Bidspirit auction | Maseches Brochos. J. Shapotshnick. Variant

Maseches Brochos. J. Shapotshnick. Variant Edition with rare page of approbations. London 1921. - First volume of Maseches Brochos with commentaries, arranged by Joseph Shapotshnick of London. There are different variants of this book. In most copies, the book contains 68 pages and then 6 additional unnumbered pages with the Gemora text and the author’s commentary around it. In this copy, a page was added after page 68 [69-70], with a large facsimile of a letter by the Admor R. Yechezkel of Ostrovtsa to Shapotshnick and additional facsimiles. This page is lacking in many copies. This is then followed by six numbered pages of the Gemora and the commentary which are marked 71-76 but it is seemingly lacking the final page(s). Joseph Shapotshnick (1882–1937), was a non-conformist (albeit learned) Rabbi who lived in London. A prolific author of numerous self-published books, pamphlets, newspapers and journals on a wide variety of subjects, he was often at odds with the established Rabbinate in England. Following World War One and the resulting “Aguna” crisis caused by tens of thousands of soldiers missing in action, he proposed a novel “Halachic” solution releasing at one time 40,000 Agunos. This entirely discredited him and a proclamation was issued against him signed by hundreds of venerable Rabbonim. Tschernitzki press. 68, [2], 71-76 pages. 36 cm. Overall fine condition. Original binding with interesting depictions. Several pages detached and lacking final page(s). Opening bid $150