Yad Aharon [scholarly novellae, responsa and essays on the Talmud]

TAMERES, AARON SAMUEL.

C. Follman

Piotrikow

1923

FIRST EDITION. Title page with interesting Autograph inscription, signed by the Author, encouraging the recipient, who although in America, “still yearns for our holy language and ancient texts…”

With an important philosophical introduction written in a lyrical Hebrew entitled “Ma’aloth HaTorah” opposing the new Hebrew culture on the one hand and a religious fanaticism on the other. The author (1869-1931), a student of Volozhin, was a maverick among the Orthodox Rabbis of his period. Often writing under the pen-name Echad HaRabanim HaMargishim (“One of the Rabbis who Feels [for his People”]) he was drawn to supporting political Zionism and accused religious Orthodoxy of having become petrified by not moving with the spirit of the times. However, Tameres soon became disillusioned and attacked Zionism, for in aspiring to attain military power, it sought a form of Statehood indistinguishable from other nations. Yet he also castigated Orthodoxy for clinging to the superstition of the masses.