Beit Yitzchak responsa, Yoreh De'ah Part 2, by R. Yitzchak Shmelkish. Przemyśl, 1895. First edition.Long scholarly glosses in the charming handwriting of R. Gershon Hager, Rabbi of Tovste (Tlusta), a prominent rabbi in Vienna and in his twilight years, rabbi in NY. In one place he refers to Torah teachings which he wrote in his youth (Siman 112). A gloss on Siman 139 (Leaf 117/a) with signature: "Gershon Hager".
On the endpaper is an ownership inscription signed by the rebbe: "I think that I borrowed this book from my honored friend R. Moshe Preshil of Vienna… Gershon Hager, NY" and another penciled inscription: "I met the above person and he gave me this book as a gift". On another page is a "kvittel" written by the rebbe with the name of an ill person in need of deliverance: "Complete recovery to Tzivia daughter of Rachel for her eyes…".
R. Gershon Hager (1884-1954), son of R. Menachem Mendel of Zabolotiv was a close disciple of R. David Moshe of Chortkiv and spent the last Rosh Hashanah of his life in his presence. He served in the Tovste [Tlusta, Galicia-Poland] rabbinate. During WWI, he fled to Vienna and remained there for 25 years in the capacity of dayan and rabbi, and headed the Tomchei Torah Yeshiva as well. During the Holocaust, he escaped to NY, where he became known as the Zabolotiv Rebbe. He wrote Avodat HaGershuni and Zechut Avot.
[3], 164 leaves. 38 cm. Fair-poor condition. Brittle paper. Detached leaves. Damages and tears to margins, affecting text. Worn biding.