Bidspirit auction | Or Zarua. Zhitomir, First Edition

Or Zarua. Zhitomir, First Edition - Halachic Rulings, Talmudic Commentaries, and Responsa by the Early Ashkenazic Authorities, authored by R. Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna — disciple of the Raaviah and teacher of the Maharam of Rothenburg. Parts I–II printed in Zhitomir, 1862, by the brothers R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heschel Shapira, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavuta. Parts III–IV printed in Jerusalem, 1887–1890. First edition. Final section of Part IV is lacking. This significant work was hidden and unknown for centuries, until it was first printed from an ancient manuscript written on parchment, preserved in the archives of R. Akiva Eger of Amsterdam and previously in the possession of R. Saul Berlin, author of Besamim Rosh. The manuscript was once transported by ship, which sank at sea — yet miraculously, the manuscript survived. The printed edition includes approbations from prominent rabbis such as the Chiddushei HaRim, R. Yitzchak Elchanan of Kovno, and others. About the Author: Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna [c. 1180–1250], known as the “Or Zarua” after his monumental halachic work presented here, was among the foremost early Ashkenazic authorities and the teacher of the Maharam of Rothenburg. He studied at the yeshiva in Paris and was a disciple of the Raaviah (after whom he may have named his son Chaim Eliezer), R. Shimshon of Sens, R. Yehuda HeChasid, and others. His son, R. Chaim Eliezer (Maharch Or Zarua), authored an abridgement of his father’s work known as Or Zarua HaKatzar or Simanei Or Zarua. The Or Zarua is cited extensively in the halachic works of subsequent authorities. Though authored in the 13th century, it was only printed for the first time in the 19th century. The work contains halachic rulings, commentaries, and responsa arranged by topic, in a format paralleling the order of the Talmudic tractates. Several liturgical poems found in prayer books, signed “Yitzchak ben Moshe, ” are attributed by some to R. Yitzchak of Vienna, the author of Or Zarua. Details of the Printed Volumes: Part I: Zhitomir, 1862. 4, [2], 5–232 pages. Part II: Zhitomir, 1862. [4], 184 pages. Part III: Jerusalem, 1890. [4], 79, [1], 106, 72 pages. Part IV: Jerusalem, 1890. [2], 64 pages. Lacking ending. Two bound volumes. Parts III–IV unbound. Overall good condition.