Bidspirit auction | Chut Ha’Meshulash. Vilna 1882. First

Chut Ha’Meshulash. Vilna 1882. First edition. Copy of the Ridvaz - Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky. Signature of Rabbi Shmuel Hillel Sheinker the Son-in-Law of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld Halachic responsa of three generations of the rabbinic dynasty of Volozhin. Part one: Responsa of R. Chaim of Volozhin. Part two: responsa of R. Chaim Volozhiner’s son in law R. Hillel Fried who served as Rav in Horodna. Part three: Responsa of R. Hillel Fried’s son R. Eliezer Yitzchok Fried who served as Rosh yeshiva in Volozhin. Although R. Chaim Volozhiner wrote a large amount of novella, most of it was unfortunately lost in a fire. The surviving 25 responsa printed here are particularly highly regarded. Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky — the Ridbaz [1845–1913], was among the greatest halachic authorities of his generation and one of the foremost commentators on the Jerusalem Talmud in all generations. His name became renowned throughout the Torah world for his penetrating genius, powerful halachic judgment, and encyclopedic mastery of all areas of Torah learning. Among his celebrated works are Responsa Ridbaz, as well as his two monumental commentaries on the Jerusalem Talmud: Chiddushei Ridbaz, a clear and foundational commentary in the style of Rashi on the Babylonian Talmud, and Tosefot Ri”d, an expansive analytical commentary in the style of the Tosafists. It was with these great works that he was engaged during the years in which the present letter was written. Already in his youth he was recognized as an extraordinary prodigy. At only twenty-three years of age he was appointed rabbi of Izabelin. Thereafter he served as preacher in Vilna, and later occupied important rabbinic posts in Bobruisk, Polotsk, Vilkavishk, and finally, in 1890, was appointed rabbi of Slutsk, one of the foremost Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. Between 1899 and 1902 he devoted himself to editing and publishing his major commentaries on the Jerusalem Talmud — a monumental scholarly achievement that helped restore the study of the Yerushalmi to a central place in Torah learning. It was during this period that the present letter was written. In 1905 he ascended to the Land of Israel and settled in Safed, where he founded a major yeshiva with approximately one hundred תלמידים, and continued teaching Torah until his final day. He passed away on the first of Tishrei, 1913, and was buried in the ancient cemetery of Safed, near the grave of Rabbi Leib Baal HaYissurim.2 title pages. Rabbi Shmuel Hillel Shenker [passed away in 1956], the son-in-law of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. The son of Rabbi Avraham Manis of Kovno who was a disciple of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter.  Vinograd Sifrei Ha’Gra 1452. Pages: 2, 18, 292. Size : 30.5 cm. Condition : Overall in fine condition, detached and damaged binding.