Knesset Yechezkel responsa by Rabbi Yechezkel Katzenelbogin Av Beit Din of the Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek communities. Altona, [1732]. First edition printed in the author's lifetime. On the verso of the title page is a star-shaped poem.
On the left margins of the title page is an interesting ownership inscription signed by Rabbi Avraham of Danzig, author of Chayei Adam written in his youth: "Belongs to my father…R' Moshe Meisel, Monday, the 3rd of Nissan 1765 in [--?], AV.R.M., Avraham of Danzig".
More signatures and ownership inscriptions of renowned rabbis: Signature of Rabbi "Dov Ze'ev Katz" [apparently, Rabbi Dov Ze'ev Katz Rappaport Av Beit Din of Pintshev, c. 1833, renowned Torah scholar, descendent of the Shach]. On the last leaf is an ownership inscription that the book belongs to "The great Torah scholar R' Shmuel --- Av Beit Din of Wiślica in Poland". On the (detached) endpaper are ownership inscriptions of Rabbi Avraham Yehuda HaCohen [Schwartz] of Mád [author of Kol Aryeh] signed by his disciple "Natan Neta Teitelbaum".
Rabbi Avraham Danzig (1748-1821) a leading Torah scholar in his times, disciple-companion and mechutan of the Vilna Gaon, author of basic halachic books: Chayei Adam, Nishmat Adam, Chochmat Adam, etc. Born in Danzig, son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel [Rabbi Avraham was accustomed to signing "Avraham son of R' M. of Danzig, or as in this book "AV.R.M" (=Avraham son of Rabbi Michel) Avraham of Danzig]. In his youth, Rabbi Avraham studied in Prague under the Nodah B'Yehuda and other Torah scholars. After his marriage, he settled in Vilna in proximity of the city's illustrious Torah figures, headed by the Vilna Gaon, discussing Torah with him, eventually becoming his mechutan, at the time Rabbi Avraham's son wed the Vilna Gaon's granddaughter. In his book Chayei Adam, Rabbi Avraham cites many teachings in the name of the Vilna Gaon, however he also disagrees with him in several places causing dissent. Therefore, in his book Chochmat Adam, Rabbi Avraham refrained from quoting the Gaon so as not to openly disagree with him.
He dealt in trade, however Torah study remained his main priority. He was one of the leaders of the Vilna community, and he himself affirms that his opinion on Torah matters was sought at all times and no issue in Vilna was decided without first consulting him. Only in his old age, due to financial difficulties, did he finally agree to officially accept the position of a Torah authority in Vilna. Rabbi Avraham had close relationships with the prominent rabbis of his times: Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Rabbi Ya'akov of Lisa, author of Chavot Da'at and with Rabbi Meir Pozner, author of Beit Meir.
His books were accepted throughout the entire Jewish world even during the author's lifetime as basic halachic books although they were written in a time resplendent with Torah sages, the generation of the Vilna Gaon, as Rabbi Avraham himself writes in his introduction to the second edition of Chayei Adam. The "Chayei Adam Societies" which sprouted throughout Lithuania and Russia for studying the book attest to its great success. These societies already began to form during the lifetime of the author as his friend Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin writes: "…His book Chayei Adam…has spread throughout the Jewish world". His works became the primary books of Torah rulings in Lithuania until the time of the Mishnah Brura which quotes him ubiquitously and heavily relies on his rulings. Outside of Lithuania, his books became rudimentary Torah literature as well. The Chatam Sofer has reputedly asserted that Torah authorities can rely on the rulings in these books whenever they lack the time to study the halachic sources themselves. Indeed, many great Torah authorities in his generation and of later times extensively quote his books and discuss his writings, valuing his opinion.
Rabbi Avraham also wrote piyyutim and prayers, including the Tefillah Zaka, said at the beginning of Yom Kippur. He lived to the age of 73, the Gematria of the title of his book Chayei Adam.
130 leaves. 34 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and mildew. Damages to margins of title page. Non-contemporary binding.