Auction 72 - Rare and Important Items
Manuscript, Minchat Ani – Rabbi David Sinzheim, Leading French Rabbi and President of the Grand Sanhedrin Established by Napoleon – Handwritten by the Author, with a Preface Signed by him – Additions by his Disciple and Son-in-Law, Rabbi Avraham Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $10,625
Including buyer's premium
Manuscript, Minchat Ani, Part III, Talmudic topics in alphabetical order, by R. Yosef David Sinzheim. Paris, 1810.
A large autograph manuscript. On the title page is a signed preface, dated Menachem Av 1810, in which the author tells of composing the book while away from his home and study hall, traveling on behalf of the community, carrying its burdens "which are imposed upon me at all times, routine and non-routine matters". The author did not have access to many books while writing this work; in many places he later added: "I attained the book…"; "After a long while, I attained…".
The manuscript contains several additions handwritten by the author's son-in-law and disciple, R. Avraham Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn (see, for example, p. 102a).
This work consists of six parts, each arranged in the alphabetical order of the topics. Only Parts I and V were published (Minchat Ani, Machon Yerushalayim 1975-1984). The other four parts stand to be published.
Rabbi Yosef David Sinzheim (ca. 1736-1812), was one of the leading French Torah scholar of the past few generations and president of the Grand Sanhedrin established by Napoleon. He was born in Trier (southwestern Germany), where his father, R. Yitzchak Isaac Sinzheim, served as rabbi. In 1778, he founded a yeshiva in Bischheim (Alsace, France) together with his brother-in-law R. Naftali Hertz Medelsheim (Herz Cerfbeer of Medelsheim). The yeshiva later relocated to Strasbourg. In the early 19th century, he was appointed by Napoleon as president of the Grand Sanhedrin – a Jewish high court convened by Napoleon in order to legalize the status of the Jews in France. In this position, he very wisely dealt with various attempts to reform Jewish practices. R. Sinzheim was eulogized by the Chatam Sofer and his words portray the esteem in which he held him: "…This tzaddik whom we are eulogizing, R. David Sinzheimer, author of Yad David, was very honored and close to Paris royalty and was asked about a number of issues. He responded to their questions and was greatly esteemed by the king and the officers… Nonetheless, he studied Torah all his life, completing the Talmud several times, and was proficient in all the books of the Rishonim and Achronim as can be discerned from his book. I knew him in my youth and also later, I could recognize his righteousness in our correspondence…". R. Sinzheim left many Torah writings, including Yad David on the Talmud, Minchat Ani on Talmudic topics and Shelal David on the Torah. Many volumes of his works were printed by Machon Yerushalayim.
R. Avraham Auerbach (1763-1845), disciple of R. Natan Adler and colleague of the Chatam Sofer, was a leading rabbi of Germany and the Rhinelands. Son of R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach Rabbi of Bouxwiller (1724-1768), and son-in-law of his uncle R. David Sinzheim. He was raised by his grandfather R. Tzvi Hirsh Auerbach Rabbi of Worms, and later studied under R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt am Main, together with the Chatam Sofer (who later eulogized him; see: Ishim BiTeshuvot HaChatam Sofer, p. 20). He served as rabbi of several German communities. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Bonn. His descendants include prominent rabbis and Torah leaders, including his eldest son, R. Tzvi Binyamin Auerbach – author of Nachal Eshkol and Rabbi of Darmstadt and Halberstadt, and his son R. Aharon Auerbach, Rabbi of Bonn.
[1], 136, [15] leaves. 29 cm. High-quality greenish paper. Good condition. Stains and wear. Loose leaves. Original, damaged and worn binding.
A large autograph manuscript. On the title page is a signed preface, dated Menachem Av 1810, in which the author tells of composing the book while away from his home and study hall, traveling on behalf of the community, carrying its burdens "which are imposed upon me at all times, routine and non-routine matters". The author did not have access to many books while writing this work; in many places he later added: "I attained the book…"; "After a long while, I attained…".
The manuscript contains several additions handwritten by the author's son-in-law and disciple, R. Avraham Auerbach Rabbi of Bonn (see, for example, p. 102a).
This work consists of six parts, each arranged in the alphabetical order of the topics. Only Parts I and V were published (Minchat Ani, Machon Yerushalayim 1975-1984). The other four parts stand to be published.
Rabbi Yosef David Sinzheim (ca. 1736-1812), was one of the leading French Torah scholar of the past few generations and president of the Grand Sanhedrin established by Napoleon. He was born in Trier (southwestern Germany), where his father, R. Yitzchak Isaac Sinzheim, served as rabbi. In 1778, he founded a yeshiva in Bischheim (Alsace, France) together with his brother-in-law R. Naftali Hertz Medelsheim (Herz Cerfbeer of Medelsheim). The yeshiva later relocated to Strasbourg. In the early 19th century, he was appointed by Napoleon as president of the Grand Sanhedrin – a Jewish high court convened by Napoleon in order to legalize the status of the Jews in France. In this position, he very wisely dealt with various attempts to reform Jewish practices. R. Sinzheim was eulogized by the Chatam Sofer and his words portray the esteem in which he held him: "…This tzaddik whom we are eulogizing, R. David Sinzheimer, author of Yad David, was very honored and close to Paris royalty and was asked about a number of issues. He responded to their questions and was greatly esteemed by the king and the officers… Nonetheless, he studied Torah all his life, completing the Talmud several times, and was proficient in all the books of the Rishonim and Achronim as can be discerned from his book. I knew him in my youth and also later, I could recognize his righteousness in our correspondence…". R. Sinzheim left many Torah writings, including Yad David on the Talmud, Minchat Ani on Talmudic topics and Shelal David on the Torah. Many volumes of his works were printed by Machon Yerushalayim.
R. Avraham Auerbach (1763-1845), disciple of R. Natan Adler and colleague of the Chatam Sofer, was a leading rabbi of Germany and the Rhinelands. Son of R. Aviezri Zelig Auerbach Rabbi of Bouxwiller (1724-1768), and son-in-law of his uncle R. David Sinzheim. He was raised by his grandfather R. Tzvi Hirsh Auerbach Rabbi of Worms, and later studied under R. Natan Adler in Frankfurt am Main, together with the Chatam Sofer (who later eulogized him; see: Ishim BiTeshuvot HaChatam Sofer, p. 20). He served as rabbi of several German communities. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Bonn. His descendants include prominent rabbis and Torah leaders, including his eldest son, R. Tzvi Binyamin Auerbach – author of Nachal Eshkol and Rabbi of Darmstadt and Halberstadt, and his son R. Aharon Auerbach, Rabbi of Bonn.
[1], 136, [15] leaves. 29 cm. High-quality greenish paper. Good condition. Stains and wear. Loose leaves. Original, damaged and worn binding.
Manuscripts
Manuscripts