Rama Responsa – Signatures by Rabbi Zundel from Salant

Rama Responsa – Signatures by Rabbi Zundel from Salant
Rama Responsa, Rabbi Moshe Isserlis. Sudilkov, 1935.
Captions in Ashkenazi handwriting on the title page: “Here in Jerusalem, belongs to the Perushim Midrash called Menachem Zion…” – “exchanged, Zundel”. Deleted “Midrash Menachem Zion” captions appear on some of the leaves’ numbers with the inscription “exchanged, Zundel”.
Caption in Sephardic handwriting: “Hatz"vi Me’at Deva"sh".
Rabbi Yosef Zundel from Salant (1786-1866) is the author of the signature and inscriptions in Ashkenazi handwriting. He was among the greatest disciples of Rabbi Chaim from Volozhin and passed the teachings of the Vilna Ga'on on to the future generations. Founded the Musar movement and was Rabbi Israel from Salant’s outstanding teacher. Emigrated to Jerusalem in 1838, and was among the heads of the Perushim community [Ashkenazi- disciples of the Vilna Ga'on] with his son-in-law Rabbi Shmuel Salant. It is out of great modesty that he refused to fill any official Toranic position, however, he agreed to volunteer and manage the “Menachem Tzion” Beit Misdrash library, [located in the courtyard of the “Churva” synagogue], which used to be the Perushim Scholars’ prayer and learning center in Jerusalem. Some of his writings were published in a book called “The Tzadik Rabbi Yosef Zundel and his Rabbis”, Jerusalem 1927.
According to the captions and deletions, it would appear that the present book was bought for the “Midrash Menachem Tzion”. Rabbi Zundel later purchased the book for his own use in exchange for another book needed by the Beit Midrash scholars. Rabbi David Ben-Shimon bought the book after Rabbi Zundel’s passing in 1866. Rabbi David Ben-Shimon passed away in 1879, he was the author of the “Shaarei Tzedek” who emigrated from Morocco and became the Rosh Av Beit Din and founder of the Occidental Community in Jerusalem. Rabbi Deva"sh’s library was among the most important libraries in Jerusalem.
Important copy, with signatures and autographical captions.
41, 21-44 leaves. 34.5cm. Greenish and Bluish paper, good-fair condition, moth damage. Rebound.
Enclosed is a professional evaluation of the copy and the signatures.