Torat Moshe, commentaries and homiletics on the verses of the Bible and Midrashim, and Talmudic novellae, by R. Moshe son of R. Elazar Phoebus of Zlotova. With many teachings heard from the rabbis of his generation (predominantly from his teacher R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Posen and Fürth). Nowy Dwór, 1796. Only edition.
Copy of R. Akiva Eger. Ownership inscription in the center of the title page (somewhat indistinct and trimmed), handwritten and signed by R. Avraham Eger, eldest son of R. Akiva Eger: " Belongs to my father, the great luminary R. Aki[va Eger] of Eisenstadt, presently rabbi of Märkisch Friedland, signed by his son… Avraham… Erev Shabbat 26th day of the Omer, 17[98]".
R. Akiva Eger (1761-1837), an eminent Torah scholar in his times. Born in Eisenstadt to R. Moshe Güns and the daughter of the first R. Akiva Eger (rabbi of Pressburg, author of Mishnat D'Rabbi Akiva). Before he reached bar-mitzvah age, he already studied in the Breslau Yeshiva under the tutelage of his uncle and teacher R. Binyamin Wolf Eger and at fifteen, began delivering Torah discourses. After his marriage in 1778, he moved to Lissa to the home of his father-in-law R. Itzik Margolies. In spite of his young age, he was regarded as one of the leading scholars of the city which was the hub of Torah study at that time.
In 1792, he was appointed rabbi of Märkisch Friedland (Mirosławiec) and established a yeshiva in the city. In 1815, he began his 23-year tenure as rabbi of Posen until his death in 1837. In Posen, he founded a yeshiva and taught many disciples. He cherished teaching his disciples and this pursuit took precedence over writing Torah novellae and responsa to the thousands of queries which reached him daily from all corners of the world. A holy person with Divine inspiration, although supremely humble and gracious, he insisted upon the honor due to the Torah and the rabbinate. He used his authority to lead the communities in the Posen district (Northern Poland and Prussia) and fiercely and successfully fought the Reform movement and those who attempted to tear down the walls of Torah observance. He issued many regulations and established many public institutes. (In the realm of his rabbinical duties, he was accustomed to visiting every ill person who resided in the communities. After his strength waned in his senior years, he appointed special emissaries to visit the ill in his stead and requested to receive their names so he could pray for them).
His descendants were also leading Torah scholars: His eldest son R. Avraham Eger (1781-1853) from the city of Rawicz, who edited his father's writings (with his own additions signed "A.A.B.H.H." – Amar Avraham Ben HaRav HaMehaber, Avraham, son of the author said); R. Shlomo Eger (1786-1852), one of Warsaw's most influential Jews and his father's successor in the Posen rabbinate, author of Gilyon Maharsha and other books; his renowned son-in-law R. Moshe Sofer, author of the Chatam Sofer who after the death of his first wife, wed the daughter of R. Akiva Eger (Rebbetzin Sorel, mother of R. Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Wolf, author of the Ktav Sofer and R. Shimon Sofer, rabbi of Krakow).
[1], 2-38, [2] leaves. 19 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Open tear to title page, affecting printed text and ownership inscription (with old paper repair). New binding.