Na’aveh Kodesh with the Folded Chart
On the Rambam’s System of Astronomy
Berlin, 1786
Sefer ‘Na’aveh Kodesh’, presenting "the wisdom of measurement and triangles" and an explanation of the Rambam’s ‘Hilchos Kiddush HaChodesh’, authored by the sage Rabbi Shmuel ben Nosson Nota Waltch of Brunswick.
At the beginning of the sefer, ten pages provide a general introduction to the wisdom of measurement, followed by the main section, which includes the full text of the Rambam’s ‘Hilchos Kiddush HaChodesh’, with the ‘Na’aveh Kodesh’ commentary printed beneath it.
This sefer serves to this day as one of the foundational works for understanding this field of knowledge. The Chazon Ish cites the author’s words in his ‘Kuntres Kiddush HaChodesh’.
At the end of the sefer is a large folded chart containing dozens of illustrations to aid in the comprehension of this wisdom, made with copper engravings.
The author,
Rabbi Shimon Waltch, was a distinguished disciple of Rabbi Yissachar Berish, grandson of the Pnei Yehoshua. Rabbi Yissachar Berish himself was "virtually unparalleled in his generation in this field", as attested by the renowned scholar Rabbi Raphael HaLevi of Hanover.
The sefer carries approbations from Rabbi Aryeh Leib, Av Beis Din of Hanover, son of the Pnei Yehoshua, and Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch, Av Beis Din of Berlin, printed at the beginning of the sefer.
Berlin, 1786. First edition.
Page Count: [2], 10; 39, 41–42 leaves + [1] large folded chart: approx. 36.5 x 43 cm.
Size: 20.8 cm.
Condition: Good. Includes the rare chart, missing in some copies. The chart has been professionally restored. Old reinforcements to the edges of the title leaf and last leaf. Antique binding (slightly damaged), with remnants of pages from a Portuguese text containing Hebrew words.
Provenance:
1. Judaica Auction Jerusalem (2000)
2. William Gross Collection, Tel Aviv
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, p. 240 (additions).
