CHAIM SHABTHAI. (MaHaRCHa”SH). Torath Chaim [responsa]. Parts I, II and III (complete)

AUCTION 42 | Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 13

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

CHAIM SHABTHAI. (MaHaRCHa”SH). Torath Chaim [responsa]. Parts I, II and III (complete)

FIRST EDITIONS. Three parts bound in two volumes. Previous owners stamps and signatures including stamp of R. Eliahu Chaim Meisel, Rabbi of Lodz on title of Part I and R. Yehoshua Heschel Teomim Frankel son of the Baruch Taam, R. Baruch Teomim Frankel, on title of Part III Part I: ff. 5,148; Part II: ff. 4, 128; Part III: ff. 8, 192. Some leaves lightly browned, slight marginal repair on verso of title of Part III, small hole on title of Part I. Modern morocco. Folio Vinograd, Salonika 211, 212 & 223

Salonika: 1713, 1715 and 1722

Est: $2,000 - $3,000

The earliest recorded responsa from the New World Torath Chaim, Vol. III, Responsa no. 3, discusses the appropriate season to pray for rain. The inquiry was sent from the Jewish Community of Recife, Brazil to R. Chaim Shabthai, Chief Rabbi of Salonika, and one of the outstanding scholars of his time. The circumstances of living in the tropical climate of Brazil created concerns regarding preserving the traditional season to recite the Prayer for Rain. “Thus making the New World’s first contribution to the Responsa Literature.” See M.A. Cohen, Sephardim in the Americas, American Jewish Archives vol. XLIV (1992) p. 218