Shu"t Maharalba"ch. Copy with Especially Distinguished Ownership Pedigree. Signature of the Rabbinic Leader of the ...

Shu"t Maharalba"ch. Copy with Especially Distinguished Ownership Pedigree. Signature of the Rabbinic Leader of the Generation, Mahar"i Katz, the Av Beit Din of Krakow and Brother-in-Law of the Ram"a

Responsa by Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv. Venice, 1565. First edition of the important book of responsa. Copy with an especially distinguished ownership pedigree, as it belonged to two rabbinic leaders of their generations: First, it was possessed by Mahar"i Katz, av beit din of Krakow (the Ram"a's brother-in-law), and approximately two hundred years later, it was owned by the Mahara"m A"sh! Over the years, other prominent rabbis owned it and left their marks on this book.

Lengthy signature at the beginning of the book, entirely handwritten by "The elder of the generation and its leader, first and foremost among the sages and geonim of his generation" the renowned gaon Rabbi Yosef Katz of Krakow, author of She'erit Yosef. Signature text: "LaHashem HaAretz U'Melo'ah, signed Yosef son of Rabbi Morderchai Gershon Katz ... of Krakow."

On the top of the second title page, there is a lengthy dedication to the Mahara"m A"sh: "Gift for [many honorifics] Rabbi Meir A"sh, av beit din of Ungvar (from) the youth Mordechai Zilber of Yarmut." Under that is an additional owner's inscription demonstrating the Mahara"m As"h"s ownership: "This book Maharalba"ch belongs to the gaon Rabbi Meir A"sh, may his light shine forever, av beit din of the Ungvar community." The top of the first title page bears a signature from the Mahara"m A"sh's grandson (crossed out): "The youth Meir, son of ... the gaon Rabbi Menachem A"sh."

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv, renowned as Ralba"ch or Maharalba"ch, the gaon Rabbi Yosef Katz and Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt, known as Mahara"m A"sh.

209 [1 leaf is marked 206] 217-328, 29.5 cm. Light, high-quality paper. Additional owners' signatures: "Yitzchak ben hr"r Menachem ..."

Fine condition: Aging stains. Minimal taped reinforcements. This copy is lacking the index and errata leaves. The title page has been completed with beautiful calligraphic script and diagrams. The indices have also been completed with beautiful scribal script. Beautiful and elegant, very old antique leather binding.