* “I saw the book Zichronotai, it is hail and burning fire about Rabbi Shi”r, and I cried out: This is Torah and this is its reward? …” (from the preface). Rabbi Isaac Hirsch Weiss, one of the early Talmudic researchers, celebrated his 80th birthday in 1895. On the occasion of this event, he published a book called Zichronotai in which he details his life story, and an extensive discussion of the lives of his friends, including Shi”r and Rana”k, not necessarily from the most complimentary angle. The author of the book before us, Nechemiah Shmuel Leibowitz, decided to publish a book in response to defend Shi”r’s memory. The book was written in quite a forceful tone, and Leibowitz did not avoid mocking his rival when he saw fit. Shi”r, Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rappoport, was among the people of the haskalah movement in Galicia, and one of the founders of “Chochmat Yisrael,” the movement which began Judaic studies. He was a son-in-law of the “Ketzot HaChoshen,” and a renowned Talmudic scholar in his own right. Nechemiah Shmuel Leibowitz was a diamond dealer in New York, who, alongside his work, dealt much with Jewish research, and wrote approximately 40 works – some of which he published in only 100 copies. He also edited many books, and was known for his forceful language. The book was released in three editions, the first was published in the monthly Ner HaMa’aravi in 1896, the second in New York in 1897, and the third in Jerusalem in 1929. Before us are two editions: The second edition (16 pp., 22 cm) and the third edition (31 pp, 25 cm). Condition: Fine-very fine.