Sidrei Taharot on Tractate Kelim, by Rebbe Gershon Chanoch Henich Leiner, rabbi of Radzin (Radzyń Podlaski). Józefów: Brothers Solomon and Baruch Setzer and Yechezkel Renner, 1873. First edition.
Sidrei Taharot is an original, comprehensive and brilliant work on Tractate Kelim. Since there is neither Babylonian nor Jerusalem Talmud on Tractate Kelim, the author compiled a kind of "Gemara". The center of the page is occupied by the text of the Mishnah, followed by all the teachings of the Babylonian Talmud, Jerusalem Talmud and Midrashim pertaining to that Mishnah. The text of the Mishnah and Talmud is flanked by two commentaries from the author and compiler – one lengthy and one brief. The lengthy commentary is a discussion of the opinions of the Rishonim and Acharonim on the topic, and the brief commentary is a concise explanation of the words. The work is structured in a similar style to that of the Talmud – each Mishnah is followed by the word "Gemara", and the text even parallels the typography of the Talmudic tractates (the body of the text, in square typeface, occupies the center of the page, and is flanked by a brief commentary similar to Rashi on one side, and a lengthier commentary replicating Tosafot, on the other – both in Rashi script. Ein Mishpat and Masoret HaShas are printed in the margins). A great controversy arose at the time surrounding this work. Some of the rabbis of Vilna published a statement opposing the work, as a matter of principle, concerned that a composition so closely resembling the Gemara might eventually be mistaken as an integral part of the Talmud. On the other hand, the work earned the approbations of many of the leading Torah scholars of the generation. Due to the opposition it engendered, the heading "Sefer Sidrei Taharot" was added at the top of each page of Part II, with a notice at the foot of each page that the work is "compiled from the teachings of the Tana'im and Amora'im" (see in more detail in Kedem Auction 70, sidebar near item 165).
A folded plate at the end of the book features a map of Eretz Israel, showing the borders of the land.
[10], 540, 543-544 pages + [1] plate (map). 37 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears and worming to some leaves, not affecting text. Deleted stamp on title page. Inscriptions on front endpaper. Map in fair condition: Stains. Minor open tears. Tears repaired with paper on verso. Plate trimmed, with slight damage to text and illustration. Extensive wear, creases and marginal open tears to folded lower margin, affecting text. Old leather binding, damaged (with tears and worming). Without spine.