Bidspirit auction | Ohel David – First Edition

Ohel David – First Edition with Autograph Annotations by the Author. Distinguished Copy of One of Hungary’s Leading Torah Authorities - Ohel David, novellae on various tractates of the Talmud, by the gaon Rabbi David Deutsch. Vienna, 1822. An important scholarly work containing explanations and pilpulim on Tractates Yevamot, Bava Kamma, Shabbat, Eruvin, and several novellae on Tractate Ketubot, authored by one of the foremost Hungarian Torah giants of the transitional generation between the Noda BiYehudah and the Chatam Sofer. In his introduction, the author notes that due to various limitations he was able to publish only a small portion of his Torah writings, particularly on Tractate Yevamot, upon which he had composed material far more extensive than what appears in the present volume. The particular significance of this copy lies in the numerous annotations, corrections, and additions in the author's own handwriting, scattered throughout the margins of the book. These manuscript notes greatly enhance the importance and desirability of the volume. Rabbi David Deutsch (1756–1831), author of Ohel David, was among the outstanding Torah authorities of Hungary. He was a close and distinguished disciple of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of the Noda BiYehudah, who addressed dozens of responsa to him in his celebrated responsa collection. In the following generation, he became one of the closest and most highly esteemed associates of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer. The profound esteem in which the Chatam Sofer held him is evident from his correspondence, where he addressed Rabbi David Deutsch in exceptionally affectionate and reverential terms. Following Rabbi Deutsch’s passing, the Chatam Sofer wrote in the introduction to Ohel David a remarkable tribute: “That righteous and holy man of Israel, a gaon of the world... Fortunate are we if we merited his conversation and his light... May the merit of the righteous stand for us, protecting us from all evil and blessing the House of Israel with the blessing of God.” Rabbi David Deutsch served as rabbi of several Hungarian communities, including Jemnitz, Frauenkirchen, Szerdahely, and ultimately Nové Mesto (“New City”), by whose name he became widely known among his contemporaries. [4], 2–25 leaves. 23.5 cm. Condition: Good. Minor worming. Simple binding.