Bidspirit auction | Extremely Important and Rare: Shabbat

Extremely Important and Rare: Shabbat Shuvah Sermon in the Holy Autograph Handwriting of Rabbi Elazar Kalir, Author of Or Chadash – Köllin, 1788 - A lengthy sermon extending over more than three large pages, entirely in the autograph handwriting of the extraordinary Gaon Rabbi Elazar Kalir, Av Beit Din of Köllin, one of the foremost Torah luminaries of his generation approximately two centuries ago. At the beginning of the sermon appears the heading: ”With God's help, for Shabbat Shuvah 1789, Köllin.” Rabbi Kalir served as Av Beit Din of Köllin from 1781 until his passing in 1802. Distinctive autograph handwriting, with deletions, corrections, and additions in the margins and between the lines. At the bottom of the second page, the author briefly discusses a case in which there is insufficient meat from the Passover sacrifice to provide a kezayit (olive-sized portion) for each participant. He writes: ”And I answered in my book, why should it matter if there is not a kezayit for each person...” His reference is to his discussion of this subject in several passages of his renowned work Or Chadash on Tractate Pesachim, published during his lifetime (see, for example, Warsaw edition, 1884, fols. 104b and 108b). A search of the Otzar HaChochma database did not reveal any published version of this sermon. It is possible that it has never been published. ”Deep, deep — who can fathom him?” These were the words of the Chatam Sofer in his eulogy for the Gaon Rabbi Elazar Kalir (1738–1802), author of Or Chadash and Av Beit Din of Köllin, grandson of the Gaon Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt, author of Panim Meirot. Rabbi Kalir served as rabbi for decades in the communities of Zabludowa, Rechnitz, and Köllin. In his youth, he met the great Gaon, author of Sha'agat Aryeh, an encounter that left a profound impression upon him. The Sha'agat Aryeh also granted him an enthusiastic approbation for his work Or Chadash on the Torah, declaring: ”He is accomplished in every field, in intricate Talmudic analysis and reasoning, among the renowned rabbis of our lands.” The Chida described him as ”the extraordinarily brilliant rabbi” and wrote of him: ”He enjoys a great reputation for his sharp intellect and extensive Torah knowledge” (Shem HaGedolim, entry on Panim Meirot, concerning Rabbi Kalir's grandfather). He maintained close ties with the Noda BiYehuda of Prague, who wrote of his Torah novellae: ”These are teachings worthy of one of the Rishonim.” He received approbations from the leading rabbinic authorities of his generation, including the Noda BiYehuda, Rabbi Shaul, Av Beit Din of Amsterdam, Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, Rabbi Yosef Steinhardt, and others. Rabbi Kalir was among the most distinguished Torah authorities of his generation. Following the passing of the Noda BiYehuda, he was regarded as: ”The one remaining leader of Israel in our country... and by many of the scholars of Prague, he was considered the Mara D'Atra [supreme local rabbinic authority], whose light illuminated our path.” (From the words of Rabbi Baruch Jeiteles in his introduction to Ta'am HaMelech.) Among his disciples was the Gaon Rabbi Betzalel Ranschburg. His works include Or Chadash on the Torah and on Tractates Pesachim and Kiddushin, the collection of sermons Chavot Yair HaChadash, and the responsa Chaker Halacha. One folded leaf, comprising three full pages of densely written text and four additional lines on the fourth page. Approximately 33 cm. Good condition. Minor tears and light stains.