Sheilot V’Teshuvot Shearit Yosef by Rabbi Yosef Katz of Krakow, brother-in-law of the Rema.
Unique features: Signature of Rabbi Naftali Hirsh son of Yisrael HaKohen of Satanow, Rav in Berditchov during the era of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov. He corresponded with the the Baal HaTanya regarding a halachic issue.
Backround: Some of the most noted responsa of the Baal HaTanya relate to “Sirchot HaRaya” (siman 12 14), in his responsa printed at the end of the Shulchan Aruch. They begin with an answer to a question posed to him when he was in Berditchov in 1810: “In agreement and following the rabbi..the genius and chassid…Levi Yitzchak ztz”l, Av Beit Din in Berditchov….” While he was still in Berditchov, he received a question from the Rabbi of Brisk, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Katzenelboigen, regarding this decision.It seems that the Baal HaTanya’s response reached Berditchov on its way to Brisk, and the Rav there, R’ Naftali Hirsh HaKohen, wrote a responsa disagreeing with the Baal HaTanya, with the addition of a question on the sugya from Bava Kama. The Baal HaTanya answered the rav’s questions.Rabbi Naftali was not satisifed with the Baal HaTanya’s response and sent him a rebuttal. However, that rebuttal was not printed in the aforementioned work of responsa, but was preserved in Rabbi Naftali’s manuscript Tiferet Yeshara, that includes elucidations on the Torah and responsa. It was printed in two locations, the section regarding “sirchot” was printed in the Ohalei Tam journal (section five) and the section regarding the sugya in Bava Kama was printed in the Migdal David compilation, section five, p. 19. This is also the source of our information.
Condition: Moderate. Light brown stains. Various blemishes to a number of leaves. Minimal worming holes.