Manuscript, Hosha'anot for Succot, with the commentary by Rabbi Yitzchak Vene and his disciple Rabbi Yehiya son of R' Yosef Tzalach (Salah), the Maharitz, in the handwriting of the Maharitz. Yemen, [18th century].
Complete manuscript (without a title page), in small format. Neat, particularly elegant Yemenite handwriting, characteristic to the handwriting of the Maharitz. The commentary of the Maharitz appears below the vowelized text of the Hosha'anot. The titles and initials are decorated with red ink throughout the entire manuscript.
At the end of the work is a colophon signed by the Maharitz: "So far what I saw to write according to my limited knowledge and understanding…Yichiya son of R' Yosef son of R' Tzalach".
The Maharitz based his composition on the commentary of Rabbi Yitzchak Vene, and writes in his introduction: "…Know that most of the commentary of the Hosha'anot are based on the commentary of R' Yitzchak Vene. However, in a few places, he did not explain all that is necessary due to our limited understanding…and the fact that for him they are simple, and I explained them …". This composition eventually became part of the Tiklal siddur with his Etz Chaim commentary, with variations. Apparently, this is the Mahadura Kama (first edition) of the composition.
At the end of the manuscript [7] leaves were added, with "a blessing to the public after Simchat Torah". Possibly, these leaves are also in the handwriting of the Maharitz. Several leaves have marginalia from a later time.
Rabbi Yehiya son of R' Yosef Tzalach (Salah) - the Maharitz (1715-1805), was the most notable Yemenite rabbi in the 18th century and one of the leading Poskim Acharonim. Disciple of his grandfather Mari Tzalach and disciple of Rabbi Aharon HaCohen Araki, Rabbi Yechiya Araki and Rabbi David Mashraki, author of Shetilei Zetim. At the age of 43, he was appointed Chief Rabbi and Ra'avad of all Yemenite communities, a position he held for more than 45 years. His authority was unequivocally accepted in Yemen and until this day, many members of the Yemenite community follow his customs and rulings. He compiled the Tiklal siddur with the Etz Chaim commentary and many halachic works: Zevach Todah, Sha'arei Kedusha on the laws of shechita, Sha'arei Tahara on the laws of Nidah, Pe'ulat Tzaddik responsa and other books of halacha, mussar and Kabbalah.
[1], [42]; [7] leaves. 15 cm. (wide margins). Good condition. Stains. Worming. Without original title page (replaced by an illustrated title page created at a later time). New leather binding.