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Sample letters for correspondence with a section on mathematics and a second part on deeds with its own title page. The title page of Itur Sofrim has a frame made up of a double row of florets and is dated from the verse, “[Therefore] those who speak in proverbs say, Come to Heshbon” (Numbers 21:27). It states that it was written by the author of Mirkevet ha-Mishneh, who write this small work for the public good, to benefit those who do not know Hebrew well, and for young people to instruct them in the language. They will find in this work fourteen verses in the order of the alef bet. In each one the meaning of the name Israel is made clear and also prayers, correspondence. And how to conclude a letter. Although printed previously this edition is distinguished by the addition of considerable new material. The title page is followed by a listing of the contents and the described contents inalphabetic order. This is followed by sample letters. Next is a section on mathematics. Folio 38a has a second title page, entitled Helek Sheni Seder Tikunei Shta’arot. It describes forty four types of deeds. The value of the verses on the first and second title pages equal, respectively, 1791 and 1797. It has been suggested that the second date may be correct, the letter vav on the first title page not having been emphasized.
The author of Mirkevet ha-Mishneh, to who this work is attributed on the title page, was R. Solomon ben Moses Chelm (1717–1781), Polish rabbi and one of the first Maskilim in Poland. He was born at Zamosc, son of a wealthy merchant and scholar, under whom he studied. He apparently came under the influence of a circle of talmudists who pursued secular studies, since, according to his own testimony, he acquired an extensive knowledge of algebra, engineering, astronomy, philosophy, grammar, and logic. In his younger years, while still maintained by his father-in-law R. Moses Parnas, he was, according to R. Mordecai of Lissa, "already renowned for his keen intellect, his erudition and his many distinguished qualities and virtues." His first rabbinical position was at Chelm—hence his name. While there, he published in 1751 Mirkevet ha-Mishneh, which immediately established his reputation. Mirkevet ha-Mishneh (part 1, Frankfort on the Oder, 1751; parts 2 and 3, Salonika, 1782 and New York, 1948; part 3, Jerusalem, 1956) contain novellae on the Talmud and the Mishneh Torah of Maimonides, whom he vehemently defended against the criticisms of Abraham b. David of PosquiIres. In the introduction, written in polished rhymed prose, he vigorously attacked those who opposed the study of the sciences, and made several hostile allusions to the pietistic and mystic sects of the era before Israel Ba'al Shem Tov. Because of the metaphorical language some scholars thought mistakenly that he referred to the latter's followers. He wrote Sha'arei Ne'imah, on the intonations of Psalms, Proverbs, and Job (Frankfort on the Oder, 1766), republished by Judah Loeb ben Ze'ev as an addendum to his Talmud Leshon Ivri (Vilna, 1816), and a pamphlet entitled Berekhot be-Heshbon. Whether the attribution of Itur Sofrim is correct is unsettled. |
