“He was a gadol olam , my father, my father, chariot of Israel … I studied from him every day in our beit midrash , from the works he authored” (the Chatam Sofer)
Shu”t Maharasha”ch , one of the fundamental works of halachic adjudication [Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 294] by Rabbi Shlomo son of Rabbi Avraham HaKohen – Maharasha”ch, one of the leading poskim of his generation [together with Mahariva”l and Maharashda”m, the three were considered the leading poskim of their generation]. Three parts – responsa, chiddushim on the Ramba”m, and chiddushim on Talmudic topics. Salonika-Venice, 1595-1586. Especially rare set.
Complete copy that belonged to the gadol olam Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot of Brod, author of Beit Ephraim and Mateh Ephraim , among the leading poskim of all generations, who would often cite the Maharasha”ch’s sefarim [dozens of times] in his sefer , Beit Ephraim . His beautiful signature is clearly displayed at the top of the first leaf in the first volume “HaK’ Ephraim Zalman Margaliot of Brod.”
All three volumes are present here, in rare full completeness. The fourth part was printed 140 years later.
The first part was printed in Salonika 1586-1587, without a title page. In place of the title page, the author wrote something of a preface at the top of the first leaf. He writes there about the process of bringing this work to print, including the names of the benefactors from the ‘Midrash Garush Castilla” (community of Spanish exiles in Salonika) who supported his efforts. The year of print appears at the end of his introduction.
The second part was printed in 1592 (with a title page). During the printing process, the author penned more responsa. He printed these later responsa in Salonika and added them to this part, with a preface. These leaves are not found in all the copies.
The third part was printed in Salonika in 1594-1595. Printed in the original without a title page.
Alongside the Beit Ephraim’s signature are two additional signatures from gedolei Yisrael of later generations who had the privilege of possessing this magnificent pedigreed set. The gaon Rabbi Menachem Manish Mordechai Teomim Frankel of Brod, the first to receive the set, received it as an inheritance [he was a grandson of Rabbi Elyakim Getzel Margaliot, brother of the Beit Ephraim]. Another owner was the Admo”r of Sadigura, who had one of the most important libraries in the Jewish world, who acquired this set and enhanced it magnificently, stamped it with his renowned stamps ” kinyan kaspi ” etc, and signed his sacred name alongside the signatures of the previous two owners.
Magnificent title pages were added to this stunning and uncommon set, hand-painted by artists and enhanced with artistic script. These title pages also indicate the place and date of print, as appears in the introductions and the colophon. An illustrated title page for the second part as well completes the creation, despite this part already having a printed title page. The Admo”r of Sadigura stamped his famous stamps on these title pages – the latter made by request of the Admo”r of Sadigura (?). The magnificent covers are from the Admo”r’s library.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 294; Y. Mehlman, Gnuzot Sefarim , Prakim B’Toldot HaDefus B’Saloniki no. 40.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margaliot , Rabbi Menachem Manish Mordechai Teomim Frankel of Brod and the Admo”r Rabbi Nachum Ber’enyu of Sadigura .
244: 181; 28, [1]: 126 leaf: 2° leaf, 7.5 cm. Printed on thick paper,
Magnificent hand-painted title pages. Magnificent bindings from the Admo”r of Sadigura’s library.
Many lengthy handwritten glosses all along the first volume; the glosses have not been thoroughly examined.
Very fine condition. Usage marks and aging stains.