Birkat Hazevach by Rabbeinu the Maharshak. Amsterdam [1669]

Birkat Hazevach by Rabbeinu the Maharshak. Amsterdam [1669]

First edition of a rare book in an original parchment binding. 

Sefer Birkat Hazevach, on the Gemara, Rashi's commentary, Tosfot on Seder Kodashim, by Rabbi Aharon Shmuel Koidanover - one of the leading Acharonim, a disciple of the Chelkat Hamechokek and the Rav of the Shach and the Taz. 

In his introduction, the author recalls his travails during the 1648 Cossack Riots, how he was wounded and his two young daughters killed. On leaves 123-125, he introduces Chidushim by Rabbi Yaakov of Tomashov, who was killed in Poland. 

Rabbeinu Aharon Shmuel ben Rabbi Yisrael Koidanover (1624-1676): was born in Vilna, studied under Rabbi Heschel of Krakow and his son Rabbi Yaakov in Brisk. Until the Cossack Riots of 1648-1649, taught Torah in Poland and Lithuania and served as a Dayan of the Beit Din of Rabbi Moshe Lima, the Chelkat Hamechokek. Following the Riots, he settled in Ostroh and later served as Av Beit Din of Reisha, Furth and Frankfurt am Main, and in his old age, in Krakow. After his passing, his books Emunat Yisrael, Birkat Shmuel and Tiferet Shmuel on Piskei HaRosh were published by his son Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Koidanover, the author of Kav Hayashar. His daughter married the brother of the Shach, Rabbi Yonah Nachum Katz, Av Beit Din of Sochatchov. 

The printing of this book began at the printery of Yosef Atias in Amsterdam. From leaf 133, the printing was done at the printery of David de Castro Tartas, where the title pages and forewords were also printed. 

Amsterdam, [1669]. First edition. 

[2], 280, 35, [1] leaves. 

Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 200985.