(1818-1895). Thirty notebooks of writings by Reifman. All in Hebrew in a neat, precise Ashkenazic hand. Almost 4,000 pages

REIFMANN, JACOB

Tel Aviv / Jerusalem

1920 ‘s-1930’s

Copies of hundreds of Reifman's manifold articles on a variety of topics. Painstakingly researched and culled from numerous scarce newspapers and scholarly journals. Written by one "B. Gefen," who provides an index in each notebook.

Reifmann who lived in humble circumstances, was a most prolific scholar, yet served no public position in the relatively small town of Szczebrzeszyn (Shebreshin), Galicia. He wrote many books and numerous articles and corresponded with such scholars as Steinschneider, Rapoport (“Shir”), S. D. Luzzato (“Shadal”), Geiger, Graetz, Tzvi Hirsch Chayoth, etc. Although by outward appearance decidedly Orthodox, the critical character of many of his writings roused the ire of the ultra-Orthodox, who branded him a “freethinker.” Indeed Reifman's own children, who followed a Chassidic path, opposed many of his public positions. Reifmann’s studies run across a wide span of Jewish learning: Targum, Talmud, Geonica, Midrash, customs, liturgy, grammar and history as well as biographies of literary giants (Ibn Ezra, R. Zerachiah Halevi, Shadal, et al). Reifmann’s was known to be admired by Sir Moses Montefiore, even such an outspoken critic as Ephraim Deinard described Reifmann as a “clear, concise writer who enriched our literature with his critical studies.” Deinard casts him as the “literary heir of Shi”r and Shada”l,” while noting that he “remained true to his God and his people.” Deinard, ”Mashgei Ivrim,” p.49 Dr. Meir Herskovics published a portion of Reifmann’s correspondence in the rabbinic journal “Hadarom“ (1964-69), complete with a scholarly appraisal of Reifmann’s contribution to Jewish learning