Bidspirit auction | ”A Sukkah Built on Shabbat

”A Sukkah Built on Shabbat – May It Be Used?” – An Important Halachic Responsum Entirely in the Autograph Hand of the Leading Halachic Authority Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner - An exceptionally long halachic responsum spanning two large leaves, entirely handwritten by the foremost halachic authority of the generation, Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner. The responsum was written on a particularly significant occasion, as Rabbi Wosner notes in the opening line: ”On the eve of the Giving of our Holy Torah, ” 5735 [1975]. Across two densely written leaves, Rabbi Wosner develops a comprehensive and penetrating halachic analysis, examining every aspect of the issue and supporting his conclusions with numerous proofs drawn from the Talmud, the Rishonim, and the leading halachic authorities. The question submitted to Rabbi Wosner concerns a fascinating practical case: Two neighbors, one observant and one non-observant, agreed to build a shared sukkah. The non-observant neighbor took advantage of his day off on Shabbat and built the sukkah on that day. His observant neighbor then asked whether he would be permitted to use the sukkah during the festival of Sukkot, or whether it should be regarded as a mitzvah haba'ah ba'aveirah—a mitzvah performed through the commission of a transgression. The case brings together the laws of Shabbat, the laws of Sukkah, the principle of mitzvah haba'ah ba'aveirah, and fundamental questions in the laws of prohibition and permissibility. Rabbi Wosner examines the issue from every possible angle in his characteristic comprehensive style. Throughout the responsum, Rabbi Wosner displays his extraordinary brilliance, analyzing the arguments advanced in favor of permitting the sukkah's use and presenting extensive sources from throughout the Talmud and the classic halachic literature. Among the authorities discussed are the Maharam Schick, the son-in-law of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the author of Torat Chesed, and numerous other leading halachic authorities, whose views are examined with exceptional depth and precision. Rabbi Eliyahu Schlesinger inclined toward permitting the use of the sukkah and supported his position with an extensive array of sources. In the present responsum, however, Rabbi Wosner systematically refutes those arguments and develops a comprehensive halachic analysis leading him to conclude that the use of such a sukkah should be prohibited. Presented here is a comprehensive halachic discussion of a rare and fascinating question, written entirely in the autograph hand of one of the greatest halachic authorities of the modern era.  [2] Large leaves. Entirely in the autograph hand of Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner. Excellent condition.