Bidspirit auction | Reishis Bikurim, byRabbi Bezalel HaKohen

Reishis Bikurim, byRabbi Bezalel HaKohen of Vilna, Vilna 1869, First edition, Inscribed by author. Rabbi Bezalel HaKohen of Vilna (1820–1878) was a prodigy from his youth. His brother, the Cheshek Shlomo, testified that by age 11 he had mastered two Sidrei Shas “in great depth” (in his introduction to Shu”t Binyan Shlomo). At 23, he was appointed as a moreh tzedek in the community of Vilna and his name became well-known in Klal Yisrael. He devoted himself to every aspect of communal life in Vilna: issuing halachic rulings, granting semicha, taking care of the eiruv, and addressing all the city’s needs. He authored a vast number of halachic teshuvos sent to all corners of the globe, yet of his Torah legacy, only a small portion has survived: His sefer Reishis Bikurim, and his glosses on Shas under the title Mar’eh Kohen. A few surviving teachings of his Torah were printed in various sefarim and some were printed for the first time in recent years. Size : 31.5 cm Condition : Fine condition, detached cover.