Bidspirit auction | Manuscript – Copy of an

Manuscript – Copy of an Unpublished Teshuva from the Noda B’Yehuda, with Remarkable Discoveries! * A handwritten copy of a teshuva in the laws of Niddah sent by Rabbeinu Yechezkel Landau, the Noda B’Yehuda, to his distinguished talmid, the renowned gaon Rabbi Avraham Danzig, author of Chayei Adam. The teshuva comprises two sections, which are, in fact, two separate teshuvos. The first section contains the teshuva of the Noda B’Yehuda to the Chayei Adam, occupying approximately two-thirds of the first page. In the second section, the Noda B’Yehuda appended another teshuva, originally sent to a different recipient, dealing with the same halachic question; this section fills the final third of the first page and continues across the following two pages. The first teshuva has never been published and contains significant historical revelations about the Noda B’Yehuda! Some of the chiddushim found in this unpublished teshuva: A unique reference to the Vilna Gaon! At the conclusion of the first section, the Noda B’Yehuda requests of the Chayei Adam, who was then residing in Vilna, that he forward the teshuva to “the outstanding scholars there, and in particular, to the gaon and chassid, Moreinu Harav Eliyahu [the Vilna Gaon]; and should they see fit to permit it… then I too will add my voice alongside theirs in permitting it.” To the best of Zaidy’s knowledge, this is the only known instance in which the Noda B’Yehuda explicitly mentions the Vilna Gaon, offering a rare glimpse into the esteem in which he held him. Regarding his approach to the reasoning of the Achronim, he writes: “It is not my practice to delve into the teshuvos of the Achronim, ” and he writes in unusually strong terms about some of them: “Their honor shines above in the Heavenly yeshiva… yet, in these matters, with all due respect, they have indulged in speculative arguments… and their words do not sit well with me.” (His general stance on this matter is known, though it is usually expressed in milder terms.) On the importance of his work in the laws of Niddah, he writes: “If your community has my work, Noda B’Yehuda… a person can find clarity there for every question, for nearly every question that can arise in these matters is included there.” Regarding the sale of his sefarim, the Noda B’Yehuda notes in this letter that he did not entrust his work to booksellers, but rather sold the copies himself, little by little. This stands in contrast to what is recorded in the biographical work Mofes HaDor, which states that he distributed many copies to talmidei chachamim and consigned the rest to booksellers. However, the Noda B’Yehuda had already written similarly to the present letter on this matter, in the introduction to his Tzlach on Brachos, printed during his lifetime. An exceptionally important teshuva, never before published. The second teshuva was printed in Noda B’Yehuda Tinyana, Prague 1811, simanim 101–102, though the present manuscript contains minor additions and variations in wording. The present manuscript was copied during the lifetime of the Noda B’Yehuda. At the top, the scribe writes: “For my record, I am copying a teshuva from Noda B’Yehuda Tinyana, which has not yet appeared in print, from my master and teacher, Moreinu Harav Yechezkel Landau, נר”ו.” The original teshuva was written in Prague in 1787, as recorded at the top of the page; and based on this, this copy was produced between 1787 and 1793, the year of the Noda B’Yehuda’s passing. Bohemia (possibly Prague), before Iyar 1793. Page Count: One folded leaf, comprising three handwritten pages. Size : Approx. 18.5 × 23 cm. Condition : Fair to good; numerous marginal tears affecting several words; stains. As noted above, this manuscript is a copy, and is being sold on account of the immense significance of its content.