Sefer "Responsa Mayim Chaim, " in two parts, authored by Rabbi Chaim HaKohen Rapoport, Av Beit Din of Ostroh.
Zhitomir, printed by Rabbi Hanina Lipa and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, grandsons of the Rabbi of Slavuta, 1857-1858.
First edition. With approbations from Rebbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and the "Sar Shalom" of Belz.
[42], 62, [1], 64-76 leaves, Mispaginated.. With the "Otzerot Chaim" pamphlet, which has its own title page.
Nice margins, 33 cm.
Ancient annotations from the time of printing.
In the first part, section 27, a question is printed that was sent from Medzhybizh to Rabbi Meir, Av Beit Din of Konstantyn (the son of Rabbi Yaakov Emden), concerning a question about "sircha" (a problematic condition found in the lungs of a slaughtered animal). The local rabbi had ruled it permissible, but his ruling was disputed by several prominent members of the community. Among the signatories on the question letter is "Yisrael Baal Shem [=Baal Shem] of Telust" – none other than our master Rebbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov. In response, Rabbi Meir provided a lengthy answer, validating their concerns and opposing the ruling of the rabbi of Medzhybizh. The response begins with several lines of honorifics and expressions of respect for the Baal Shem Tov: "Champion of Judah and Israel… provider of healing and remedy… the distinguished and famous rabbi by the good name of Rabbi Yisrael, may he live long…" (The interpretation and significance of these lengthy and flowery titles at the beginning of this responsum have been discussed extensively in scholarly literature).
From the vast teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, no original writings have survived except for a few letters, such as the famous letter he sent to his brother-in-law, Rabbi Gershon of Kitov, which some Hasidic leaders considered as important as laying tefillin. The letter before us is the only one that deals with halachic matters, and the only one that has survived together with a response letter!
Both parts of the sefer are bound in one volume, the first part covering matters of Orach Chaim and Yoreh De’ah, and the second part dealing with Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat. A total of five title pages.
The responsa also include answers from the author’s elders and uncles, who were among the great sages of the generations. At the beginning of the sefer, a letter from the "Ohev Yisrael" of Apta is printed, which was sent to the author, containing an endorsement of the author’s ruling. The letter is printed among the sefer’s endorsements, serving as a kind of approval for the author.
Stefansky Chasidut, no. 341.
Overall Great condition, some marginal water stains, later cloth binding
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Lot #169