Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
Manuscript, Responsum on the Recital of the Malachei Rachamim Piyyut – Handwritten by the Author, Rabbi Shimshon Morpurgo, Author of Shemesh Tzedakah
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Unsold
Manuscript (5 pages), halachic responsum regarding the recital of the piyyut Malachei Rachamim, by R. Shimshon Morpurgo Rabbi of Ancona. [Ancona, 1728].
Neat copying, presumably produced by the author himself, with handwritten emendations and marginal additions. The present responsum is published in his book Shemesh Tzedakah (Orach Chaim, section 23), with textual variations. The additions added here in the margins were incorporated in the printed responsum.
The responsum discusses the Ashkenazic custom of reciting the piyyut Malachei Rachamim, which arouses the halachic question of addressing angels instead of praying directly to G-d. The printed version of the responsum is preceded by a short introduction, stating that it was issued in response to a fierce argument between two leading Torah scholars of Trieste as to whether one is allowed to recite this piyyut. R. Shimshon explains at length why the recital of the piyyut should not be abolished.
R. Shimshon concludes the responsum by stating that it was written in Ancona in 1728. This is followed by his signature. In the printed version of the responsum, the emphasized letters in the chronogram amount to 1722 (presumably a mistake).
R. Shimshon Morpurgo (1681-1740), prominent Italian rabbi, served as rabbi of Ancona for twenty years. He was the disciple of R. Shmuel Aboab, R. Menashe Chefetz and R. Yehuda Briel. In his capacity as rabbi of Ancona, he earned the reputation of one of the leading Italian halachic authorities, responding to halachic queries from all over Italy. He took part in the major polemics, joining R. Moshe Hagiz in the polemic against the Sabbatean Nechemia Hayyun. Some of his responsa were printed in Shemesh Tzedakah, published by his son. The book earned a place of honor in halachic literature.
Inscription on verso, in a different hand: "Ruling of the Shemesh Tzedakah on supplications recited by the Ashkenazim".
Sheet of paper folded into four, approx. five written pages. Approx. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Folding marks.
Neat copying, presumably produced by the author himself, with handwritten emendations and marginal additions. The present responsum is published in his book Shemesh Tzedakah (Orach Chaim, section 23), with textual variations. The additions added here in the margins were incorporated in the printed responsum.
The responsum discusses the Ashkenazic custom of reciting the piyyut Malachei Rachamim, which arouses the halachic question of addressing angels instead of praying directly to G-d. The printed version of the responsum is preceded by a short introduction, stating that it was issued in response to a fierce argument between two leading Torah scholars of Trieste as to whether one is allowed to recite this piyyut. R. Shimshon explains at length why the recital of the piyyut should not be abolished.
R. Shimshon concludes the responsum by stating that it was written in Ancona in 1728. This is followed by his signature. In the printed version of the responsum, the emphasized letters in the chronogram amount to 1722 (presumably a mistake).
R. Shimshon Morpurgo (1681-1740), prominent Italian rabbi, served as rabbi of Ancona for twenty years. He was the disciple of R. Shmuel Aboab, R. Menashe Chefetz and R. Yehuda Briel. In his capacity as rabbi of Ancona, he earned the reputation of one of the leading Italian halachic authorities, responding to halachic queries from all over Italy. He took part in the major polemics, joining R. Moshe Hagiz in the polemic against the Sabbatean Nechemia Hayyun. Some of his responsa were printed in Shemesh Tzedakah, published by his son. The book earned a place of honor in halachic literature.
Inscription on verso, in a different hand: "Ruling of the Shemesh Tzedakah on supplications recited by the Ashkenazim".
Sheet of paper folded into four, approx. five written pages. Approx. 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text. Folding marks.
Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures – Italian
and Sephardi Rabbis
Manuscripts, Letters and Signatures – Italian
and Sephardi Rabbis