Besamim Rosh. Berlin, 1793. With the Signature of the Author of "Sha'arei Torah" on the Title Page

Besamim Rosh. Berlin, 1793. With the Signature of the Author of "Sha'arei Torah" on the Title Page

"The book of responsa Besamim Rosh ... compiled by ... Yitzchak Di Molina ... brought to print with some in-depth glosses ... and I will call them ... Kiseh D'Harsenah, I the young one, Shaul [Levin Berlin] ..." Berlin, [1793]. With the signature of Rabbi Binyamin Wolf Leow, author of "Sha'arei Torah" on the title page.

Specifications: [4], 110, [5] leaves, paper. 30 cm. With ownership signatures including that of the author of Sha'arei Torah and the stamp of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch HaCohen. Handwritten glosses and additions in the index of the responsa.

Unique Features: Signature of the author of Sha'arei Torah on the title page: "G-d granted me this, says the small one, B. Wolf ...."

Responsum 251, which praises the deep study of Greek philosophy and gentile scholars, was crossed out, and next to it was written "This responsum was not written by the Rosh." Today, the prevalent opinion is that this work is a forgery, and that it was written by the one who brought it to print. Refer to: Sefer Zikaron Degel Machane Reuven (Bnei Brak, 2015) page 366, and refer also to M. Samet, R' Shaul Berlin V'Ktavav, Kiryat Sefer, 43, 1968, pages 429-441.

Rabbi Binyamin Wolf Leow [c. 1771-1851], was born in Poland to his father Rabbi Elazar author of Shemen Rokeach. Teacher of Torah and a tremendous genius. Served as rabbi of Ruspasha and Amshenov in Poland, Kalin which is in Bohemia, Topoľčany and, beginning in 1827, in Verbo which was then in Hungary. Refer to the introduction to Sha'arei Torah [Vienna, 1850], and in Otzar HaRabbanim 3840.

Condition: Fine. Slight tear on the title page. Aging stains. Fine condition.