(The MaHaRSHa’L). Chochmath Shlomo [corrections and comments on text of the Babylonian Talmud and commentaries of Rashi and Tosafoth].

LURIA, SOLOMON

Isaac Prostitz

Cracow

-1582

FIRST EDITION. 19 parts in one. Many textual diagrams. The Chief Rabbi Moses Gaster copy.

Vinograd, Cracow 78; Mehlman 751; St. Cat. Bodl. 6951,1 (Ed. Rarissima).

R. Shlomo Luria (1510-74) was one of the greatest Polish rabbi of his day - alongside his younger contemporary and relative, R. Moshe Isserles (of whom he was highly critical). The Maharshal’s is appreciated for his precise critical corrections of text, and the clarity and order his brings to the erudite presentation of his novellae. The Chochmath Shlomo records the Maharshal’s comments as noted in the margins of his personal copy of the Talmud, wherein he critically analyzed Bomberg's text against various Talmudic manuscripts in his possession. These corrections and comments are now a part of all standard Talmudic editions, however later publishers greatly abridged and emended the Chochmath Shlomo removing the publisher's foreword, introductions by the Maharshal's sons Wolf and Yechiel, approbations and other matter. Regarding some controversy concerning the approbations to this work, see R.N.N. Rabinowitz, Mamar al Hadfasath HaTalmud, pp. 62-3.