Halachic novellae on Tractates Beitzah, Bava Metzia, Ketubot, Chulin and Gittin , known as Chiddushei HaMahara”m Schiff , printed today in all editions of Sha”s, by the gaon Rabbi Meir Schiff of Frankfurt, one of the leading Talmudic commentators of all time. Hamburg, 1737. First edition. Personal copy that belonged to the gaon Rabbi Moshe Segal Brandes (Rabbi Moshe Charif), av beit din of Mainz – one of the leading rabbis of Germany in his generation (a generation of Torah giants such as the Pnei Yehoshua and Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschütz).
This is the first edition of Chiddushei HaMahara”m Schiff , one of the fundamental sefarim of Talmudic commentary. In this first edition, Chiddushei Mahara”m Schiff was printed as a sefer on its own. However, in subsequent editions, it was already integrated into the volumes of Talmud Bavli. Due to its importance, it is printed to this day in all editions of Sha”s alongside the Chiddushei HaRi”f and the Maharsh”a.
Large, impressive picture at the top of the title page depicting the story of Rabbah bar Bar Channah and the sailors who descended from their boat and lit a bonfire on the back of a whale, thinking it was land. This rare illustration is an exceptional phenomenon in Torah literature, connected to the Mahara”m Schiff’s name – schiff in Yiddish means ship (as stated by the author’s grandson).
The great gaon Rabbi Moshe Brandes Segal of Mainz’s signature appears on the title page of the first section, “Hashem has granted me this, the youth Moshe Segal Brandes of Magentza …” Additional notation: “M”h Moshe Segal Brandes, av beit din here …” Additional owner’s notation at the end of the first section handwritten by his son, the gaon Rabbi Betzalel of Mainz: “This Chiddushei Halachot belongs to the great and renowned gaon M’ Moshe Segal … the youth Betzalel, son of the above gaon, residing here in …”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the gaon Rabbi Moshe Brandes .
Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 75.
[1], 75, 25, [1], 27 leaf, 32 cm.
Fine condition. Tear without damage to the text in the margins of leaf 1. Sticker for reinforcement in the margins of the title page. Original[?] semi-leather binding. Well-preserved, with light blemishes.