13 14 KUTNA, AHARON BEN YOSEPH. Chidushei HaShas [novellae to the Talmud]. Autograph Manuscript in Hebrew, written in a flourished cursive Aschkenazi hand on paper. ff. (1), 189, (7). Contemporary calf-backed boards, worn. 4to. Darde (Hungary), 1817-18. $8000 - $12,000 ❧ UNPUBLISHED AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT. Consisting of novellae on Tractate Chulin (majority) as well as several other tractates including Shabbath, Bava Kama and more. A wax seal is present on the verso of the cover, reading: “A. Kutner Rabbiner Tottis.” On the opening leaf is recorded: “This notebook belongs to the Torah scholar… Aharon from the community of Tottis [5]578 (1818).” With additional signature: “Moshe Fisher from Tottis.” Another signature appears (f. 189b): “Finished and completed today the eve of Sabbath 3rd of Elul [5]578 (1818) here Darde, I the undersigned Ya’akob Leib.” This manuscript was almost entirely composed by R. Aharon Kutna since the style of his handwriting is most distinct. For another example, see letter in Ishim B’Teshuvoth Chatham Sofer p. 55, as well mss in the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem. Several leaves towards the end of this volume are in another hand and can likely be attributed to Ya’akov Leib. Rabbi Aharon Kutna (1794-1874) son of R. Yoseph Kutna who served as dayan in Pupa and rabbi in Tottis, inherited his father’s position in Tottis in 1829 at the recommendation of the Chasam Sofer. He had studied under R. Sholom Ulman and the Chasam Sofer and was held in high esteem by his teachers. Several responsa in Teshuvoth Chasam Sofer are addressed to R. Aharon. His work Mishchat Aharon was first published in 1900 by his son who issued a highly complementary approbation of the Chasam Sofer on this work from 1834. See Ishim B’Teshuvoth Chasam Sofer (1993) pp. 54-6.