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Mishneh LaMelech, novellae and commentaries to Mishneh Torah LehaRambam, by R. Yehuda Rosanes. Hamburg, 1790.
On the front endpaper, dedication handwritten by R. Moshe Yehoshua Yehuda Leib (Maharil) Diskin: "Given as a wedding gift to my intelligent, sharp and outstanding disciple, R. Naftali Katz".
Another inscription was added near it (presumably handwritten by R. Naftali Katz, recipient of the book): "Received as a gift from the outstanding Torah scholar, R. Yehoshua Yehuda Leib Diskin".
Other ownership inscriptions on this leaf and on the back endpaper.
R. Moshe Yehoshua Yehuda Leib (the Maharil) Diskin (1817-1898), a leading rabbi of his generation, defender of faithful Judaism, known as "the Saraf of Brisk", for the exceptional levels of fear of G-d he attained. He left his mark on Jerusalem for posterity. In 1844-1877, he served as rabbi of several prominent cities in Lithuania and Belarus: Mezeritch (Mezhirichi), Kovno (Kaunas), Łomża, Shklow and Brisk (Brest). In 1877, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. There, a group of prominent geniuses gathered around him, and he delivered his brilliant, profound lectures before them. The Ashkenazi rabbi of Jerusalem at that time was R. Shmuel Salant, but the communities of zealots in Jerusalem (natives of Hungary and others), who did not appreciate R. Shmuel Salant's moderate style of leadership, appointed the Maharil Diskin as their rabbi. This situation generated some occasional friction between him and R. Shmuel Salant, who differed from him in his views, temperament and personality. The Maharil Diskin was reputed for his zeal, the battles he waged and the excommunications he issued against anyone who tried to breach the barriers of Torah-true Judaism in Jerusalem at that time, against maskilim, schools and the study of foreign languages. He founded his yeshiva Ohel Moshe in Jerusalem, as well as the famous Diskin orphanage.
The Maharil Diskin was gifted with a brilliant mind and the capacities of a genius, and at the same time was renowned for his exceptional degree of fear of G-d. Reputedly, every Friday night, when he reached the words of the prayer "We shall serve him with fear and awe", his face would go fiery red, and the vein in his forehead would swell and bulge - a sight which inspired fear in the hearts of the spectators, every week anew. Some of his disciples would come every Friday night specially to gaze at his countenance. Even on the last Friday night of his life, less than a day before his passing, as he lay unconscious, his voice was heard whispering these words, and all those present witnessed his face going red and the vein in his forehead swelling and bulging (HaSaraf MiBrisk, pp. 118-121). Many stories of wonders and salvations occurred through him, and his blessings and prayers never went unanswered. His disciple, R. Yaakov Orenstein, wrote: "We saw with our own eyes how many sick people rose from their death bed through his holy prayers" (ibid, p. 467). The leading Torah scholars of his generation venerated him and were in awe of him. R. Eliyahu Chaim Meisel Rabbi of Łódź stated: "He is the leader of the entire Diaspora, and we are all worthless compared to him". The Beit HaLevi once said to his son R. Chaim of Brisk: "I have not yet reached half the fear one should have from him". The Baal HaTechelet, Rebbe of Radzin wrote: "It is known that there is not one person in the entire generation who reaches the ankles of this Tzaddik" (ibid, p. 3).
[2], 20; 63; 89; 34; 71 leaves. Name of book and place of printing in red ink. 37 cm. Fair condition. Stains, dampstains and wear. Tears to several leaves. Tears to front endpaper and title page, affecting text on verso of title page. Binding incomplete and damaged, lacking spine and back cover.
An expert report is enclosed, confirming that the dedication was handwritten by the Maharil Diskin.