Sefer Shu”t Noda BiYehuda, First Edition, Parts One and Two, authored by Rabbi Yechezkel HaLevi Segal Landau, Av Beit Din of Prague.
Prague, 1776-1777, at the press of Moshe Katz, later renewed by his grandson Yisrael Jitelesh at the home of the author’s student, the Gaon Rabbi Zerah Eidelitz. This is the first edition, printed during the lifetime of the author. Both parts are bound in one volume, with a separate title page
for the second part.
The first title page bears the signature of the renowned Rabbi Yosef Feimer (the elder), Av Beit Din of Slutsk: "Yosef of Slutsk, Ish Feimer."
Several significant antique glosses appear in the sefers’s margins (partially cut off).
The famous Gaon Rabbi Yosef Feimer, Av Beit Din of Slutsk: Known as Rabbi Yossele Slutzker (1757–1864), he was one of the great Torah scholars of Lithuania and a leading disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. He was among the first students of the Volozhin Yeshiva, where he received ordination and guidance for the rabbinate. He served as Av Beit Din of Luchinik (where the young Yisrael Salanter, later the father of the Mussar movement, studied under him). From 1829, he served as Av Beit Din of the prominent city of Slutsk.
After the passing of his colleague Rabbi Itzele of Volozhin, Rabbi Yossele Slutzker was considered the leading sage of the generation. He led a committee of rabbis to oversee the Volozhin Yeshiva and headed a delegation to Saint Petersburg to try to annul the Cantonist decree. He corresponded on complex halachic matters with leading sages across Lithuania and issued responsa on practical halachic questions. Known for his humility, he led the community with firmness and respect for Torah. Most of his writings were lost in a fire, but the remnants were published as "Drashot U’Biurim LaTorah" and "She’elot U’Teshuvot Rabbeinu Yosef MiSlutsk."
The Chida writes in his work Shem HaGedolim about this sefer: "His responsa are founded on the principles of sharp reasoning and clarity. His wisdom is evident from his writings, as he was a great sage and a distinguished leader of his generation, a mighty scholar of Israel. The greatness of his honor is immeasurable…"
The Baal HaTanya said of the sefer’s author: "The Rabbi of Prague was unparalleled in his rulings. God was with him, and he hit the mark of truth in every ruling. Even regarding the lengthy responsum in Siman 72, though many sages of the generation disagreed with him, the truth of the matter was with him, and he ruled correctly both in theory and practice." (Mofet HaDor, p. 74).
Printing History of the Sefer:
The sefer was printed in stages. The printing began in Adar 1776, as noted on the title page: "And at the end of Adar, the printing of Sefer Yechezkel began, 5536." It was completed in Tevet 1777, as stated in the colophon at the end of Part Two: "And it was completed on the 28th of Tevet, 5537."
Sections 90–93 in Part One (including his famous responsum opposing the recitation of "L’Shem Yichud") were written in Sivan 1776, a few months after the printing began. Upon the sefer’s completion, the author delivered a special sermon to mark the event on Erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat 1777.
The author’s son, Rabbi Yaakovka of Brody, wrote in the introduction to the second edition (Prague, 1811):
"From the day the printing press was established in Prague until now, no sefer has been produced with such elegance and beauty as this. The author spared no expense and did not seek assistance or support. Once completed, he distributed many copies as gifts, and the rest were sold at a fixed, equal price for all sellers. Even when wealthy individuals offered to purchase a copy from him directly, he politely refused, saying: ‘My favor is not upon you; the sefer is available in stores. Anyone wishing to purchase may do so without favoritism.’ As far as I can tell, the revenue from sales did not cover the printing costs he personally bore."
Antique signature: Pinchas Klein.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 309.
[2], 86, [9], [1], 157 Leaves. 32 cm.
Overall Very Good Condition, few stains, very minor marginal worming to title page, old binding damaged
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Lot #64