* She’elot U’Teshuvot Divrei Ya’akov by Rabbi Ya’akov Schorr, known as ‘the gaon of Kitov.’ Kolomyya, 1881. First edition. Owner’s stamp at the top of the title page indicating ownership by the rabbi of the Land of Israel, Rabbi Shmuel Salant.
Important handwritten biographic notation on the title page, under the inscription “Rabbi of Dorna and Environs” noting “clearly a mistake – should be ‘Ludmir’.”
Rabbi Ya’akov Schorr [1853-1928] was one of the most prominent rabbis of Eastern European Jewry at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Rabbi Ya’akov was the primary disciple of the author of Sho’el U’Meishiv , and lived in his home for a few years. He was a rabbi in many cities including Ludmir, and became known as the rabbi of Kitov. He is known by this position, as “the gaon of Kitov.” (Refer to Encyclopedia L’Chachmai Galicia , Part II, 67-78 for a more extensive biography.)
54, 57-58, 58-80 leaves, 30 cm.
Bound with:
* Sefer HaHashlamah L’Seder Nezikin L’Rabbeinu Meshulam b”r Moshe b”r Yehudah MiBadrish , Part I. Paris, 1885. The owner’s stamp of Rabbi Shmuel Salant, rabbi of the Land of Israel, appears at the top of the title page.
XIX pp, 50 leaves. 30 cm. The copy before us includes only the part on Bava Kamma.
The gaon Rabbi Shmuel Salant [1816-1909] was the esteemed rabbi of Jerusalem for approximately 70 years, and leader of all the Ashkenazic communities in the Land of Israel. He was renowned as a child prodigy and genius. When he was just barely bar mitzvah age, he received a letter from his rabbi, the gaon Rabbi Abele Fasswaller, Ra”avad of Vilna, with a complex question related to arranging a divorce document. This letter demonstrates that his rabbi already relied on his rulings as the rulings of an expert Torah instructor. In his youth, he studied as chavrutah with the gaon Rabbi Yisrael of Salant [patriarch of the mussar movement]. He was summoned to the Land of Israel in 1841 to assume the highly respected position of rabbi of Jerusalem and leader of the Perushim. He founded educational and chessed institutions there, as well as a beit din, and established the Ashkenazic community. He is especially renowned for his astonishing memory as well as his rare brilliance.
Overall fine-very fine condition: Brittle paper. minimal aging stains. Simple binding.