Halachic discourse, handwritten by the Gaon Rabbi Meir, Av Beis Din of Constantine-Yashan (Starokostiantyniv), the Son of the Ya’avetz. The only person in the world known to have corresponded with the Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh on Halacha.
Four handwritten pages, expounding on a statement of Chazal at the end of tractate Niddah: the three questions the people of Alexandria asked of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, and his response to them.
The Gaon Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi (1717?-1798), the eldest son of the Ya’avetz (and brother-in-law of the ‘Merkevet Hamishne’ on the Rambam). Served as Av Beis Din of Old-Constantine [Starokostiantyniv, Vohlin state] from 1743 till his passing in 1798. Was a leading contemporary Meishiv. Was known as an immense Matmid and had vast knowledge of Shas and Poskim. He would complete Shas three times a year.
He had a close and mutual friendship and admiration with Or Shivat Hayamim, the Baal Shem Tov. There is a famed question sent by Maran the Baal Shem Tov to Rabbi Meir about a lung that was rendered Kosher by a Moreh Tzeddek of Mezhibuzh, contrary to the ruling of the Rema. The Baal Shem Tov refers to him in the request as “The great light, may his candle shine, his honorable, holy name is exalted, Moreinu Harav Meir” (Printed in Responsa ‘Mayim Chayim’ by his grandson, the Gaon Rabbi Chaim HaKohen Rapaport, Yoreh De’a, §27). The ‘Toldos’ regarded him with such fear and awe that he said regarding him: “My master and Rebbe the Baal Shem Tov could go to him, but I cannot.”
[2] sh. (4 written pp.) 19cm. A few moth holes. Tears on lower margins. Stains and wear. Good-fair condition.
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