Auction 44 - Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters

She'elat Ya'avetz, Part 1 - First Edition, Altona, 1739

Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,625
Including buyer's premium
She'elat Ya'avetz responsa, Part 1, by Rabbi Ya'akov Emden. [Altona, 1739].
On the first page is the signature "Yisrael Meir" [apparently, the signature of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Freiman Av Beit Din of Ostrova, son-in-law of the author of Aruch LaNer (Otzar HaRabbanim 12265)].
On Leaf 126/b are corrections and instructions to the printer – apparently in the handwriting of the author, the Ya'avetz.
The author, Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Emden – the Ya'avetz (1798-1876), the eldest son of Rabbi Zvi Ashkenazi author of Chacham Zvi. An exceptional Torah genius, one of the greatest scholars of his illustrious times and considered one of the most prominent Achronim. He wrote dozens of compositions, most of which were printed in the printing press which he established in his home in the city of Altona. These compositions were printed in limited editions and can scarcely be found today. In spite of their rarity, his halachic compositions were reprinted and his books Mor U’Ketzia and his She’elat Ya’avetz responsa are mentioned often in the books of the poskim.
(Missing title page), 2-45, 45-48, 53-166 leaves. Erroneously, Pages 107/b-108/a were not printed and were replaced with leaves in Ashkenazi handwriting [characteristic to the beginning of the 19th century]. 33 cm. Thick, dark paper, good-fair condition, stains and worm holes. Old binding, not original.
Responsa and Halacha
Responsa and Halacha