Talmudic novellae to Tractate Berachoth (until folio 24a)

In his introduction, the author states he will concentrate on explaining the order of passages in the Talmud, why more than one answer might be needed in determining knotty problems and also focus upon questions Tosfoth on Rashi's commentary. He excuses himself for not being able to live up fully to expectatons as he wrote a good part of the commentary when sick. In addition, it was written "during days of siege and distress and the great uproar of the awful war". He ends on a Messianic note, cites "those who seek to determine the end of the days" (Mechsvei Kitzin) - the bitter Galuth will end in 1925, as per the Malbim in his commentary to the Book of Daniel. The year 1908 appears on the recto of the back cover of the manuscript, thus, it appears the war referred to may be the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. Though the identity of the Author is unknown, based on respectful references to "Admo"r Tzemach Tzedek", it is seems clear he was an adherent of the Lubavitch (Chabad) sect of Chassidism