בידספיריט | נכס LANDAU, R. YECHEZKEL / NODA | 13/4/2016 | Legacy Judaica

LANDAU, R. YECHEZKEL / NODA B’YEHUDA. MA’ASEY TSADDIKIM LIVORNO 1780. - WITH ENCRYPTED SIGNATURE OF R. YECHEZKEL LANDAU.   Containing the commentaries of Ramban on tractate Avoda Zora and Ritva on tractate Shavuos. On the tile page there appears the signature of the Noda B’Yehuda in the At Bash formula. The At Bash formula is a substitution cipher sequence where the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet Aleph is matched with the final letter Tav, (hence A-t), the second letter Beis is matched with the second to last letter Shin (hence B-Sh) etc. The name Yechezkel therefore reads as Misodoska. The At Bash formula appears in the book of Jeremiah (25:26; 51:41) where Bavel (Babylon) is referred to as Sheshach. See Rashi to tractate Sukkah 28a s.v. Gematrios. Additionally there appear on pages 14 and 105, corrections made by the Noda B’Yehuda. R. Yechezkel Landau (1713-1793) was born in Opatow and studied in the great yeshivas of Ludmir and Brody. He served first as a Dayan in Brody and later as a Rav in Yampol. Whilst in Yampol, his reputation preceded him to the renowned Jewish community of Prague who retained him as Rav, where he served until his passing. He was held in awe by his rabbinical contemporaries as well as the masses, and was greatly respected in government circles. World famous as one of the most prominent rabbinical leaders of his generation, he led a great Yeshiva and authored many important works, including his classic halachic responsa Noda B’Yehuda (after which he is known), Dagul Mer’vavah on the Shulchan Aruch and Tzion l’Nefesh Chaya (abbreviated as Tz’lach) on the Talmud. With additional signature of R. Tzvi Hirsch Tevel Katz, Dayan in Prague. Vinograd Livorno 162. Fine condition, some foxing. Fine leather binding.