Manuscript, homilies on Aggadah and halachic responsa, following the order of the weekly Torah portions. [Italy, ca. 19th century].
The sections were first arranged following the order of the Parashiot, yet the writer later deleted some of the names of the Parashiot and numbered the sections instead (sections 1-26). Each section opens with a poem. Leaf with table of contents (detached) at the end of the manuscript.
The identity of the writer of this manuscript is not clear to us, though it is obvious he was an Italian Torah scholar, and a nephew of R. Yitzchak Shimshon Malach (Torah scholar in Livorno, author of Seder Bnei Yisrael, Girsat HaNe'arim and Tikkun Yitzchak).
Section 5 contains a lengthy responsum on the topic of Metzitzah, where the writer demonstrates that Metzitzah is only a medical rather than halachic procedure in circumcision, and can therefore be omitted in light of scientific findings which prove it to be ineffective. He testifies that he performed many circumcisions without Metzitzah.
During the 19th century, the Metzitzah polemic spread in Germany and other parts of Europe. Not much is known about the development of the polemic in Italy, and the responsum found in the present manuscript sheds additional light on the matter, presenting the opinion of an Italian Torah scholar from those times.
Inscriptions in Italian script in several places.
[54] leaves (and additional blank leaves). 23 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor marginal tears to several leaves. Original card binding, slightly damaged.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.