Interesting bibliographic letter from the gaon Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Hirsch Latzkin, av beit din of Romanov, a suburb of Mohilev, about a manuscript-autograph by the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Immanuel Chai Riki. Romanov [Belarus], 1902.
Exceptionally rare letter from the gaon Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Hirsch Kletzkin, av beit din of Romanov, a suburb of Mohilev, sent to the sage Dr. Avraham Eliyahu Harkavi, about the sale of the sefer Hon Ashir-Dikdukei Aniyut handwritten by the sacred author, Rabbi Immanuel Chai Riki, zllh”h.
In his letter, the av beit din of Romanov writes that Hashem arranged that “this sacred manuscript” come to into his possession, authored by the the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Immanuel Chai Riki … he states the title, Dikdukei Aniyut [a commentary on Shishah Sidrei Mishnah, printed in Venice in 1731]. Its name was later changed to Hon Ashir due to an incident in which all of Rabbi Riki’s possessions were stolen. The thieves left only this manuscript behind, the only thing that remained from all of his wealth. He is interested in selling it for a price of 200 silver roubles. He therefore turns to Dr. Harkavi, whose occupation was manuscripts, and deciphering them, as perhaps Dr. Harkavi would like to purchase it.
The description of the manuscript, as provided by the av beit din of Romanov: “his manuscript from 1714, in Sephardic script, especially delicate script, 150 leaves …” He adds another interesting bibliographic detail: “in addition, this manuscript includes responses to the Christians, even according to the revealed Torah. It has never been printed, and researchers of these early times saw what he responded to the Christian scholars – simple arguments, yet sweet … there was nothing left to discuss …” (Regarding the progression of the printing and more, refer to the important article by Avraham Shisha in the HaDarom anthology, issue 34.)
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Hirsch Kletzkin and the addressee, the sage Avraham Eliyahu Harkavy .
[1] airmail postcard. 9×14 cm. Entirely [20 lines] handwritten, signed and stamped by him.
Very fine condition.