(MaHaRSH”A). Chidushim mi-Masecheth Yom Tov u-Masecheth Yevamoth ve’od [Novellae to Tractates Beizah and Yevamoth, etc.] Contains also novellae of R. Baruch of Mayence (author of Sepher ha-Terumoth) to second chapter of Bava Bathra (on f.14v.)

EDELS, SAMUEL ELIEZER.

Konrad Waldkirch

Basle

1599

FIRST EDITION. Title within typographic border. On title, inscription of censor “F. Alex[ande]r Longus Inquisitor.” (See Wm. Poppers, The Censorship of Hebrew Books (1969), Plate V, no. 7)

Vinograd, Basle189; Prijs, Basle 162

The great super-commentator, Maharsh”a (Moreinu Harav Shmuel Edels, 1555-1631) is unusually referred to by his mother-in-law name, Edel. A wealthy woman, she supported the scholar and his disciples for a period of twenty years (1585-1605). See EJ, Vol. VI, cols. 363-4. The high regard in which subsequent generations held Maharsh”a, is borne out in the assessment of R. Jonah Landsofer of Prague: “The spirit of God spoke through him, for without divine inspiration (ru’ach ha-kodesh) it would have been impossible for a man to write such a book.” In his writings, the sage of Bnei Beraq, R. Abraham Isaiah Karelitz (author of Chazon Ish) stresses that study of Maharsh”a is indispensable to a proper understanding of Tosaphoth, the medieval French commentary to the Talmud.