Bidspirit auction | Lengthy Halachic Teshuvah Handwritten by

Lengthy Halachic Teshuvah Handwritten by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margalios, Author of Beis Ephraim Brod, 1820s * A lengthy halachic teshuvah — four pages — in the holy handwriting of the Gaon of Brod, Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margalios, author of Beis Ephraim. The Beis Ephraim concludes the teshuvah with a prayer: “And Hashem shall favor us and enlighten our eyes in His Torah and bring forth our judgment in righteousness. Words of the smallest amongst his peers, the humble Ephraim Zalman Margalios.” The teshuvos of the Beis Ephraim were renowned in his generation. His teshuvos are comprehensive and detailed, addressing the entire topic down to the most minor particulars, leaving no corner or aspect undiscussed. Although he never held a rabbinical position, all flocked to his door, and his halachic rulings were universally accepted. In particular, he gained fame in the halachos of writing gittin (divorce documents), and his sefer Tiv Gittin is a sefer yesod in this field. The Sho'el U’Meishiv wrote in his approbation to Tiv Gittin: “We can almost say that one who does not know Tiv Gittin should not raise his hand to rule in this matter.” The teshuvah was sent to his relative - “one distinguished in Torah and fear of Heaven, sharp and well-versed in the chambers of Torah, the honored Rabbi David Yechezkel [Heilperin], ” who served as Av Beis Din in Bialy Polya (see Dor Dor V’Dorashav IV, p. 206), and it deals with the matter of writing the name of this city in a get. In this city, gittin had begun to be arranged according to the ruling of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, author of Kedushas Levi, as related by the Gaon, author of Sha'ar Mishpat, in his teshuvos Nachalas Avos, siman 15, to whom Rabbi David Yechezkel also sent this question. After much time passed, a certain Rav questioned the manner in which the city’s name was written, and therefore Rabbi David Yechezkel turned to the Beis Ephraim to clarify the correct spelling of the city’s name. The name of this city is also discussed in Shu”t Parshas Mordechai by the Maharam Bennet (siman 51), Shu”t Ateres Chachamim by the Gaon, author of Baruch Ta’am (siman 20), and in Shu”t Shemen Rokach Chadashos (Even Ha’ezer, siman 15). Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margalios (1761-1828) authored the sefarim Beis Ephraim and Matteh Ephraim. Blessed with Torah wisdom and wealth, he never accepted an official Rabbinical position, yet was renowned as a formidable posek and authored important halachic works. At his funeral, the Chasam Sofer described him as a “world luminary, ‘avi, avi rechev Yisrael u’parashav’ whose writings and teachings echo daily in our houses of study.” The Chasam Sofer revered him deeply and requested of him: “Please mention me in your prayers — Moshe ben Raizel.” On many occasions, he refers to him with profound phrases of admiration, such as: “The crown of Yisrael and its glory, ” “the splendor of the generation, ” “the Gaon of Yisrael, ” “a great and renowned tzaddik, whose name also became known among the nations for his wealth and honor.” His renowned works are Mateh Ephraim, Sha'arei Ephraim, Yad Ephraim, Shu”t Beis Ephraim, Sha'arei Teshuvah (which he wrote together with his brother), and more. Brod, undated [1820s]. A folded leaf, four pages. Size: 18 × 21.6 cm. The last lines at the end of the teshuvah, crossed out with a line, are likely from his chiddushim on Maseches Kesuvos. Condition: Good. Printed from this manuscript in Shu”t Beis Ephraim Tanina, Part I (Jerusalem 1976), siman 32. click here