Auction 25 Gemarot with Handwritten Glosses by The Vilan Gaon and other rare and unique items
Jul 3, 2012 (Your local time)
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 21:

Holy Manuscript of Rabbi Yishaya HaLevi Horowitz, Author of "HaShelah HaKadosh" – Signed Glosses From his Book ...

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$ 30,000
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Holy Manuscript of Rabbi Yishaya HaLevi Horowitz, Author of "HaShelah HaKadosh" – Signed Glosses From his Book "Bigdei Yesha" and A Lengthy Gloss by his Son Rabbi Sheftel HaLevi
Manuscript leaf, in ancient, magnificent Ashkenazi writing. Leaf from book "Bigdei Yesha" on the “Mordechai” on tractate Shabbat, with additional handwritten glosses by the author, the holy Ga’on Rabbi Yishaya Horowitz, author of "Shnei Luchot HaBrit" (HaShelah HaKadosh), with the majority of the glosses also signed with his mark “Y” or “Yish” or “Yishaya”. [Late 16th century].
The margins of the manuscript contain a lengthy gloss in the handwriting of his son, the righteous Ga’on Rabbi Sheftel HaLevi, author of "Vavei HaAmudim", in which he discusses his father’s approach, and writes, “…And it occurred to my genius father, who responded at great length…”. (The gloss was written during his father's lifetime).
"Bigdei Yesha," which includes commentaries and glosses of the Shelah on the Mordechai, was first printed in Amsterdam in 1757 (the Vilna Shas edition contains the composition on the Mordechai); it is a “commentary on Rabbi Mordechai with Chiddushim on the Shas, Rif, Rambam, Tur and Beit Yosef on Seder Mo’ed” (wording of the title page). In his book of the Shelah, Rabbi Horowitz mentions the composition a number of times. His son, Rabbi Sheftel, mentions the composition in his book "Vavei HaAmudim," and he notes that the composition is “a work of immense inspiration”.
When comparing the contents of this manuscript with the printed book, it appears that the entire manuscript, both the original text and the handwritten glosses and additions in the margins of the manuscript, are quotes of Rabbi Horowitz from his essay "Bigdei Yesha". An expert examination of the manuscript clearly shows that the glosses were written in the typical handwriting of the Shelah, and it is quite possible that the entire text is in his handwriting.
Rabbi Yishaya HaLevi Horowitz (1570-1630) was one of the Torah giants and greatest, righteous Kabbalists of his generation. He was a famous and righteous Hassid throughout the entire Diaspora, and a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Leibush of Lublin, a disciple of Rabbi Yehoshua Falk Cohen (author of "Sefer Me’irat Einayim") and a disciple of the Maharam of Lublin. He served in the rabbinates of Dovna, Ostrog, Frankfurt am Main and Prague. In 1621, Rabbi Horowitz immigrated to Eretz Israel and served as first rabbi of the Ashkenazim in Jerusalem as well as “Nesi Eretz Israel.” He is buried in Tiberias, in close proximity to the graves of the Rambam and Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai.
He is known by the name of his book "Shnei Luchot HaBrit," which covers ethics, Halacha and concealed wisdom, and is known as the "Shelah HaKadosh". The Shelah is one of the three luminaries referred to by the title “HaKadosh”: HaAri HaKadosh, HaShelah HaKadosh and the Or HaChaim HaKadosh.
His son, Rabbi Sheftel HaLevi Horowitz (1592-1660, Otzar HaRabbanim 18052), was too amongst the Torah giants of his generation and an exalted Hassid. He was famous for his vast knowledge and greatness in revealed and concealed facets of the Torah. He served as Chief Av Beit Din of Prague, and afterwards served in the rabbinates of the congregations of Fürth, Frankfurt am Main, Vienna and Posen.
Leaf with script on both sides, 21 cm. Good condition. Stains. Professionally restored tears. (Restored) missing tear with slight damage to text. Thick and fancy leather binding with printed leaf of Tefilat HaShelah.
For additional information related to this manuscript, see the “Yeshurun” Collection, volume 15, Nissan 2005, pp. 50-81.