Ohel David. With Numerous Glosses Penned by the Author. Vienna, 1822. First Edition.

Ohel David. With Numerous Glosses Penned by the Author. Vienna, 1822. First Edition.

Ohel David is comprised of novellae on various tractates, authored by Rabbi David Deutsch.

The book includes novellae on tractates Yevamot, Bava Kama, Shabbat. Eiruvin and some on Ketuvot.

The author notes in the introduction that he is unable to publish all his novellae on Masechet Yevamot.

The book is filled with numerous handwritten notations of the author. Many of the glosses are lengthy, scholarly notes, some of which are penned in square script. In one annotation, the author refers to his son-in-law, Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt and writes: “And my son-in-law Rabbi Meir nr’v was troubled…”

The handwritten ownership listing on the title page attests that the book belongs to the author’s grandson, Rabbi Mendel Cohen.

Rabbi David Deutsch (1755-1831) was a prominent Hungarian sage and author of Ohel David. He was a close disciple of Rabbi Yechezkel Segal Landau, the Noda BiYehudah. In fact, in his book, Noda BiYehudah, many responsa are addressed to Rabbi Deutsch.

Rabbi Deutsch was a close confidante of the Chatam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Sofer, who held him in great esteem. In the preface of Ohel David that was published after the author’s demise, the Chatam Sofer writes: “This great and holy tzaddik, genius of the world…fortunate are we if we merited his discourses and his light… and may the merit of the tzaddik stand by us to protect us from all evil and to bless the Jewish nation with G-d’s blessing”

Rabbi David served as Rabbi of Jamnitz, Frauenkirchen, Szerdahely and finally Nowe Miasto.

Following Rabbi Deutsch’s passing, notes that the Chatam Sofer had sent him were discovered. In these correspondences, the Chatam Sofer asks Rabbi Deutsch to pray for him and his family.

Vienna, 1822. First edition.

[3] 25 leaves. 24.5 cm. Very good condition.