Shailoth U’Teshuvoth [responsa]

(EGER, AKIVA BEN MOSES GUENZ).

Germany

early 19th century

(Partial Autograph) Manuscript in Hebrew, written in cursive Aschkenazic hand on paper of various sizes. Bound into eight volumes. Total of 127 leaves.

A large section of the original Teshuvoth of R. Akiva Eger, here written by the author’s son, R. Wolf Eger WITH CORRECTIONS AND NOTATIONS THROUGHOUT BY R. AKIVA EGER HIMSELF . These volumes contain the original copy that was prepared for the publisher. R. Akiva Egers’s handwriting was difficult to decipher therefore he requested his son rewrite his responsa in a clear hand for the printers. R. Akiva then went over the material penned, adding here corrections and notations throughout. After each responsa was prepared for the press, a line was crossed through that column noting it had been set in type. It is known that Akiva Eger invested time and effort to produce fine scholarly works, as noted in his introduction to Teshuvoth R. Akiva Eiger (Warsaw, 1835), maintaining this was important for the dignity of Torah. Indeed he even ordered specially produced paper, watermarked “Eger.” See Loewinger & Weinryb, Catalogue of the Hebrew Manuscripts in the Library of the Juedisch-theologisches Seminar in Breslau (1965) no. 157. R. Akiva Eger (1761-1837) as one of the most outstanding, Rabbinic leaders of his time. His responsa, novellae and sermons enjoyed unprecedented praise and respect, and are to this day assiduously consulted by all Jews, universally.