Large volume, approximately 133 handwritten leaves including 30 responsa in the great gaon’s handwriting, leader among the sages of Jerusalem in his wise generation, the renowned sage Rabbi Eliezer Nachum, author of Chazon Nachum on mishnah. 17th century.
The first ten leaves contain novellae on tractate mikvaot (leaves 1-3) and on tractate Bava Metzia (leaves 4-10). Chazon Nachum on nezikin is completely unknown. Leaves 191-198 contain a compilation on kiddush being recited where the meal is held – in Tur Orach Chaim siman 273 – apparently a remnant of his composition on the Tur.
The handwriting is identical to his handwriting as known from his works which were preserved in writing; his signature also appears at the end of responsa in six places [on leaves: 62b, 101b, 97b, 111b, 113a and on the last page].
Evidence that Rabbi Eliezer Nachum composed a book of responsa can be found in the approbations of the Jerusalem sages of his generation to Chazon Nachum (Constantinople 1748) as they write “… aside from the book of rulings and writings of responsa to all inquirers with whatever is needed.” The Chid”a, in Shem Gedolim , also mentioned a commentary on the Mechilta, Sifri, Rambam, Sefer HaItur , sermons and responsa among his compositions. [Also refer to: Benayahu, in his introduction to the commentary on the Mechilta, page 39.] And now his book of responsa has been discovered.
As mentioned, there are 30 responsa on a range on topics in the manuscript, the vast majority of the responsa are complete, but there are some are unfortunately lacking their conclusions.
The gaon Rabbi Eliezer Nachum was apparently born in Adrianople, Turkey c. 1760, his primary rabbi was kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Strimmer, He served as rabbi of Indrini for many years, and lived for a while in Constantinople, where he taught Torah. He moved to Jerusalem at seventy years old. About two years later the Jerusalem sages took him as their rabbi, naming him Rishon LeTziyon, a position he occupied for some ten years until his ascent heavenward in Cheshvan 1745. Rabbi Eliezer Nachum left a huge collection of his compositions, from which Chazon Nachum on Kadshim, Taharot and Zeraim was compiled, as well as his commentary on the Sifri and the Mechilta. His greatest disciples included Rabbi Binyamin Kazis, author of Megillat Sefer , Rabbi Rephael Yaakov Avraham Giron, author of Mikra Sofrim , and Tikkun Sofrim , Rabbi Shlomo Shalem Av Beit Din of Amsterdam, Rabbi Avraham Beche”r Avigdor, author of Zechor L’Avraham , stepson of Rabbi Avraham Karo [see sidebar] and the Chid”a who writes about him in his book, Shem Gedolim ‘And in his old age, he immigrated to Jerusalem and became its leader for about ten years and my eyes perceived the extent of the greatness of his Torah and his boundless humility. Until the very end of his life he wrote rulings and studied in-depth in yeshivah, reaching great heights.
Among Rabbi Nachum Eliezer’s responsa, there is a lengthy responsum from the wondrous gaon Rabbi Avraham Karo, possibly in his handwriting and with his signature, regarding a rebellious wife who does not want to accept a get (document of divorce ).
Rabbi Avraham, son of Rabbi Rephael Karo who was grandson of Rabbi Shlomo Karo, son of the author of Beit Yosef , was Rabbi Eliezer Nachum’s beloved disciple. When Rabbi Eliezer Nachum’s wife passed away, he married Rabbi Avraham’s mother, so that Rabbi Avraham became his stepson. Rabbi Eliezer related to him as a son and would refer to him with expressions of affection and honor. In Shem Gedolim , the Chid”a writes that he was diligent in Torah (study) and sharp-witted, he passed away short of days and years. A compilation of his Torah was printed in Rabbi Eliezer Nachum’s books. This responsum was printed according to a different manuscript in Kovetz Beit Aharon V’Yisrael , collection 46.
Discovery. Approbation of the author of Mishneh LaMelech on the author of Machaneh Ephraim ‘s responsum.
Rabbi Eliezer Nachum copied a responsum by the gaon Rabbi Ephraim Navon, author of Machaneh Ephraim , into his manuscript. Apparently the responsum came into his hand in manuscript while he was in Constantinople (see adjacent biography) before the publication of Machaneh Ephraim (that is, before 1738), and due to its importance, he copied it for himself. This important responsum is on the topic of a husband who was with his wife for ten years and she did not give birth, whether it is permitted for him to marry another despite his swearing to her that he would not marry another, eventually published in Machaneh Ephraim (Hilchot Shevuot, siman 2).
To our surprise, we discovered at the end of the handwritten responsum, that Rabbi Navon stipulates his ruling on the agreement of “… he who sits in judgment, the leader of our generation, crown of our glory … and according to his word the matter will be established” – words of the author of Machaneh Ephraim referring to the author of Mishneh LeMelech who was the rabbi of Constantinople – the author of Machaneh Ephraim was among the sages of his Beit Din.
And indeed, the author of Mishneh LeMelech concurred with his responsum and wrote “I have seen what was decreed upon her by one, the special one of the people, and who like him instructs, he is to be heeded, Yeudah Rozanes. Later, Rabbi Chaim Algazi also agreed with his responsum (his consent continues for six lines). The approbations of the rabbinic leaders of Constantinople were omitted, as mentioned, from Machaneh Ephraim .
[133] leaves, Ink on paper. Approximately 22×16 cm [the size of the leaves varies, such that some of the manuscript is made up of compilations written at various times].
Moderate condition. Worming holes. Aging stains. On leaf 111b, there is a comment in a different handwriting. Semi-leather binding.