This extensive work by the author on the Shulchan Aruch, Hilchot Shechitah, spans from Siman 1 through Siman 28, with in-depth commentary. The main text follows the format of the Shulchan Aruch, with significant elaboration, accompanied by two commentaries—Beit Yaakov and Ohel Yaakov, as well as responsa at the end. It was written in Sadigura and includes important rabbinical endorsements.
1879-1896.
Copies of approbations from notable rabbis, including:
Rabbi Uri, Chief Rabbi of Podu Iloaiei, (1884)
Rabbi Shalom Gobel, Chief Rabbi of Brezhiv (1889)
Rabbi Alter Mordechai Yaakov, Chief Rabbi of Bălți in Bessarabia (1883)
Rabbi Avraham Mendel Steinberg, Chief Rabbi of Sniatyn (1884)
The manuscript also includes responsa and rulings from leading rabbis of the time.
A noteworthy quote from his teacher, Rebbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, son of Rebbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, mentions the Mordechai on the first chapter of Chullin, referencing Rabbi Baruch and the laws of shechitah as cited by Eldad HaDani of the Ten Lost Tribes. According to Rebbi Abraham Yaakov, these laws emphasize the importance of wearing a head covering while performing shechitah and of ritual immersion under certain conditions. Rabbi Yaakov concludes that even though the Mordechai noted these as mere stringencies, Rebbi Avraham Yaakov viewed them as matters of great importance, reflecting the "Torat Emet"
On folio 279, there is a transcription from the responsa of the Baal HaTanya, differing slightly from the version printed in his responsa, page 289b.
Regarding the matter of shaving the hair prior to shechitah:
He copies from the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson, "And so, I summoned the expert shochtim from here in our community, who testified in the name of the late Rabbi Yisrael Leib, the shochet from our holy community, who recounted that the late righteous Rebbi, the teacher and leader of the holy community of Ropshitz, of blessed memory, traveled several times purposefully to this place, as the shochet from Pilev, from the land of Poland and one of the followers of Kotzk, wanted to establish an ordinance to shave the hair. The aforementioned rebbi protested loudly and came to seek the opinion of our great teacher, my esteemed grandfather, the late rabbi, author of Yeshuot Yaakov. He wrote to Pilev that he should not do this until an expert craftsman could examine each and every animal. Similarly, I was told by the revered and righteous Rebbi of Apta, of blessed memory, that during his attendance at a wedding in the holy community of Ustyluh, there was R. Binyamin, the shochet of Skaal, who wanted to collect signatures on this matter. The aforementioned rebbi rebuked him, saying that it was forbidden to do so, and therefore, heaven forbid, he should withdraw from this ordinance. If he does not retract, I will write to the righteous rebbi of Sadigura to instruct him not to implement it, as it is an absolute prohibition. I hope he will heed my words."
Further on this matter:
"Greetings to the esteemed rabbi, etc., Rabbi Yehiel Michel Toibes, Av Beit Din and Dayan of the holy community of Sadigura, may it be protected. While we are speaking, I remember that I instructed R. Yisrael, the shochet, not to shave the hair at the time of shechitah. Therefore, His Excellency should be so kind as to review what I have written, and if the shochet heeds his voice, all the better. If not, His Excellency should inform the righteous man there, for the holy tzaddik of Apta, of blessed memory, and the tzaddik of Ropshitz forbade it. Similarly, my esteemed grandfather, the author of Yeshuot Yaakov, also wrote as I have written here."
This excerpt, which was sent to Rabbi Yisrael, the shochet in Sadigura (the father-in-law of the manuscript’s author, Rabbi Yaakov Levin), was published in the sefaer hazikaron for the author of Minchat Yitzchak, and from there in the She’elot u-Teshuvot Shoel u-Meshiv, fifth series, sections V–VI.
Share this lot:
Lot #235