(“The Tosfos Yom-Tov.”) Ma’adanei Melech V’Lechem Chamudoth [novellae to the Ro’sh, Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel: Tracs. Berachoth-Nidah].

HELLER, YOM TOV LIPMANN.

Moses ben Bezalel Katz

Prague

1628

First Edition. Title letters historiated. Censored passages supplied in an old hand.

Vinograd, Prague 325.

The author entitled the present commentary Ma’adanei Melech (“Royal Delicacies”), based upon Jacob’s blessing of the tribe of Asher (Genesis 49:20) - the dual meaning referring both to the necessity of bread and to the delicacies of a king. Similarly, the dual purpose of the work itself, was to provide legal decisions of Halacha of relevance to all, along with intricate pilpulistic discourses for the pleasure of the scholar - who are considered as kings (“Man Malki Rabanan.”) However, the author’s detractors deviously misconstrued the meaning of the title as an insult to the reigning monarch and a portent of revolution. Indeed R. Heller was imprisoned and upon release, judiciously altered the title to the more innocuous “Ma’adanei Yom Tov.”