Bigdei Kehunah, Responsa and Novellae of the Maharzach, two parts, by R. Meshulam Zalman HaKohen Rabbi of Fürth. Fürth, [1807]. First edition.
Two parts in one volume. Part I – responsa on all four parts of Shulchan Aruch. Part II – novellae on Tractates Bava Metzia and Gittin.
A 23-line handwritten gloss on p. 10a (slightly trimmed), signed: "D.Sh.K., son of the author" – presumably "Divrei [=words of] Shlomo Kohen…". This gloss pertains to section 7 of Orach Chaim, where a responsum "from my son R. Shlomo Kohen, rabbi of Mergentheim and the district" was printed (section heading). This gloss contains an addition by R. Shlomo to his responsum which is printed in his father's responsa work.
The author, R. Meshulam Zalman HaKohen (1739-1820), rabbi and yeshiva dean in Fürth, a leading Torah scholar of his times and a renowned Tzaddik. A prominent disciple of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. He authored Responsa and Novellae of the Maharzach – Bigdei Kehunah, Mishan HaMayim, and more. The leading Torah scholars of the generation held him in very high esteem. The Haflaa refers to him with exceptional titles of honor. His disciple, R. Wolf Hamburg, writes about him: "Almost all the Torah scholars in our area are his disciples… until old age he enlightened his disciples with halachic rulings". Following his passing, his position as rabbi and yeshiva dean of Fürth was offered to the Chatam Sofer (see Chut HaMeshulash, pp. 81-84, where a letter from the Chatam Sofer on this topic is quoted).
R. Shlomo HaKohen (d. 1824), eldest son of the Maharzach, author of Bigdei Kehunah, and his close disciple. He served as rabbi of Schnaittach, Mergentheim and Zülz (Biała Prudnicka). An outstanding Torah scholar and Tzaddik, he was deeply revered by the leading Torah scholars of his generation. His father held him in high esteem, and even included two of his responsa in his book (as mentioned, this copy contains his handwritten addition to one of his responsa printed in his father's book). When he was appointed rabbi of Schnaittach, his father the Maharzach wrote to the community leaders: "My son the rabbi, the great luminary… R. Shlomo HaKohen… a man who encompasses all virtues, as all his acquaintances can testify… you will find satisfaction and pleasure in him and his Torah teachings… since G-d's wisdom is in Shlomo to do judgement and to instruct G-d's people with just and good statutes and laws, like one of the judges of Israel" (HaYeshiva HaRama BeFiurda, II, p. 538, footnote 284).
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on the title page: "Beit Midrash of R. Eli. Schluchtern"; "Belongs to me, Leib F.B."; "Yitzchak Friedberg", and another trimmed signature.
[2], 111, [1]; 50 leaves. 34.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Worming to some leaves. Stamps. New leather binding.