Bidspirit auction | Toldos Maharam Benet, Av Beis

Toldos Maharam Benet, Av Beis Din of Nikolsburg – Ofen, 1832 * A unique and special sefer about the gaon Rabbi Mordechai Benet, Av Beis Din and Rosh Yeshiva of Nikolsburg, Gadol Hador, and in the words of the Chasam Sofer: “The only son of the holy Shechinah.” The sefer contains two parts: Part One is the story of the life of Maharam Benet, written by his eldest son, Rabbi Yaakov Avril. Part Two is a collection of chiddushei Torah and selections from the teachings of Maharam Benet. It includes, among other things, an explanation of the fifteen “Dayeinu” passages in the Haggadah in the style of drush, a drasha for Shabbos Shuvah, an explanation of Shiras Devorah, and more. The present sefer is the main source — and at times the only source — for many historical details from the life of Maharam Benet. It was very unusual in those days for a son to write and publish his father’s life story. In the introduction, Rabbi Yaakov Avril relates that people were eager to learn about his father’s life, and repeatedly asked him to write a biography of his great father. Rabbi Mordechai Benet, known as the Maharam Benet (1753–1829) , was the renowned Rav of Nikolsburg and its surroundings. In his eulogy for him, the Chasam Sofer described him as “a tzaddik, the Gadol Hador, Rabban shel Yisrael, who led his country for forty years, and sustained all of Klal Yisrael with Torah and Yiras Hashem, a master of the entire Talmud.” His son relates (pg. 50) that in the final year of the Maharam Benet’s life, he secluded himself in his home, in an inner room, and “he occupied himself with hidden and concealed matters… with great deveikus and exceptional fervor, with the fire of the Torah burning constantly… and while studying the halachos of mikvaos, his soul departed in purity…” This is the first edition, printed approximately four years after the passing of Maharam Benet. It was later printed several times again. Ofen, 1832. Page Count: 116 pages. Size: 17 cm. Condition: Good-moderate condition, wear and slight lacking in the corners of some leaves. Stains. New binding.