Sefer Yesod: Pri Megadim on Orach Chaim
First and Rare Edition
Frankfurt an der Oder, 1787
Halachic novellae, elucidations and elaboration on the Shulchan Aruch – Orach Chaim, on Turei Zahav and Magen Avraham, by Rabbi Yosef Teumim, Av Beis Din of Frankfurt an der Oder, a leading halachic authority whose rulings continue to guide all of Klal Yisrael.
The sefer Pri Megadim is one of the primary sifrei halachah.
The Chofetz Chaim writes in his introduction to the Mishnah Berurah: “His rulings spread throughout Klal Yisrael.”
The Avnei Nezer once cited his father-in-law, the holy Rebbe of Kotzk, as saying: “One who errs in a matter clarified in the Pri Megadim is as one who errs in a Mishnah.”
This edition was printed by the author himself and is divided into two parts: The first is on the Taz and is titled ‘Mishbetzos Zahav’, and the second is on the Magen Avraham, and is known as ‘Eshel Avraham’.
The author of Pri Megadim,
Rabbi Yosef Teumim (1727–1792), was one of the greatest halachic authorities of recent generations. In his youth, he worked as a melamed (teacher of children), devoting his spare hours to the preparation of his sefarim. In 1774, he was appointed Dayan in Lemberg, and from 1781 until his passing, he served as the Av Beis Din of the large city of Frankfurt an der Oder. His Torah continues to be a guiding source for all of Klal Yisrael.
The Rebbe of Sanz wrote in Shu”t Divrei Chaim: “His words are always radiant and aflame with wondrous holiness… and who in our generation can properly speak his praise?”
At the beginning of the sefer is a lengthy and interesting introduction, in which the author outlines his method and principles in compiling the work. At the conclusion, he signs with great humility: “The young Yosef, teacher of children from Lemberg.”!
A sefer of extreme rarity!
Frankfurt an der Oder, 1785–1787. First edition, printed by the author.
Page Count: Vol. I: [1], 174 leaves; Vol. II: [3], [1], 176–305 leaves.
Size: 34.5 cm.
Condition: Overall fair to fair-good. Many stains throughout the volume. A few holes. Minor restoration to the opening leaves.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 179.
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The Pri Megadim was published on two sections of the Shulchan Aruch: Orach Chaim (as in the present volume), and Yoreh De’ah (Berlin, 1771). The commentary on Orach Chaim covers the entire Shulchan Aruch from beginning to end, unlike the commentary on Yoreh De’ah, which only extends up to siman 112.
