Bidspirit auction | Ledger of the Mishnayot Society

Ledger of the Mishnayot Society of Volozhin – Mentioning Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, His Father Rabbi Yitzchak, and His Brother Rabbi Simcha. 1767–1768 - Original Leaf from the Ledger of the Mishnayot and Talmud Study Society – Community of Volozhin – Mentioning Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, His Father Rabbi Yitzchak, and His Brother Rabbi Simcha. 1767–1768. Before us is an impressive single leaf from the record book of the Mishnayot Society in the town of Volozhin, dating to the years 1767–1768. It reflects an organized communal framework for the systematic study of Mishnah and the entire Talmud in Volozhin in the generation preceding the founding of the famed Volozhin Yeshiva. On one side is written: “Today, Monday, 17th of Marcheshvan 1768, we completed all of the Mishnayot for the third time and the entire Talmud for the fifth time, and we have undertaken upon ourselves, with God’s help, a sixth cycle—this being the order of division.” Following this statement appear the names of tractates and their allocation among the rabbis and scholars who assumed responsibility for their study: Tractate Shevuot was assigned to “Our teacher Chaim son of Moharitz” – namely Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, later founder of the Volozhin Yeshiva and foremost disciple of the Vilna Gaon. Tractate Yoma was assigned to his father – “Our master Rabbi Yitzchak.” Tractates Eruvin and Yevamot were assigned to “Our teacher Simcha son of Moharitz” – his brother, Rabbi Simcha son of Rabbi Yitzchak. On the reverse of the leaf is written: “These are the appointments made by the appointed overseers in the year 1767 until Chol HaMoed Pesach 1768.” Among the names mentioned, Rabbi Chaim appears twice: “Our faithful teacher, Rabbi Chaim son of Rabbi Yitzchak.” His brother is also mentioned: “Rabbi Simcha son of Rabbi Yitzchak.” This leaf constitutes rare documentary evidence of organized Torah study in eighteenth-century Volozhin and of the direct involvement of the Volozhin family—Rabbi Yitzchak and his sons, Rabbi Chaim and Rabbi Simcha—in a structured, cyclical program of Mishnah and Talmud study. An early and historically significant document from the period preceding the establishment of the Volozhin Yeshiva, which would later transform the Lithuanian yeshiva world and exert enduring influence on Torah scholarship. 1 paper leaf. 16.5 × 19.5 cm. Good condition. Age stains.