Physical Description

Detail Description

Work on divorce by one of the great halakhists, R. Shabbetai ben Meir ha-Kohen (Shakh, 1621–1662). The subject matter is Shulhan Arukh, Even ha-Ezer 154 which deals with the reasons a man can be compelled to grant his wife a divorce. In Gevurat Anashim Shakh, in contrast to both R. Joseph Caro and R. Moses Isserles (Rema), prohibits such compulsion even when the husband denies his wife her most basic rights, such as support and cohabitation, arguing that those authorities that require compelling a husband to provide support might not concur forcing him to give a get even in the absence of support. Among the related subjects addressed in Gevurat Anashim are sexuality, impotence, menstruation, birth control, sterilization and abortion, as dealt with in halakhic works and responsa. Among his father’s responsa, of which there are ten, one with a gloss in an eastern Judeo-Slavic, apparently spoken in the early 17th century.

The title page has the pillared frame with obelisk typical of Dessau imprints. Its text states states “Come, behold the works” (Psalms 46:9) of the sons of men. “More than gold, even very fine gold, are they to be desired” (cf. Psalms 19:11), “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6), more precious than rubies. Critique and insight on early and later sages by the great gaon, R. Shabbetai, author of Siftei Kohen, on E[ven] h[a-Ezer] no. 154 concerning gevurat anashim and responsa from his father R. Meir Katz. The work was brought to press by his grandson, R. Isaac ben Moses Katz. Printed in Dessau With AMSTERDAM letters . . . . And you ואתם shall be to me לי(457 = 1697) a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).

The title page is followed by approbations from R. Phineas Moses of Lvov, R. Joseph Segal, and R. Schneur of Risha; R. David ben Abraham Oppenheim, and R. [Jacob] Abraham ben Raphael. There is an introduction by the Shakh’s grandson, the text of Gevurat Anashim, a summary (Kallalei ha-dinim be-Kizzurei) of the halakhot in Gevurat Anashim, and responsa from his father, all set in two columns in rabbinic type, excepting headers and initial words which are in square letters.

Gevurot Anashim has been reprinted several times, beginning with a Sodilikov edition (1809). It has been the subject of refutations, most notably by R. Hayyim Broda (Torah Or ve-Derekh Hayyim), whose defense of the Shulhan Arukh, entitled Zera Hayyim (Petrokov, 1907), was published by his grandson, Hayyim Heller.

 

Hebrew Description

... השגות ותפיסות על ראשונים ואחרונים. שחיב'... ר' שבתי... על א"ה [אבן העזר] קנד בדין גבור' אנשים ושו"ת מאביו... ר' מאיר כ"ץ ז"ל (בן מהר"ר משה כהן ז"ל אשכנזי). והובא לבית הדפוס ע"י נכדו... ר' יצחק בן... ר' משה כ"ץ... באותיות משטרדם... לפרט ו'א'ת'ם' תהיו לי' ממלכת כהנים

הסכמות: ר' פנחס משה מלבוב, ר' יוסף סג"ל חו' בק"ק פרעמסלא ור' שניאור חו' בק"ק רישא לע"ע, ט אלול תנ"ו; ר' דוד ב"ר אברהם אופנהיים, ניקל שפורג, ו טבת תמ"ז; ר' [יעקב] אברהם [ב"ר רפאל] מקראקא, לייפניק, תל"ז.

 

Reference Description

Heller 17th Cent. Book (Brill, Leiden 2011); Vin Dessau 14; CD-NLI 0141581