(Sdei Chemed, 1834-1904). Letter Signed, written to R. Akiva Yoseph Schlesinger.
Auction 95 |
Thursday, November 11th,
2021 at 11:00am
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters, Ceremonial & Graphic Art
Lot 27
MEDINI, HAIM HEZEKIAH
(Sdei Chemed, 1834-1904). Letter Signed, written to R. Akiva Yoseph Schlesinger.
Hebron: 22nd Iyar 1893
Est: $800 - $1,200
PRICE REALIZED $1,300
R. Chaim Chezkiyahu Medini’s fame rests upon his monumental halachic encyclopedia, Sdei Chemed. Born in Jerusalem, he lived in Constantinople and from 1867 to 1899 was of Kara-su-Bazar /Qarasuvbazar in the Crimea (present day Bilohirsk, Ukraine, annexed by Russia).
The recipient, R. Akiva Yoseph Schlesinger (1838-1922), longtime resident of Jerusalem, was born in Pressburg and was intimately connected with the famed Sofer family: His mohel was the Chasam Sofer, he studied in the yeshiva of the Kesav Sofer and his most famous work, “Lev Ivri” is a commentary to the ethical will of the Chasam Sofer, calling for an unswerving adherence to tradition. Nonetheless, R. Schlesinger could also be unusually innovative - within the confines of Jewish law.