Freid, Joseph. Sepher Ohel Yoseph [responsa]

AUCTION 37 | Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

Back to Catalogue Download Catalogue

Lot 12
(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

Freid, Joseph. Sepher Ohel Yoseph [responsa]

First Edition ff.(2), 39. Lightly browned, opening leaves worn, shaken, previous owner’s label stapled on to first two leaves, tear in lower left margin of wrapper. Contemporary boards, loose. Folio Friedberg, Aleph-770

New York: A. Ch. Rosenberg 1903

Est: $400 - $600
The First Work of Responsa published in America by an American Rabbi. Contains many contributions from R. Yitzchak Elchanan of Kovno and the “Alter of Kelm,” R. Simcha Zissel Ziv. The responsa depict the economic, social and religious conditions of the Jews of New York at the beginning of the 20th century. Addresses issues such as whether to allow Kohanim who were lax in their religious observance to recite the priestly blessings; the status of bread baked on the Sabbath in a bakery with Jewish employees; travel by ferry on the Sabbath; constructing a Sukkah on a fire escape, etc