Bidspirit auction | BESAMIM ROSH. FIRST EDITION. BERLIN

BESAMIM ROSH. FIRST EDITION. BERLIN 1793. INSCRIBED COPY! - BESAMIM ROSH. FIRST EDITION. BERLIN 1793. INSCRIBED COPY! Published by R. Shaul Berlin who stated that he transcribed the 392 Halachic responsa recorded here from an Italian manuscript attributed to Rabbeinu Asher (The Rosh) adding glosses which he titled “Kasa D’Harsena”. Although initially it was received enthusiastically and even the Noda B’Yehuda wrote a letter upon its publication (printed in the sefer), it was subsequently alleged that the Halachic rulings in the sefer were of a surprisingly liberal bent and were not in accord with established rabbinical thought. Today there is a significant body of opinion that the attribution to The Rosh was fictitious and the publisher had a hidden agenda: namely the promotion of Haskalah “Enlightenment”. Among the strong opponents were R. Mordechai Banet and The Chasam Sofer who referred to the sefer as “Kizvei HaRosh” (Forgeries in the name of The Rosh). Nonetheless, no less a Halachic authority than R. Akiva Eger quotes from Besamim Rosh, (responsum no. 89), and the matter remains an enigma widely debated by scholars. R. Shaul Berlin (also known as R. Shaul Hirschell 1740-1794) was a son of R. Tzvi Hirsch Berlin (Hirschell). Following various episodes which tarnished his reputation, he moved to London where his brother R. Solomon Hirschell served as Chief Rabbi. He died in London shortly thereafter, and apparently expressed his wish not to be buried in a cemetery, but rather in some lonely spot, and in the garments in which he died. The inscription reads 'לבן אחותי ארי' ליב יצ”ו' (to my sister’s son Aryeh Leib) and presumably refers to his nephew R. Aryeh Leib, Rav of Leeuwarden in Holland. Chinuch Ne’arim press. 4, 110, 5 pages. 32 cm. Overall fine condition, some staining and wear. Antique binding (loose).