Bidspirit auction | Panim Meiros Distinguished Copy Belonging

Panim Meiros Distinguished Copy Belonging to Three Torah Giants: Rabbi Betzalel Ransburg, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Eiger and Rabbi Avraham Shag * Volume containing two sifrei yesod in their first edition, by the Gaon Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt, the first Maharam Ash: A. Chiddushei Halachos on Maseches Bava Kama. Sulzbach, 1729. B. Shu”t Panim Meiros, Volume II. Sulzbach, 1733. This remarkable copy belonged for several generations to outstanding Torah giants! The first is Rabbi Betzalel Ransburg, one of the leading Rabbanim of Prague. A signed gloss appears in his handwriting next to siman 37 in Shu”t Panim Meiros. There he notes that he saw by his teacher, Rabbi Elazar Kalir, author of Ohr Chadash, a unique copy of the sefer, in which this very page contains a handwritten note by the author retracting what was printed here. A different version of this gloss was incorporated by Rabbi Betzalel into his sefer Horah Gaver. The present gloss was printed in Shu”t and Chiddushim of Rabbi Betzalel Ransburg, pages 131–132. Recorded on the title page of the first sefer are the words: “Belongs to the esteemed Rav, our teacher Harav Betzalel, may he be blessed.” The second is Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ginz, Av Beis Din of Mattersdorf, brother of Rabbi Akiva Eiger. The title page of the first sefer bears his signature: “The young Simcha Bunim Ginz of Ash.” The third is Rabbi Avraham Shag, Av Beis Din of Kobersdorf, a leading disciple of the Chasam Sofer. Glosses in his distinctive handwriting appear on two pages in the second sefer on leaves 4a and 69b. An extraordinary copy that passed through the hands of several distinguished Rabbanim! Due to the great importance of this volume, a facsimile copy of its first title page was printed in two separate modern editions of Panim Meiros! (Oz VeHadar edition, Beit Shemesh 2013; Zichron Aharon edition, Jerusalem 2020) Sulzbach 1729 / 1733. First editions. Page Count: Chiddushei Halachos: [3], 51 leaves. Shu”t Panim Meiros Part II: [1], 113 leaves. Size: 31.5 cm. Condition: Good, minor traces of use. Small repairs at margins of the final leaf. Fine new binding. Bibliography: Shu”t Part II: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, no. 306. Chiddushei Halachos: ibid., in the notes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rabbi Betzalel Ransburg (1762–1821) was one of the greatest luminaries of recent generations, and one of the outstanding sages of Prague of all times. He was a disciple of the Noda B’Yehudah, who referred to him as “my distinguished friend, a most exceptional and wise young man” (Noda B’Yehudah, Orach Chaim, siman 65). His works include the sefer Horah Gaver, Pischei Nida, glosses on the margins of the Vilna shas, and others. In his eulogy, the Chasam Sofer praises him: “The renowned gaon, righteous and holy from birth, who sat in the yeshivah daily, and left behind few, if any, equal to him” (Toras Moshe Hashaleim, Devarim, p. 184). Rabbi Simcha Ginz–Eiger, Av Beis Din of Mattersdorf (1770–1829), was the younger brother and disciple of the Gadol Hador Rabbi Akiva Eiger of Pozna. Dozens of teshuvos are addressed to him in the sefarim of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, written with the utmost reverence. He enjoyed a close relationship with the Chasam Sofer, whom he succeeded as Rav of Mattersdorf; in time, they also became mechutanim (relatives through marriage). Dozens of teshuvos in Shu”t Chasam Sofer are addressed to him. One of his sons-in-law was the renowned gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ulman, author of Yeriot Shlomo. Rabbi Avraham Shag- Zwebner (1801- 1876) was a brilliant Torah genius and tzaddik. From his youth he was a beloved talmid of the Chasam Sofer who said of him, ”We haven’t found a Talmid Chacham as great as the Rav of Shatlsdorf.” Rabbi Zalman Shpitzer, son- in-law of the Chasam Sofer, eulogized him with the words, “It is known that he was a leading disciple of the Chasam Sofer and was ordained by him fifty years ago. He was loved and respected by him greatly.” Among his illustrious disciples was Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, who remained devoted to him all his life. When Rabbi Avraham moved to Jerusalem in 1873, his faithful talmid went with him. Rabbi Meshulam Feish, Av Beis Din of Tosh, likewise studied under him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The author of Panim Meiros, Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt, known as ‘Maharam Ash’ (1670–1744), served as posek in several communities throughout Germany and Poland, and was one of the Gedolei Hador of his time. The Chasam Sofer writes regarding him: “His words were accepted as halacha.” He was a disciple of the Magen Avraham and Rabbi David Oppenheim. He headed the yeshivah in Eisenstadt, becoming the primary rebbi of Rabbi Yonasan Eibeschitz, and even raised him in his home after he became orphaned. The Sha’agas Aryeh remarked about him: ”The reputation of the Rav has already spread… through several works which he personally published during his lifetime, especially Shu”t Panim Meiros… wherein he demonstrated his vast wisdom,