how to divide the property, the sustenance of the wife and children, and the appointment of guardians for the orphans. Also signed are the following dayanim of the Beis Din: Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Mirlesh of London, Av Beis Din of Schwerin and Wershna, author of the sefer Mispar Tzeva'am (Berlin 1789), son of Rabbi Aharon Mirlesh, son of Rabbi Meshulam Zalman Mirlesh, who was the son-in-law of the Chacham Tzvi. He passed away in 1814. His son was Rabbi Aharon Mirlesh, Av Beis Din of Chentshin, author of the sefer Beis Aharon (Berlin 1830). Rabbi Yosef, Av Beis Din of Mezritch and its surroundings (also signed with the above as dayanim of Frankfurt an der Oder in the commentary attributed to the Rashbam on Tehillim, Berlin 1794). Also signed are: the widow, the guardians, and the dignitary Rabbi Yeshaya Segal Horowitz (likely a descendant of the Shlah HaKadosh, signed as one of the community dignitaries on the takkanos of the community of Frankfurt an der Oder in 1774; see Shenot Dor Vador vol. I, p. 393 ff.). Frankfurt an der Oder, 1792. Page Count: [1] leaf. Size: 21.5 × 35 cm, written on both sides.  Condition: Good. Provenance : The estate of Rabbi Refael Reichman z”l Testimonies to the Pri Megadim’s Greatness by Chassidic Greats When the Pri Megadim came to Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, ”he honored him greatly and said to him that it was proclaimed in Heaven that he should merit to establish halachah in accordance with his view, for he studies Torah in purity for the sake of the Eternal One” (Mahar”i of Komarno in the introduction to Atzei Eden on Mishnayos Zeraim). “His words everywhere are a balm for the eyes, and his words are radiant and aflame with wondrous holiness and fervor in pilpul (analysis and debate), sevara (reasoning), and breadth of knowledge, and who in this generation can properly recount his praise?” (Shu”t Divrei Chaim, vol. II, Yoreh Deah, §24). The Avnei Nezer said in the name of his father-in-law, the Kotsker Rebbe, that a Rav from whom the words of the Pri Megadim are hidden “is like one who errs in a matter of Mishnah.” (Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Michelsohn, introduction to Shu”t Tirosh VeYitzhar, p. 4) “My uncle, the holy gaon and Av Beis Din of Mad, of blessed memory,