Short correspondence between the “Aruch Laner” and his son-in-la, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Freimann, Av Beit Din of Ostrow – elucidation on the words of the Baal Halachot Gedolot on the source used to rule punishment by lashes for eating Neveilot and Treifot.
Here is a question sent by the Gaon Rabbi Yisrael Meir Freimann to his father-in-law, author of the “Aruch Laner”. At the beginning of the letter Rabbi Yisrael Meir writes: today I beseech
my father, my friend to explain to me the words of the Halachot Gedolot at the end of Hilchot Shchitat Chulin”. At the end he concludes with: “such is the request of
his faithful son Yisrael Meir.”
His father-in-law’s response is written on the same page where the question is written. At its start the father-in-law writes to his son-in-law:
“your question is, indeed, odd, and I do not know to answer.” The beginning of the answer starts on the bottom of that page, and continues on the other side. The response is unsigned.
This correspondence was published in responsa “Bnei Tzion” vol. III, Davar Publications, Jerusalem (Jerusalem 2002, §176)
The famous Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yokev Etlinger, author of the “Aruch Laner” (1798-1871) from the greatest Rabbis of Ashkenaz in his generation. Studied by the great Torah luminaries of Ashkenaz, such as Rabbi Asher, son of the “Sha’agas Aryeh”, Rabbi Avraham Bing, and Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Ze’ev Hamburg (author of Sha’ar Zkeinim). Rabbi Yaakov was one of the first orthodox Rabbis who also had an academic background, having studied at the University of Wurtzburg. Served in the Rabbinate of many communities in Ashkenaz, and was one of the greatest fighters against the Reform movement that arose in Germany during his time. From his greatest disciples wer Rabbi Samson Refael Hirsch and Rabbi Azriel Hildsheimer.
The Gaon Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Meir Freimann (1830-1883) was the son-in-law of the “Aruch Laner”. Circa 1862 was appointed Av Beit Din of Wieleń, and circa 1872 was appointed Av Beit Din and Ra”m in Ostrow (both in the Pozen district). Edited the Sefer “VeHazahir” from writings of the Geonim, and added his own explanation on it named “Anfei Yehuda”.
[1] pg. (2 written sides) 14cm.Good condition. Fold mark.