Manuscript, four pages of Torah insights on the Ramba”m, written very densely yet orderly. Handwritten and signed (four times!) by the rabbinic leader of the generation, the sacred gaon Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, av beit din of Konstantin, who is said to have been privileged to a revelation by Eliyahu HaNavi. Characteristic autograph script. [Konstantin, 18th century.]. Not printed.
The gaon Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, considered the rabbinic leader of his generation, flourishes his pen with his brilliant interpretation of the Ramba”m’s scholarly erudition on the topics: Chametz on Passover, harvesting produce after Passover, and giving two sotahs to drink as one. Rabbi Meir opens the first section: “Many found it difficult to understand the Ramba”m’s words … Written against a gemara … and I say that there is support to be found for it … Before I respond to their questions, I will find a clear proof from here …”
In another passage, Rabbi Meir, who was as sharp and pointed as his father, the Ya’avetz, against Rabbeinu, the Magen Avraham: “… Ramba”m is astonishing … and the Magen Avraham asks in the halachahs of Kriyat HaTorah … and I will find a way to answer it and to add … and the gemara won’t dispute it…”
To the best of our examination, the manuscript has never been printed in this form. The first sugya does not appear in any of the known works, and the last two subjects were recently printed in the book HaMeor HaGadol in a different version, apparently from another manuscript.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi .
[1] double leaf paper, four pages written across their entire surfaces in dense script. Approximately 16×10 cm. Four signatures: near the end of the first sugya (p. 2); at the end of the last sugya (p. 4). At the bottom of the first sugya , and at the bottom of the last sugya . At the bottom of the p.4, there is a single line (the conclusion of the letter) written upside-down, where there is another signature.
Fine-very fine condition. Tiny tears in the fold mark, tiny perforations in the margins. Creases and stains.