‘Semichat Chachamim’ on Mesechet Brachot, by HaGaon and Mekubal Rabbi Naftali HaKohen Ka"tz, ab"d Frankfurt D’Main. [The name "Semichat Chachamim" includes both volumes]
*Part one "Birkas Hashem" – "Hakdamas Smichas Chachamim". Frankfurt D’Main, 1704. 79 pages.
*Part two – "Kedusha U’Bracha" – on Mesechet Brachot. Frankfurt D’Main, 1706. 140 pages.
Printed during the life of the author – Hagaon and famous mekubal Rabbi Naftali Ka"tz (1650-1719), from the great and famous mekubalim in the Ashkenazi countries ab"d Ostroh, Pozna and Frankfurt D’Main. From his youth he started his holy and intense conduct and great diligence, until he learned all of Sha"s by heart. Right after his marriage Rabbi Naftali Ka"tz was appointed as Rosh Yeshiva of Ostroh, and when he was 30 he was appointed as Rav of the great city of Ostroh and Ukraine region. In the year 1689 he went to serve as Rav in Pozna. At that time he was only 40 years old then he was appointed as head and leader of "Vaad Arba Arutzot", whos role was the top religious authority in all Ashkenazi countries and Poland. In the year 1704 he was appointed as Rav of the city of Frankfurt D’Main, the capital of Torah learning in Germany. After the great fire in Frankfurt D’Main in the year of 1711 he was forced to escape from the city (Following the libel that the fire broke out due to his Kabalah activities, and writing of Kameiut (- kabalistic notes)). After various wanderings he decided to travel to Eretz Yisrael, but by the time he arrived at Kushta he became sick and there he passed away. He was buried in the city of Kushta which is a place till today where people come from all over the world to pray for salvation. [it is told that when the Baal Shem Tov arrived in the city of Kushta on the way to Eretz Yisrael Rabbi Naftali Ka"tz appeared to him in a dream at night, and informed him that he will not merit to ascent to Eretz Yisrael as he did not, and therefore the Baal Shem Tov returned back to his city of Medzhybizh.
The cover sheet of second volume appears at the beginning of the sefer. Enforced a little with paper tape, some pages are repaired. General condition good.
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