Penei Moshe [responsa by R. Moshe Benveniste] Part III

(EGER, AKIVA)

Abraham Rosanes

Constantinople

1719

THE R. AKIVA EGER COPY. With a scholarly marginal note in the hand of R. Akiva Eger, signed “Ha-Katan Akiva” (f. 2a). With another note in a similar, but smaller Aschkenazic hand on f. 75b

Vinograd Const. 407

From the Library of Akiva Eger (1761-1837) with his scholarly notation. Stamp of his son, I. L. Eger of Johannesburg, on the title-page and inscription by Akiva Eger’s nephew, Leib Hirsch Ginz, stating: “Belongs to to my uncle, my teacher , Moreinu R. Akiva Ginz, of Eisenstadt, the Rabbi of Posen.” Rabbi Akiva Eger (1761-1837) was one of the most outstanding Rabbinic leaders of the late 18th-early 19th centuries. His responsa, novellae and sermons enjoyed unprecedented praise and respect and are to this day assiduously consulted by all Jews, universally. R. Akiva Eger’s marginal manuscript comment the first responsa debated by Moshe Benveniste: concerns the interesting, but complicated case of a Karaite who choses to observe Rabbinic law and consequently desired to annul his family's problematic status of mamzur - assuming that it exists at all. R. Akiva Eger indicates a flaw in the author’s reasoning in a brilliant manner - showing an ingenious method whereby the personal status of the Karaite may become legitimized