Sefer Dvar Shmuel, a collection of responsa by the "wonderful rabbi, master of Torah, " the renowned Rabbi Shmuel, son of Rabbi Avraham Abohab, was one of the greatest scholars of Italy of all time, serving as the rabbi of Venice for many years. He was revered by the sages of his generation and earned the title "Rashba."
Only Edition, Venice, 1702.
With a lengthy introduction by the author’s son, Rabbi Yaakov . At the end, there is a detailed index.
At the end of the sefer, in response number 375, the following title appears: "A letter written in the name of the General Assembly regarding the matter of Sabbatai Zevi and Nathan of Gaza – a memorial for the people of Israel." This is an exceedingly important letter addressing the harmful effects of these individuals and detailing the destruction they have wrought upon the vineyard of the House of Israel. It was written in 1668. The letter is signed by the leading figures of the time: Rabbi Yaakov HaLevi, the author Rabbi Shmuel Abohab, Rabbi Shlomo Chai Saraval, Rabbi Moshe Treves, Rabbi Senior Ben Danan, Rabbi Moshe Zacuto, Rabbi Yitzchak Min HaLeviim, and Rabbi Yosef Alulansi. In addition, it states: "And I, Yaakov… of Ancona, of blessed memory, the scribe of the holy congregation, sign on behalf of all the heads and leaders of the state, " including Rabbi Baruch Alfarin, Rabbi Menashe Marari, Rabbi Meshulam Levy, Rabbi Yosef Yeshurun, Rabbi Yaakov Tzuidal, Rabbi Yitzchak Baruch Carvalho, and Rabbi Don Yitzchak Abarbanel/
Afterward, there appears a significant and foundational testimony by Nathan of Gaza before the Venetian court, in which he denies what he had previously published about having seen the "Divine Chariot, " as described by the prophet Ezekiel. He admits that he was mistaken, stating, "I was deceived, and there is no truth to that vision." He signed the testimony with his name, "Nathan Benjamin." Additionally, there are testimonies from other courts, including Constantinople, and the conditions set for him by the court in Ispahan. All of this dates to 1668, a year that was crucial in the decline of Sabbateanism.
With impressive antique inscriptions & signatures, possibly from the year 1780, of Rabbi Hillel Kohen of Galgor?, son of Rabbi Mordechai Baruch Kohen, who was the son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Abele, the chief rabbi of Rohatin.
There are also stamps from Rabbi Chaim Wolf Gavriel Oselka (1868-1938) the chief rabbi of Krashniv, later of Grabawitz in the Lublin province, who authored several works on Talmudic dialectics and Aggadah.
The Author, Rabbi Shmuel Abohab: (1569 – 1694) was one of the greatest scholars, decisors, and Kabbalists of Italy. He was one of the leaders of the Jewish community in Venice and among the foremost opponents of the false messiah Sabbatai Zevi (may his name be erased).
Born in Hamburg to his father, Rabbi Avraham, who was part of the community of Spanish exiles and who had also established a magnificent synagogue in the city. At the age of 12, Rabbi Shmuel began to write down his Torah insights and composed an entire book of interpretations and homilies. A year later, his father sent him to Venice to study under Rabbi David Franco, the head of the yeshiva there, who cherished him greatly. Although Rabbi David passed away about a year after Rabbi Shmuel’s arrival, Rabbi Shmuel considered him his primary teacher. At the age of 18, Rabbi Shmuel married Rabbi David’s daughter. In 1638, he moved to Verona, where he established a community in the Portuguese tradition and a yeshiva that became renowned throughout Italy.
In 1650, Rabbi Shmuel was invited to serve as the rabbi of Venice, a position he held until the end of his life. He also headed the large yeshiva in Venice, which was the hub for the city’s Jewish scholars and leaders. All communal matters were decided in this yeshiva. Rabbi Shmuel began responding to halachic queries from across Italy and beyond, and in his humility, he did not sign his name alone but included the names of the other yeshiva scholars. Due to his clear rulings, Rabbi Shmuel was respectfully called "Rashba" – an acronym of his name, which also alluded to Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet, one of the foremost medieval authorities known for his halachic responsa.
Rabbi Shmuel’s responsa were published in the present sefer, which became highly esteemed and frequently cited by later scholars. He also anonymously published the Sefer HaZikhronot to inspire the Jewish people to fulfill the mitzvot and fear Heaven, especially in areas where the glorious Italian Jewish community had begun to be influenced by the surrounding Gentile society. Rabbi Shmuel’s home was a gathering place for scholars, and many prominent Torah scholars and emissaries from the Land of Israel stayed there, including the Chacham Tzvi, who later related how honored he was to receive a blessing from "this great man in wisdom and fear of sin."
Despite his greatness and righteousness, Rabbi Shmuel did not shy away from accepting the burden of exile. At the age of 80, he began to travel from city to city and country to country before returning to his home near the end of his days. Among his notable students were Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Hagiz, Rabbi Shimshon Morpurgo, and others. 28.5cm
[6], 104 Leaves. 28.5 Cm.
Overall Great condition, thick quality pages, few stains, some marginal water stains, original binding detached, damaged spine.
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Lot #82