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Manuscript, Daat David (Sinzheim) – Yoreh Deah Part I – Rediscovered Lost Manuscript – Autograph of Author, Rabbi David Sinzheim, Leading French Rabbi and Head of Napoleon's Sanhedrin - Manuscript, Daat David, selected halachot and notes on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, Part I (1-182), by R. Yosef David Sinzheim. [France, ca. 1780s-1800s]. Thick volume handwritten by the author. Comprises short notes written by R. Sinzheim, following the order of Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah, sections 1-182. He wrote the book intermittently at different times, and many pages are left blank. The front endpaper features a title page, handwritten by the author's son-in-law after his passing. Part II of Daat David, from section 183 onwards, is held in the manuscript collection of the Mendel Gottesman Library of Yeshiva University, New York. It was printed based on that manuscript in the Friedman edition of the Shulchan Aruch published by Machon Yerushalayim, at the end of the volumes, under the name Yad David (after the author's better-known series of books). R. Yosef Avivi, describing that manuscript, writes: ”Many blank spaces and pages. Apparently, this is an outline for a work to be completed” (Rabbinic Manuscripts: Mendel Gottesman Library, Yeshiva University, tr. Gertrude Hirschler and Pearl Berger, p. 39, entry no. 105, Ms. 11). The present volume is written in the same format, with many leaves left blank to resume writing and space left between notes, apparently as a preliminary version of a complete work. The present volume is the first part of Daat David on Yoreh Deah sections 1-182, a manuscript that has never been printed and was heretofore considered lost. R. Yosef David Sinzheim (ca. 1736-1812) was one of the greatest French Torah scholars in the Acharonim period and president of the Grand Sanhedrin established by Napoleon. He was born in Trier (southwest Germany), where his father, R. Yitzchak Itzek Sinzheim, served as Rabbi. His Torah knowledge and wisdom were exceptional. In 1778, he founded a yeshiva in Bischheim (Alsace, France) along with his brother-in-law R. Herz Cerfbeer of Medelsheim. The yeshiva later relocated to Strasbourg (Alsace, France). In 1807 he was appointed by Napoleon as president of the Grand Sanhedrin. In this function, he sagaciously handled various attempts to reform Jewish practices. R. Sinzheim was eulogized by the Chatam Sofer, whose words convey the exceptional esteem in which he held him. R. Sinzheim left behind voluminous Torah writings, including Yad David on the Talmud, Minchat Ani on Talmudic topics and Shelal David on the Torah. Many volumes of his works were printed by Machon Yerushalayim. In 1799, he had the first two parts of his Yad David printed, covering Tractate Berachot and Seder Moed (Offenbach, 1799). The rest of the work remained in manuscript, and was only printed recently by Machon Yerushalayim. His novellae on the Shulchan Aruch have been printed in part in the Shulchan Aruch edition published by Machon Yerushalayim. His son-in-law (who wrote the title page), R. Avraham Auerbach (1763-1845), a disciple of R. Natan Adler and colleague of the Chatam Sofer, was a leading rabbi in Germany. Son of R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach, Rabbi of Bouxwiller (1724-1768), he was raised by his grandfather, R. Tzvi Hirsch Auerbach, Rabbi of Worms, and later studied under R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt am Main, along with the Chatam Sofer (who later eulogized him; see: Ishim BiTeshuvot HaChatam Sofer, p. 20). He served as Rabbi of several German communities. In 1808, he was appointed Rabbi of Bonn. His descendants include prominent rabbis and Torah leaders, including his eldest son, R. Tzvi Binyamin Auerbach – author of Nachal Eshkol and Rabbi of Darmstadt and Halberstadt, and his son R. Aharon Auerbach, Rabbi of Bonn. [1], 293 leaves. 23.5 cm. Many blank leaves (total of 225 fully or partially written pages). Good-fair condition. Stains, some wear and tears. Several leaves detached. Early binding, worn and loose.