Bidspirit auction | Unpublished Manuscript – Torah Novellae

Unpublished Manuscript – Torah Novellae by the Shev Yaakov and the Rabbis of Frankfurt – Early 18th Century - A manuscript of nearly 100 pages, written by a disciple, containing Torah novellae on the weekly Torah portions, followed by several Talmudic discussions and sermons for the festivals. [Frankfurt? Early 18th century]. The manuscript contains Torah novellae by the great rabbinic authorities of Frankfurt: The Gaon Rabbi Yaakov HaKohen Poppers, Av Beit Din of Frankfurt and author of Shev Yaakov, and the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Rapp, head of the rabbinical court of Frankfurt. In one passage, a teaching by Rabbi Avraham Broda, who had also served as Av Beit Din of Frankfurt several years earlier, is mentioned. Most of the novellae are introduced as teachings of ”the aforementioned Gaon.” This apparently refers to the author of Shev Yaakov, although further examination is required. The novellae are recorded in the disciple's own words, reflecting his understanding of the rabbis' teachings. Throughout the manuscript, he uses expressions such as ”Our master and teacher said, ” ”Our master and teacher raises a difficulty, ” ”Our master and teacher resolves the difficulty, ” and similar formulations. The Shev Yaakov is already mentioned with the customary blessing for the deceased. He passed away in 1740, and the manuscript was written in the years surrounding his passing. Over the years, hundreds of outstanding students studied at the yeshiva of the Shev Yaakov. Many subsequently became renowned halachic authorities and commentators, including: - Rabbi Yosef Steinhardt, author of Zichron Yosef. - Rabbi David Berlin, author of Korban HaEdah. - Rabbi Elchanan Ashkenazi, author of Sidrei Taharah. - Rabbi Yaakov Berlin, author of Be'er Yaakov. - Rabbi David Diesbeck, author of Pardes David. - Rabbi Nathan Maz, author of Binyan Shlomo. - Rabbi Akiva Eiger the Elder, Av Beit Din of Pressburg. - Maharam Barby, Av Beit Din of Pressburg. It is reasonable to assume that the disciple who recorded these novellae was himself a distinguished Torah scholar. No attempt has been made to identify the scribe. The contents of the manuscript have not been thoroughly examined. Based on a preliminary examination of selected passages, it appears that the manuscript before us has never been published. Approximately 100 written pages (plus blank leaves). 20.5 cm. Overall good condition. Clear and legible handwriting. Stains and minor wear. Unbound, with detached leaves. The renowned Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Poppers, Av Beit Din of Frankfurt (died 22 Shevat 1740), was among the foremost Torah scholars of his generation, a distinguished halachic authority, prolific respondent, and renowned teacher of Torah. He served as rabbi of Frankfurt for more than twenty years and headed its prestigious yeshiva, which produced some of the greatest Torah scholars of subsequent generations. In 1698, he was appointed rabbi of Koblenz. In 1718, he was chosen to serve as Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva of Frankfurt am Main, where he remained until his passing in 1740. He was succeeded by the author of Pnei Yehoshua. Rabbi Moshe Rapp was the teacher of the great Rabbi Nathan Adler, who was himself the teacher of the Chatam Sofer. He served as head of the rabbinical court of Frankfurt during the periods of the Pnei Yehoshua and the Shev Yaakov. He passed away in 1762. Rabbi Yonatan Eybeschutz eulogized him in extraordinary terms: ”Rabbi Moshe Rapp of the holy congregation of Frankfurt, an elder of the generation, truly outstanding in Torah scholarship; in his lifetime, he left no equal throughout all the regions of Germany.” (Ya'arot Devash, Part II, Sermon 11). He was also eulogized by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch, Av Beit Din of Berlin (Pe'alim LaTorah, Vol. 39, p. 200). A responsum of his was published in Shu”t Or Yisrael by Rabbi Yisrael Lipschitz (Cleves, 1770, section 47), a work associated with the famous ”Cleves Get Controversy.” He also granted approbations to various works, including: Korban Aharon (Dessau, 1742); Even HaEzer (Zolkiew, 1753); Eretz Tzvi (Rödelheim, 1753); and Maginei Eretz (Amsterdam, 1754).