“Asher ben Yechiel” (Ro”sh) (Pseudo). Besamim Rosh [responsa]

Estimate

$400–$600

Hammer price

$600

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

(BERLIN, SAUL).

printer

Chevrath Chinuch Ne’arim

Place

Berlin

Publication

1793

Description

FIRST EDITION.

references

Vinograd, Berlin 416.

summary

Saul Berlin maintained he copied the 392 responsa recorded here from an Italian manuscript attributed to Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel, with Berlin adding only side-notes. However, the content was of a surprisingly liberal tendency, bordering on antinomianism. Today it is widely regarded that the entire work was fictitious and conformed to Berlin’s hidden agenda, the promotion of Haskalah. Nonetheless, no less a Halachic authority than R. Akiva Eger quotes from Besamim Rosh (responsum no. 89), regarding the question whether women are obligated to pray the Mussaf service. See Sh. Feiner, The Jewish Enlightenment (2002) pp. 335-40.

ff. (5), 2-110, (5). Ex-library, slight stains in places, previous owner’s marks, light wear to lower margin. Later boards, worn. Folio.

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