Bidspirit auction | Copy of the Holy Rabbi

Copy of the Holy Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh Hakohen Rappoport-Hartstein of Samotor the Baal Tokea of the Yismach Moshe in Újhely. - Chiddushei Halachot on the tractates Beitzah, Bava Metzia, Ketubot, Chullin, and Gittin, authored by Rabbi Meir (the Maharam) Schiff. Brünn, [1798]. On the title page and on the flyleaf appear ownership inscriptions of the gaon Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh Rapoport-Hartstein of Sámatár: “Belongs to the distinguished rabbi, the eminent and wealthy leader, Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh Kohen Rapoport of Ohel.” “This sefer, Maharam Schiff, belongs to the learned and distinguished rabbi, greatly versed in Torah, Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh of Ohel—may his stature be exalted.” Beneath this appears another inscription:  “Given to me by the distinguished Torah scholar and God-fearing nobleman, my mechutan , Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh, may he live long. Signed: Moshe, son of the late Rabbi Shmuel.” An earlier ownership inscription reads:  “Belongs to the great rabbi, the righteous, sharp and exalted scholar, the noble leader Rabbi Moshe, son of Rabbi Shmuel, of Battyán.” His signature also appears:   “Moshe, son of Rabbi Shmuel of Battyán.” Several early manuscript marginal glosses. The Holy Yismach Moshe of Uhel, located near Samotor, would customarily wait for the righteous Rabbi Pinchas to arive before singing the ”Bnei Heichala” song . Once, Rabbi Pinchas was delayed, and the Yismach Moshe refused to start, saying, ”He is one of the Bnei Heichala, and how can I begin before he arrives?” He was an elder of the Ujhel-Sighet Chassidism. A tzaddik and outstanding Torah scholar, he served as shofar blower of the Rebbe, author of Yismach Moshe, in Ujhel. The Yismach Moshe would study the intentions behind the shofar blasts with him during the month of Elul. His grandson, R. Avraham Abele HaKohen, in his preface to the sefer Shalshelet HaZahav (biography of R. Naftali HaKohen, author of Semichat Chachamim, Mukachevo 1931), writes about his grandfather: ”He was famous for his piety and for his Torah proficiency to the point that tales were told about him reminiscent of stories related about the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov…”. The Sighet Rebbe, author of Yitav Lev (grandson of the Yismach Moshe), cites Torah teachings in the name of Rabbi Pinchas Aryeh in his sefer Yitav Panim: ”I heard its explanation from Rabbi Pinchas Somotor at the time he completed the Mishnayot by heart…” (Part I, p. 92b; he also mentions him in Part II, p. 6b). When Rabbi Pinchas passed away in 1843 and was laid to rest near the Ohel of the Yismach Moshe, the Yitav Lev inscribed his gravestone with grand titles. It should be noted that Rabbi Moshe son of Rabbi Shmuel of Battyán (Boťany) also had a connection with the Yismach Moshe (see Kedem Auction 72, lot 131, a Shulchan Aruch that first belonged to the Yismach Moshe and afterwards to Rabbi Moshe of Battyán). He too apparently belonged to the circle of the Rebbe’s inner court. [1], 90 Leaves. 36.2cm.