Bidspirit auction | Shaagat Aryeh – Slavuta, Shapira

Shaagat Aryeh – Slavuta, Shapira Press – Revised Edition – “Kuntres Acharon” Printed for the First Time - Shaagat Aryeh, profound and incisive halachic discourses and novellae by the great Gaon Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginzburg, Av Beit Din of Metz, author of Shaagat Aryeh. Slavuta, printed by the holy Rabbi Shmuel Avraham Shapira. Title page dated 1832; approbations dated 1833. Revised edition. The important Slavuta edition of one of the fundamental works of halachic scholarship and analysis. Shaagat Aryeh, renowned for its depth, incisiveness and distinctive analytical style, established its author among the foremost Acharonim, and his teachings have been extensively discussed throughout subsequent halachic and Talmudic literature. The present edition was printed at the celebrated Chassidic Shapira Press in Slavuta, one of the most renowned and sought-after Hebrew printing houses in the history of the Jewish book. At the beginning of the volume is an extensive collection of approbations by leading rabbis and Torah scholars, including the rabbis of Brisk, Slabodka, Novogrudok and other communities. Of particular interest is the approbation of the Gaon Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, Av Beit Din of Ostroh, who explicitly praises the Slavuta printing house, referring to “the excellent and magnificent press of the renowned Chassidic rabbi, descendant of holy men, Av Beit Din of the holy community of Slavuta…” – contemporary testimony to the exceptional reputation enjoyed by the Shapira Press for the quality of its sacred Hebrew books. This edition contains, for the first time, a “Kuntres Acharon” by the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Leib of Vilna, comprising additions and supplements to the work – an important feature distinguishing this edition. An additional and unusual feature of the present copy: seven rare leaves have been bound at the end, headed: “Addition to Sefer Shaagat Aryeh, consisting of two responsa…” These leaves are not included in the collation of the copies described by the National Library of Israel and were apparently taken from the Königsberg edition and added to the present copy. This addition gives the volume particular bibliographical interest. The author, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginzburg, the Shaagat Aryeh (ca. תנ”ה–תקמ”ה), was one of the greatest Torah scholars of the 18th century. He served as rabbi of Volozhin and later as Av Beit Din of Metz. Renowned for his extraordinary genius, incisiveness and profound analytical abilities, his name became synonymous with exceptional Torah scholarship and erudition. His Shaagat Aryeh, comprising extensive halachic discussions of fundamental issues, was received with great admiration in the batei midrash and became one of the classic works of the Acharonim. His other celebrated works include Turei Even and Gevurat Ari on tractates of the Talmud. Numerous ownership inscriptions. Ownership marks. 2, 90, [7] leaves. 33.5 cm. Moderate condition. Worming. Several tears with losses. Worn binding.