Bidspirit auction | Birkat Shmuel on the Torah.

Birkat Shmuel on the Torah. Frankfurt am Main, 1682. First Edition. Bibliographical Unicum — A Unique Copy with a Rare and Variant Title Page - Birkat Shmuel — homiletical discourses on the Torah by Rabbi Shmuel Aharon Kaidanover (Maharshal K). Frankfurt am Main, 1682. First edition. One of the most important and sought-after works of derashah literature produced in Ashkenaz. The work enjoyed wide circulation and considerable influence and is cited by numerous Torah scholars in subsequent generations. Owing to its extensive use over the centuries, complete copies are today uncommon. The volume opens with approbations by leading rabbinic authorities of the period: Rabbi Yitzchak, Av Beit Din of Kraków; Rabbi Yitzchak, Av Beit Din of Poznań; and Rabbi Yeshayah Horowitz, Av Beit Din of Frankfurt am Main and grandson of the renowned Shelah HaKadosh. A copy of exceptional bibliographical significance. The present copy contains a magnificent engraved title page that differs from the standard title page known for this edition and does not appear in other examined copies. It is possible that this was one of a small number of trial or preliminary copies prepared by the printer before the publication of the final edition in its familiar form. The title page was designed by the Frankfurt engraver Joh. Jac. Vogel and ranks among the most impressive engraved title pages produced for a Hebrew book during the seventeenth century. At its center appears the title of the work within a zodiac wheel, surrounded by an elaborate architectural depiction of the Holy Temple together with various biblical scenes. Thus, the present volume is not only an important Torah work but also a rare artistic and bibliographical artifact. Rabbi Shmuel Aharon Kaidanover (1624–1676) was one of the foremost rabbinic authorities of his generation and among the leading early Acharonim. He served as rabbi and rosh yeshivah in some of the most prominent Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe, including Nikolsburg, Głogów, Fürth, Vilna, Brisk, Frankfurt am Main, and ultimately Kraków. He was a distinguished disciple of Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel of Kraków, author of Chanukat HaTorah, and served as a dayan in the renowned rabbinical court of Rabbi Moshe Lima, author of Chelkat Mechokek, together with Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen, author of the Shach, and Rabbi Ephraim HaKohen, author of Sha'ar Ephraim. During the Chmielnicki massacres of 1648–1649, he suffered devastating personal losses: two of his daughters were murdered by the Cossacks, he himself was severely wounded, and much of his scholarly work was destroyed. His only surviving son was Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kaidanover, author of the celebrated ethical work Kav HaYashar. The Chida praised him highly, writing that he “displayed remarkable insight in his glosses and genuine innovations, expressed with brevity and clarity, ” while Rabbi Yaakov Emden testified that he knew the Arba'ah Turim and Beit Yosef by heart. His principal works include Tiferet Shmuel, Birkat HaZevach, Birkat Shmuel, and Responsa Emunat Shmuel. Early ownership signature on leaf 2. 50, 62 leaves. 31.5 cm. Good to fair condition. Darkened leaves, minor wear and staining. Modern leather binding. Complete copy. An extraordinary copy of major bibliographical importance, preserving an otherwise unknown engraved title page not recorded in the standard copies of the first edition.