Derushim VeChidushim [Halachic sermons and Talmudic novellae, in order of the Sidroth and holidays]

POPPERS, JACOB BEN BENJAMIN HAKOHEN.

Frankfurt a/Main

1740-51

Hebrew manuscript on paper, written in a cursive Achkenazic hand.

Author of the celebrated work of responsa Shev Ya’akov, R. Ya’akov Poppers (d. 1740) was one of the most prominent German rabbinic leaders of the period. As Rabbi of Frankfurt a/Main he established there a large Yeshiva which brought forth many prominent disciples. See M. Horovitz, Frankfurter Rabbinen pp. 117-24. In the present manuscript, R. Poppers’ disciple, Feish Grinstadt, records on the opening blank: “I commenced writing this volume while I spent Sabbath at the home of the communal leader Rendisch ben R. Meir Kassel… All of the novellae written here are from the Gaon Mahari”k, the Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Frankfurt. I heard everything from his pure holy mouth.” Also included here are novellae in the name of R. David Oppenheim of Prague (f. 46), as well as ideas by the young scribe himself, who clearly had a most studious bent (see f. 144 and f. 151).