Responsa Mahari Ashkenazi, by R. Yoel Ashkenazi Rabbi of Zlotchov. Munkacs (Mukachevo), 1853. First edition. With the approbation of the Kedushat Yom Tov, Rebbe of Sighet (son-in-law of the author).
Handwritten inscription on the title page, identified as the handwriting of R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich, attesting that he received the book from the Atzei Chaim Rebbe of Sighet: "I received this book as a gift from my friend, R. Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum [=the Atzei Chaim of Sighet] son of the Rebbe, rabbi of Sighet [=the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet].
A penciled ownership inscription on the front endpaper, handwritten by his nephew R. Moshe Yehuda Leib Ehrenreich, attests that the book belonged to his father - R. Chaim Tzvi Ehrenreich Rabbi of Mád: "This precious book belongs to my father, dayan and posek of Mád, Moshe Leib Ehrenreich".
Another inscription on that same page: "This book belongs to the one who acquired it… R. Chaim Tzvi".
R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich, rabbi of Hejocsaba and Shamloy (Șimleu Silvaniei; 1863-1944), grandson of R. Avraham Yehuda Schwartz author of Kol Yehuda and rabbi of Mád. An outstanding Torah scholar, kabbalist and Chassid, he was a foremost Halachic authority and Orthodox rabbi in Hungary, a close follower of the Kedushat Yom Tov, rebbe of Sighet and a friend and admirer of the latter's son, Rebbe Yoel of Satmar. He was revered by the rabbis and rebbes of his generation for his erudition in Torah and exceptional fear of G-d. R. Shalom Eliezer of Ratzfert attested that there was no halachic authority in that generation akin to the rabbi of Shamloy. R. Avraham Yehoshua Freund of Năsăud, a leader to thousands of Chassidim, would stand before him in great submission. The Darchei Teshuva defined him as a second Shaagat Aryeh. His books include: Responsa Lechem Shlomo, Tiyul BaPardes, Rachamei HaAv and others.
His brother, R. Chaim Tzvi Ehrenreich (1873-1936), son-in-law of his uncle R. Naftali Schwartz author of Beit Naftali. He was the disciple and only brother of the rabbi of Shamloy. He received a rabbinic ordination from his brother, as well as from the Kedushat Yom Tov of Sighet. In 1897, he was appointed rabbi of Mád, Hungary. He authored several halachic works, including Responsa Kav Chaim, Ketzeh HaMateh on Mateh Efraim, and Chaim on Shaarei Efraim. Following his passing, his brother R. Shlomo Zalman published the Yikra DeChaim booklet (Shamloi 1937) - eulogy on his brother and on the Minchat Elazar of Munkacs.
R. Chaim Tzvi Ehrenreich's son - R. Moshe Yehuda Leib Ehrenreich (1904-1944), was the son-in-law of R. Shmuel Zalman Weinberger Rabbi of Margareten (Marghita). He served as dayan and posek in Margareten. In 1937, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Mád. He left behind a manuscript composition - Zichron LeMoshe on the Torah. A few responsa he authored are published in Yikra DeChaim (New York,
1971). He was murdered on 26th Sivan, 1944.
Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, author of Atzei Chaim (1880-1926), son of Rebbe Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, the Kedushat Yom Tov. In 1904, he succeeded his father as rabbi of Sighet (Sighetu Marmaţiei) and as rebbe of the Sighet Chassidic court. He was the son-in-law of Rebbe Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfert son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. He frequented the courts of the Tzaddikim of his generation, in particular his uncles Rebbe Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova and R. Baruch of Gorlitz, as well as Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz. He was an outstanding Torah scholar, exceptionally holy and G-d-fearing. Reputedly, he never forgot anything he learned, and he was renowned from his great perspicacity. Shortly following his appointment at the age of 24 (!) as rabbi and rebbe of Sighet (capital of the Maramureș county), he became known as one of the leaders of Hungarian Jewry, who established the national policies of the Orthodox bureau of the country. He had a great impact over almost all Orthodox communities in Hungary, whether in Chassidic or Ashkenazi circles. His opinion bore weight regarding the appointment of rabbis, dayanim and shochetim, especially in communities with a dominant constituency of Sighet Chassidim (Sighet was the largest and principal Chassidic court in Maramureș). He was the older brother and prime teacher of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar.
R. Yoel Ashkenazi, author of this book (1810?-1882), rabbi of Zlotchov (Zolochiv), son of Rebbe Moshe David Ashkenazi Rabbi of Tolcsva and Safed. A close disciple of R. Yaakov of Lissa author of Netivot HaMishpat and Chavat Daat, and son-in-law of his daughter. He was the prime teacher of the Maharsham of Berezhany. He was the father-in-law of his nephew the Kedushat Yom Tov rebbe of Sighet - father of the Atzei Chaim of Sighet and R. Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, who bore his name. Rebbe Meir of Premishlan testified regarding the author's rulings: "When he rules, the Upper courts rule likewise". The Maharsham of Berezhany, the author's disciple, wrote in one of his responsa, that all the author's leniencies and permissions originate from his teacher, the Chavat Daat (Responsa Maharsham, VI, section 73). The grandson of the author, Rebbe Yoel of Satmar, wrote in his approbation to the 1974 edition of this book: "For surely such a prominent book, authored by an outstanding Torah scholar and Tzaddik of the previous generation, will bring blessing to one's home".
[4], 100 leaves. 33 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears to title page and several other places, slightly affecting text. Original binding, worn, partially detached.