Lot 106:

Rare! Hand written dedication from the 'Sdei Chemed' on his sefer. First edition. Warsaw 1891.

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Sefer ‘Sdei Chemed’ first part, encyclopedia on Talmudic topics, authored by the great scholar Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, from the great sages of Israel, and Rav of Karasubazar (in Crimea).

On the back of the cover page the author dedicates with his personal hand writing this sefer to: "הרב היקר ונכבד המופלג בתורה ויראה כש"ת מוהר"ר בנימין בונם בעי"ת מאהליביאיר". At the end of his writing appears his stamp with the caption: "חיים חזקיהו מדיני המכונה חח"ם חונה פ"ק קאראסובאזאר".

Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini [1833 – 1904], born in Jerusalem. His teachers were some of the most outstanding Rabbis of Jerusalem, particularly the Rishon Mion (Sephardic Chief Rabbi) Yitzchak Kubo and Rabbi Joseph Nissim. Burla, Head of the Beth Din of Jerusalem. In the year 5613 (1853) Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyah’s father passed away. The burden of supporting the entire family, including his own wife Rivkah, his widowed mother and two young sisters fell upon the twenty year old son. There was nothing for him to do but to follow the advice of the elders of his community to move to Constantinople, where he had rich relatives, rich both in learning and in worldly goods. For thirteen years he lived, studied and taught in Constantinople. The burden of his responsibilities became too much for him. He longed for peace and quiet, to be able to study and write undisturbed. The opportunity came when a wealthy Jewish merchant from the Crimea (in southern Russia) arrived in Constantinople on business and offered Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyah Medini to become the spiritual leader of the Crimean Jews. The merchant promised the Rabbi adequate support and ample time for study and writing. He was about 33 years old when he settled in Karasubazar, in the Crimea, in the year 5627 (1867). During the next 33 years of his life he lived among the Crimean Jews and was their devoted and dedicated leader. He established Yeshivoth and spread the knowledge of Torah among the Crimean Jews. In 1899 he decided to return to his native Holy Land. He was received with much honor in Jerusalem, but soon afterwards he was called to Hebron, where the title of "Chacham Bashi" (Chief Rabbi) and Head of the Beth Din was bestowed upon him. He immediately established a Yeshiva in the city of our Patriarchs, where he gave regular lectures, and spread the knowledge of Torah also among the lay members of the Jewish community. On erev Shabbos, which was also erev Chanukah (Kislev 24th), in the year 5665 (1905) Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyah Medini passed away and he was laid to rest in this most ancient city in the Holy Land, the resting place also of our Patriarchs.

33 cm. [1], 282 pages.

Stained, little worn, tears and creases, cover page rehabilitated with no text damage. General condition very good.

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