Signatures of Rabbi Binyamin Wolf Lev, Author of 'Shaarei Torah', and Rabbi Michael Bacharach of Prague, Author of ...

Signatures of Rabbi Binyamin Wolf Lev, Author of 'Shaarei Torah', and Rabbi Michael Bacharach of Prague, Author of 'Arugot HaBosem' Talmud Yerushalmi Seder Nashim, Amsterdam 1754.

Talmud Yerushalmi Seder Nashim, with the Pnei Moshe and Mareh HaPanim commentaries, by R. Moshe Margolis. Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonius 1754. First edition of the Pnei Moshe commentary.

An ownership inscription appears at the top of the title page, handwritten and signed by the great Torah scholar R. Binyamin Wolf Lev: "G-d granted me this holy book, so says B. Wolf". P. 24a of Tractate Gittin contains a scholarly note (slightly trimmed) in his handwriting.

Additional signatures. Signatures in Atbash cipher appear on the title page and at the beginning of the preface, which when decrypted read: "Michael Bacharach" and "Michael".

The famous Torah scholar, R. Binyamin Wolf Lev (1777-1851), author of 'Shaarei Torah', was the rabbi of Vrbové in Hungary and son of R. Elazar Lev, author of 'Maase Roke'ach'. Famous Torah scholar, one of the prominent rabbis of the generation of the Chatam Sofer and R. Akiva Eiger.

Many great Torah scholars were his disciples, including the 'Machaneh Chaim' and the 'Kol Aryeh'. He left behind compositions on all subjects of the Torah, which were printed in his famous series - 'Shaarei Torah'. His first work was published at the young age of 26, receiving enthusiastic approbations from the leading Torah scholars of his time, R. Akiva Eiger, the 'Chatam Sofer' and Maharam Banet. R. Baruch Frankel, author of 'Baruch Taam', praised him in his approbation as an expert in analyzing all Talmudic topics, early and more recent halachic works. The 'Ktav Sofer' eulogized him as a master in Talmud and Halachic works, who did not cease to delve in Torah day and night, and seldom had physical enjoyment.

R. Michael Bacharach of Prague (1731-1801) was the grandson of the 'Chavot Yair', a leading Torah scholar in Prague and dayan in the Beit Din of the 'Noda B'Yehuda'. He left behind many works on the Talmud, Rambam and the four sections of Shulchan Aruch. 'Arugot HaBosem', two volumes, on the first fifty sections of Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, was printed from his writings (Machon Yerushalayim, 1985).

After the passing of the 'Noda BiYehuda', a dispute erupted in Prague as to who should take his place at the head of the Beit Din. According to the Noda BiYehuda's will, his son, R. Shmuel Landau, succeeded him, yet R. Michael Bacharach did not accept his authority, and in 1794 opened an opposing Beit Din which he headed with his friend the dayan R. Yaakov Ginsburg. A polemic book named 'HaOrev' was published anonymously in 1795, concerning this controversy and the contentions of the dayanim who seceded from R. Shmuel.

[2], 40; 27; 39; 19; 29; 25; 23; 2 leaves. 35.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Some dark leaves. Title page and first leaves are damaged, with old paper restorations. Old binding. Front cover detached, and missing spine.