Bidspirit auction | Unique! A Sefer with Three

Unique! A Sefer with Three Distinct Signatures of the Chida! Pesach Bais David, Part II Saloniki, 1746 * The sefer Pesach Bais David, Part II, Shu” t on the laws of Even Ha'ezer and Choshen Mishpat by Rabbi Yosef David, Av Beis Din in Saloniki. The Chida in Shem HaGedolim describes him as ”a man of holiness, and we have heard of his holiness and seclusion.” The Chida learned in depth using this sacred copy, and signed his own handwritten signature on it three times, each time in a different and unique way! The first signature is in his elegant, spiraled script: ”To serve Hashem, to David the small, the young and lowly Chaim Yosef David Azulai, ס”ט.” The second signature — the Chida, combined with the printed name of the author (Yosef David). He added 'Chaim' before it and 'Azulai' after it, thus creating his full name: Chaim Yosef David Azulai! The Chida wrote the third signature at the conclusion of a handwritten gloss found on leaf 5a (second page count), and it is the title by which the Chida is known everywhere, to this day: ”... signed, the extremely lowly servant, Chida.” Such a combination of unique signatures on a single volume — his elegant signature, his title 'Chida, ' and his ingenious signature incorporating the author’s name — is extraordinary! In addition to the three signatures, the Chida inscribed two handwritten glosses on leaf 5a (one of which is signed and was mentioned above). The content of the signed gloss was incorporated by the Chida in his usual manner in his sefarim, and is discussed at length in his sefer Sha'ar Yosef, Siman 6, and in Birkei Yosef (Choshen Mishpat 25:15), where he writes: ”And in my small sefer Sha'ar Yosef siman 6 I discussed in detail the Rav Beis David Choshen Mishpat siman 5….” Sefer Beis David is a highly regarded halachic sefer, frequently cited in the sefarim of the poskim due to its importance. From the Chida's sefarim, it is evident that he learned Beis David in depth, cites it often, raises questions, and answers them. The Chida already occupied himself with the teachings of Beis David from his first sefer Sha'ar Yosef, as mentioned. Thus, it is reasonable to surmise that this very copy was in his possession already in his youth, since at the time Sha'ar Yosef was published, the Chida was only about 33 years old. Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai, known as the Chida (1724-1806) , was one of the most renowned Jewish scholars of recent generations. Born in Jerusalem, he learned Torah from the holy Ohr HaChaim and Rashash. He traveled multiple times as an emissary to various countries, and wherever he traveled, he sought out writings from the Rishonim and Achronim. With his extraordinary genius, he quoted extensively from these sources in his many sefarim. He eventually settled in Italy, where he wrote most of his works and passed away. ”Just as they said about the Rambam, 'From Moshe to Moshe there arose none like Moshe, ' now it may be said as well, 'From Yosef to Yosef there arose none like Yosef.' Meaning, from Rabbi Yosef Karo to the gaon Rabbi Yosef Azulai, there arose none like Yosef, for he composed many sefarim and filled the land with knowledge like the waters cover the sea. He was a light to all of Klal Yisrael. May there be many more like him in Klal Yisrael.” (Ner Mitzvah by Rabbi Yehuda Sid, Saloniki 1810, leaf 145a) Rabbi Yosef David of Saloniki, the Mohari”d (d. 1736), was one of the Torah giants of his generation. In his sefer Beis David, two parts were printed, with a compilation of many questions sent to him from communities all over the world. He served as Av Beis Din in Saloniki, and he is the one who caused Rabbi Moshe Amarilio to take on public rabbinic office, serving together as dayanim. Rabbi Moshe Amarilio writes about the author in one of his teshuvos: ”The distinguished Rav Yosef HaTzaddik, may Hashem protect him… for he is the one to whom you shall listen” (Dvar Moshe, Part I, leaf 3b). One of his primary students was the gaon Rabbi Yosef Molko, author of Shulchan Gavoha, who constantly mentions his teacher. He also authored: Lechem HaPanim on the Pesach Haggadah, Beis Avos on Maseches Avos, Tzemach David on the Torah and part of the Nevi'im and Kesuvim, Yemei David – homilies, Yekara D'Shichvi – eulogies and homilies. For more information, see Matzevos Saloniki, II, pp. 618–620. There are two more handwritten glosses: on leaf 59b, opening, ”Says the author, so may it be good (ס”ט)”; and on leaf 98b (second counting). Saloniki, 1746. Second part, first edition. Page Count: [2], 90; 158 leaves. Size: 27.8 cm. Condition : General condition fair to fair-poor, many holes. The first and last leaves were restored (with slight margin repairs). Splendid new leather binding. Sold due to its importance. Please see pictures before placing a bid. Bibliography: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, p. 160 in the addenda.