Shaar Efraim, responsa by R. Efraim HaKohen of Vilna (grandfather of Chacham Tzvi). Sulzbach, [1688]. First edition.
This copy contains glosses by R. Moshe Hagiz. On p. 21b, gloss handwritten by R. Moshe Hagiz in Ashkenazic script, beginning with the acronym he customarily signs his glosses with: "so says HaMeniach…" [HaMeniach = HaTza'ir Moshe ben Yaakov Hagiz]. The present gloss was photographed and printed in the Kerem Shlomo anthology (issue 85, year IX, booklet 5, Adar 1986, pp. 8-9; and later printed in the margins of the 2010 edition of Responsa Shaar Efraim).
Three additional glosses handwritten by R. Moshe Hagiz, in Sephardic script, on pp. 87a, 93b and 95a (the glosses contain references to books printed in ca. 1710s). These glosses are unpublished.
Early signature (deleted), and stamp of "Jews' College London" on the title page.
R. Moshe Hagiz (1672 – ca. 1750-1760) – outstanding Torah scholar in halachah and kabbalah, a foremost Sephardic rabbi in Jerusalem, and prominent Torah leader in Ashkenazic countries. He was born in Jerusalem in 1672 to R. Yaakov Hagiz, author of Halachot Ketanot. He was orphaned of his father at a young age, and was raised by his grandfather R. Moshe Galante, HaRav HaMagen, who was the head of the Jerusalem rabbis. R. Moshe Hagiz was the disciple of the leading Sephardic Torah scholars in Jerusalem, and of his brother-in-law R. Moshe ibn Habib (son-in-law of R. Yaakov Hagiz). In 1694, after the passing of his grandfather R. Moshe Galante, he travelled as emissary to Egypt and other countries. His travels extended into an exile of forty years, during which he wandered through Europe and lived in Livorno, Venice, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Emden and Hamburg. During those years, he adapted to writing in Ashkenazic script as well (which facilitated his correspondence with prominent European rabbis). Examination of the script of his first gloss in this book, reveals motives derived from the Sephardic script he was accustomed to from a young age.
R. Moshe Hagiz was involved in rabbinic matters in Ashkenazi countries, and his opinion on halachic and communal matters was respected by the Torah leaders of the generation. He was renowned for his uncompromising battle against the Sabbatian Nehemia Hayyun of Amsterdam, alongside Chacham Tzvi and the Yaavetz. He was consequently compelled to relocate to Germany, where he lived for over twenty years. He authored many works, on halachah, ethics and kabbalah (he also composed polemic books against Sabbatianism and the writings of Nehemia Hayyun). His Torah thoughts also appear in the many books he published of the teachings of his father, grandfathers and teachers, where he inserted his additions, glosses and forewords, signing: "so says HaMeniach". (See M. Benayahu: Books Composed and Books Edited by Rabbi Moses Hagiz, Alei Sefer, II, 1976, pp. 154-160).
In 1738, he finally returned to Eretz Israel, settling in Sidon and Safed. There are conflicting opinions about the year of his death and his place of burial. The Chida in Shem HaGedolim writes that he reached Sidon in 1738, and passed away in Safed in 1760 at the age of close to ninety (see: Shem HaGedolim, Maarechet Gedolim, Mem, 123). According to a different version, he passed away ca. 1750. According to Luncz (Jerusalem, year I, 1882, pp. 119-120), he travelled from Safed to Beirut to seek medical care, passed away there, and was buried in Sidon.
[2], 3-114 leaves. 32 cm. Fair-good condition. Dark stains. Wear and tears. Damage to text at foot of final leaf. Tears and wear to foot of first three leaves, repaired with paper. Several detached leaves. New leather binding.