“The complete sage Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati of Ancona asked as follows: We have been struck in the Etz Chayim yeshivah …” (the Chid”a, Shu”t Chayim Sha’al Part I siman 40)
Manuscript: Sefer Me’il Shmuel , commentary on pessukim in Nevi’im and Ketuvim and on pesukim in the Torah and sayings by the sages, by the complete sage, Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati, an Italian sage from the Chid”a’s generation, and the head of Yeshivat Shalom in Ancona. [Italy, c. 1700.]
Important discovery in the Torah of Italian sages. Complete, significant work covering over 100 written pages, authored by one of the leading members of that generation of giants, including the Chid”a (whose responsum to him is cited above); the Ohr HaChayim HaKadosh; the light of the seven seas, the Besh”t; and the leading Kabbalist, the Rash”sh. This manuscript is even more important due to its being the only surviving work by the sage Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati. Until its discovery, there was no known work by him!
Contents of the manuscript:
Pages [2-3]: Written at the top of the manuscript: “I, Moshe Shmuel, ” followed by an author’s preface in which he discusses why he chose the title Me’il Shmuel for his sefer .
Pages [3-96]: the body of the sefer , some with titles at the tops of the pages. Noted in the margins of leaf [33]: “As such … the complete sage, our teacher Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati ztzuk”l …” and noted in the middle of leaf [37]: “… and the pleasant singer of Israel, Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati ztzuk”l …”
Pages [97-98] are blank.
Pages [99-110] are a continuation of the manuscript, concluding with “The passuk says that Yitzchak lives – because through Yitzchak you shall have children.”
Pages [111-114]: etching of graphic forms, some in ink and some etched without ink, as well as some quill trials.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the complete sage Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Niniati .
Approximately [57] leaves, of which approximately [100] pages are written in Italian script. Approximately 9×13 cm. The form of the quill and the type of paper change throughout the manuscript, and it is evident that it was written over time. As far as we know, the manuscript was not printed.
Fine condition. Minimal aging stains. New semi-leather binding.