Bidspirit auction | Transcriptions of Torah Novellae by

Transcriptions of Torah Novellae by Rabbi Chaim Deutschmann, Av Beit Din of Köllin and Friend of the Chatam Sofer – Second Half of the 18th Century - A collection of pamphlets and manuscript leaves, apparently written mostly by a single scribe, a disciple of the Gaon Rabbi Chaim Deutschmann (1760–1837), who was himself a disciple of the great Rabbi Nathan Adler and a close friend of Maran the Chatam Sofer from their youth, maintaining their friendship for decades. [Bohemia? Second half of the 18th century]. The manuscript contains Talmudic novellae on various sugyot, halachic principles, intricate rabbinic discussions and distinctions (Chilukei DeRabbanan), and a sermon for Shabbat Shuvah. At the beginning of the sermon, as well as at the beginning of one of the Talmudic discussions, it is explicitly stated that these are the teachings of ”our master and teacher, may he live, the renowned Gaon, Rabbi Chaim Deutschmann, may his light shine.” It appears likely that the remaining manuscripts also contain his Torah novellae. In several places, the author refers to the Noda BiYehuda and the Machatzit HaShekel as his teachers, and Rabbi Chaim was indeed a disciple of both. The manuscript has not been subjected to an in-depth scholarly examination by us. It is quite possible that it contains Torah novellae that have never been published. The identity of the disciple who transcribed these manuscripts remains unknown. It is noteworthy that following the passing of the Gaon Rabbi Baruch Frankel-Teomim, Av Beit Din of Leipnik and author of Baruch Ta'am (father-in-law of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz), ”the majority of his students” transferred to Rabbi Chaim's yeshiva in Köllin, as testified by Rabbi Chizkiyahu Feivel Plaut, a disciple of the Chatam Sofer. The manuscripts comprise approximately 120 pages (about 60 leaves), mostly in medium format, with four leaves in a larger format (39 cm). Condition varies from good to fair. Tears with loss of text or paper in approximately 20 leaves. Stains and signs of wear. Also included in the original collection was a pamphlet containing transcriptions of sermons by the Noda BiYehuda, which is offered separately as another lot in this catalog.