Manuscript – Rabbi David of Karlin

Manuscript – Rabbi David of Karlin
Manuscript, Torah novellae expounding on the opinions of the Rishonim regarding the laws of Apotiki (laws of loan repayment), by Rabbi David Friedman Av Beit Din of Karlin. [Karlin, ca. 1900].
Some of the novellae were handwritten by his scribe and many pages were written in the author's handwriting [in his senior years, after the age of 70]. Many additions on the margins, also in the handwriting of Rabbi David of Karlin. These novellae were printed in his book Piskei Halachot – Yad David, Vol. 3, (Jerusalem, 1971), pp. 217-241. On the last page, at the end of his explanation of the opinion of Rav Hai Gaon in the book Mekach V'Hamemkar, he writes an interesting prayer: "We have troubled ourselves to explain the words of the Gaon because it is a G-dly task and we give him the benefit of the doubt. So G-d should judge us positively and assist us in studying his Torah Lishma…" [This prayer does not appear in the printed book].
Rabbi David Friedman, Av Beit Din of Karlin (1828-1915), author of She'elat David responsa, and Piskei Halachot Yad David, served in the Karlin rabbinate for over 50 years, and was considered a foremost Halachic authority and Torah leader of his times. He was a disciple of the disciples of Rabbi Menashe Ilya and a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Rivlin of Shklow. One of his famous qualities was his deep concentration in Torah study, a concentration so deep that he would not even notice a person standing before him [The famous photograph of Rabbi David of Karlin before an open book was the inspiration for an ex-libris designed by Ephraim Moshe Lilien]. He participated in the Katowice Conference of Chovevei Zion in 1885 but following the discussion concerning education, he withdrew from the movement and published sharp letters against the heads of Zionism and their activities. He was involved in the conception of Agudat Israel. See Raboteinu Shebagola, Vol 1, pp. 155-158. Ma’asaf Yeshurn, Issue 9, Elul 2000, pp. 786-802].
27 leaves (approximately 52 densely handwritten pages), 22.5 cm. Overall good condition, tears to first and last leaves. Elaborate leather binding.