Manuscript: Teshuvah M'Ahavah, Handwritten by the Adere"t. Ponovezh. 136 pp

Manuscript: Teshuvah M'Ahavah, Handwritten by the Adere"t. Ponovezh. 136 pp

Teshuvah M'Ahavah - especially lengthy manuscript, written on large format leaves, handwritten and signed by the mighty gaon Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Teomim, known by his initials, as the Adere"t. Ponovezh, written 1868 [chronogram "ברכו"ת"], to 1874.

The work was originally a reply to a talmid chacham whose identity is unknown to us. The Adere"t, known for his especially sharp mind, expanded on the topic and covered several more issues for this purpose, continuing to the point that the responsum became an entire kuntress, which he entitled Teshuvah Me'Ahavah. The Adere"t writes about this at the beginning of the kuntress, "I wrote a teshuvah to my acquaintance who asked me about ko' emet according to the Tosafot. After I responded to him, the topic expanded into different issues, until it became this large kuntress, with Hashem's help."

The responsum contains over a hundred simanim, with many glosses arranged in a separate column. The responsum is signed on page 121: "Completed on Tuesday of parashat Shelach, [year chronogram] "ברכות" here in Ponovezh, signed Eliyahu David son of Rabbi Binyamin Teomim."

The subsequent pages bear Kuntress Acharon - that is, omissions and novellae relevant to Teshuvah MeAhavah ..." This kuntress was completed in 1874, and he writes at its conclusion 'Your friend, Adere"t.'

The concept "dives into mighty waters" takes on a special meaning when looking at this manuscript, in which the Adere"t dives in and moves from one topic to another across dozens of subjects in monetary halachah, sacrifices, issur v'hetter etc., with astonishing expertise and deep understanding across the entire Talmud.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Teomim - the Adere"t.

The content of the letter was printed in Chiddushei HaGaon HaAdere"t (2003). A close comparison has not been made between this manuscript and the printed version, but comparison of several individual passages demonstrates that there are many textual variations - in almost every sentence. This manuscript may contain unpublished passages.

136 pp. 30.5 cm.

Overall fine-very fine condition. Tiny tears in the margins of a few leaves. Single worming perforation through the leaves. Stains and ink smudges. New binding.