Bidspirit auction | Notes by a Torah scholar,

Notes by a Torah scholar, including Chiddushim and a record tracking his order of study over many years. A fascinating historical document from the life of a Torah scholar in the early 19th century. - Notes by a Torah scholar, including Chiddushim and a record tracking his order of study over many years. A fascinating historical document from the life of a Torah scholar in the early 19th century. “I merited to complete it with peace of mind and prosperity, yet I completed it amid great distress that befell me at that time, for I had become exceedingly impoverished, as all the merchandise I possessed was taken from me on account of an old and longstanding debt, and nothing whatsoever remained to me, until Hashem, blessed be He, awakened me from Heaven, as is known, on Monday, the second day, upon completing the four tractates of Chullin and Moed, 1815”—personal notes of a Torah scholar, Chiddushim and a record of his study of the Shas. [Germany], 1808–1819. Includes [4] leaves, comprising: [2] leaves, 31 cm and 21 cm, containing records of every tractate studied, with the date of commencement and completion noted. The overwhelming majority of tractates were begun on the very day the previous tractate was completed. After beginning Tractate Berakhot in 1808 and completing the Shas in 1815, he resumed the study of the Shas the following day, tractate after tractate, until completing Seder Kodashim in 1819. One leaf, 17 cm, a list of [20] Halakhic rulings in disputes between the Tannaim. On the reverse of this leaf is a notation in old German. One leaf, 15 cm, with [5] Chiddushim on the Shas and [5] “Heichi Tamtzi” questions for sharpening study. It is possible to attempt to trace the identity of the author based on several biographical facts appearing in the present writings: His brother-in-law was Rabbi Hirsch; in his home he conducted a Siyum on Tractate Megillah on Purim, 1811. On April 1814, he served as Sandak at the circumcision of his grandson, the son of his daughter. In October 1814, all his merchandise was confiscated due to an old and longstanding debt, leaving him destitute. In January 1818, he was gravely ill, yet, with Hashem’s help, he completed Tractates Keritot and Kinnim, recovered, and continued his studies. In April 1815, he completed the study of the entire Shas on his 65th birthday, indicating that he was born in April 1750. As a merchant and Torah scholar, the author records within his notes his supplications to Hashem for prosperity and good health. Stains; fold marks on [2] leaves; on the large leaf there are tears along the fold lines with loss of text; varying condition, fair to good.