Bidspirit auction | Shu”t Beis Chadash – Frankfurt

Shu”t Beis Chadash – Frankfurt am Main, 1697 – First Edition – Copy Signed by the Sar, the Gaon Rabbi Shimshon Wertheimer, Leader of Viennese Jewry On the title page appears his signature: ”חסדיו לבקרים מתחדשי', כי חנני אלקים בשו”ת בית חדש, הק' שמשון וו”ה מווינא”. The Gaon Rabbi Shimshon Wertheimer (1658–1724) was the spiritual leader of the Jewish community of Vienna and among the most influential Jews in Europe at the turn of the 18th century. Torah and greatness united at his table in a most wondrous way. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, author of several halachic and aggadic works, and simultaneously one of the wealthiest Jews in Austria. He was closely connected to the Viennese royal court, where he accomplished great efforts to improve the situation of Austrian Jewry in general and Viennese Jewry in particular. He generously assisted Torah scholars in printing their works. Rabbi Yair Chaim Bachrach printed, at the beginning of his sefer Chavos Yair, an approbation written by the Sar R. Shimshon Wertheimer. Before the approbation, he dedicated several lines describing Rabbi Shimshon Wertheimer’s stature: “ The famous and outstanding Gaon, Av Beis Din and Rosh Mesivta of Hungary, the honorable R. Shimshon, NR”V Like his name, he illuminates the land and its dwellers with his wisdom. Advisor and esteemed man, and it is truly said that from the days of Rav Ashi there has not been Torah and greatness together in one place as with him, for his understanding is boundless, and through his influence with His Majesty, every man in distress or bitterness finds relief. He also assisted me with several sums in the printing expenses in many ways.” At the top of the title page is an additional ownership inscription: “The gift of God which He has granted to His servant, the s. Simcha Bunim of Lublin” – repeated three times. Another inscription on the title page reads: “1856 – Given to me as a gift by Kvod Harav David Zuppert/Zofat – Kalman Yaakov.” [6], 106, [2] leaves. 32 cm. Good condition. Stains. The first 6 leaves appear to come from another copy. New binding.