Bidspirit auction | Important Unpublished Rabbinic Manuscript –

Important Unpublished Rabbinic Manuscript – Sermons from Semlin – Early 19th Century - An important and highly interesting manuscript comprising sixty-six written pages, containing a collection of sermons for Sabbaths throughout the year and Jewish festivals, composed in the early 19th century. Headings and dated inscriptions appearing in the sermons indicate that the manuscript is connected with one of the rabbis of Semlin (present-day Zemun), an important border town in the Balkans. Semlin served as a major crossing point between the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian spheres and was home to significant Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish communities. The manuscript is rich in Midrashic teachings, pilpul and homiletics, drawing upon Midrash Rabbah, Midrash Shocher Tov, Pesikta, Yalkut and other sources. In one sermon the author introduces his discussion with the words: “Let us first present a great and wondrous introduction from the words of the holy mouth of the Arizal.” To the best of our electronic research, the manuscript has never been published. The author’s name is not mentioned in the manuscript. Several sermons, however, contain explicit indications of place and date, including: “Here in Semlin, Bein HaMetzarim, תקע”ט, ” as well as a sermon from תקפ”ג bearing the place-name “Semlin.” Another sermon is dated Sunday of Parashat Beshalach, תקע”ח. The manuscript also contains sermons for Shabbat HaGadol and Shabbat Shuvah, traditionally among the principal public addresses delivered by the rabbi of a community on matters of halachah, ethics and the themes of the season. The entire manuscript is written in a distinctly Ashkenazic hand. The identity of its author still requires further investigation. Among the Ashkenazic rabbis known to have served in Semlin during this period was the Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Gleiwitz, author of Ateret Shlomo, Yekara DeChayei and Az Tismach, who is described on the title pages of his works as “Av Beit Din of Semlin.” In addition, the responsa of the Chatam Sofer (Even HaEzer, Part II, responsum 150) contain a responsum addressed to a disciple whom the Chatam Sofer calls: “My disciple and friend, the distinguished and illustrious Rabbi Shmuel, Av Beit Din of the holy community of Semlin.” Contents Page 1: Opens with the words: “Sefer HaPeli’ah.” Page 4: Sermon on the verse “And it came to pass in the course of those many days” [Parashat Shemot]. Concludes with the words: “And I am God and not man.” Page 7: “And in connection with this, the wondrous Midrash may be explained.” Page 11: Sermon for Parashat Terumah, opening: “It is stated in Midrash Shocher Tov: ‘This they shall give, everyone who passes…’” Page 17: Sermon on Midrash Rabbah, opening: “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother.” Page 20: Opens: “It is stated in the Midrash: Moshe said before the Holy One, blessed be He…” Page 23: Sermon on Midrash Rabbah – Ruth. Page 32: Pen trials and inscriptions of names, including: “The Chaver Avraham son of the Rabbi, my teacher and master…” Page 33: Sermon written on Sunday, Parashat Beshalach, תקע”ח. Opens: “With God’s help, today, Sunday of Parashat Beshalach תקע”ח, I shall begin… a sermon… for this year”; and later: “Let us first present a great and wondrous introduction from the words of the holy mouth of the Arizal.” Page 35: “Third Discourse.” Page 42: “Semlin, Shabbat HaGadol תקפ”ג; I composed a sermon for Shabbat HaGadol תקפ”ג” – an extensive sermon spanning approximately nine pages. Page 52: Sermon concerning Passover, opening: “It is stated in Tractate Pesachim: One inquires and expounds upon the laws of Passover.” Page 55: Opens: “One who makes his house into a storehouse within thirty days…” Page 59: Sermon for the period of Bein HaMetzarim, opening: “It is stated in Yalkut Eichah Rabbati”; headed with the place and date: “Here in Semlin, Bein HaMetzarim, תקע”ט.” Page 61: Opens: “It is stated in Midrash Pesikta.” Page 62: Shabbat Shuvah sermon, with indication of place and year: “I delivered [this sermon] on Shabbat Shuvah here… תק”פ.” An unpublished rabbinic manuscript from the early 19th century, originating in the milieu of the Ashkenazic community of Semlin and comprising dozens of pages of Torah sermons, several explicitly dated and identified with Semlin. Identification of its author may reveal a hitherto unknown Torah work by one of the city’s rabbinic scholars of this period. [66] pages. 22 × 18 cm. Moderate condition. Worming, affecting text. Simple binding.