Biurim by Rabbi Yisrael Isserlein – Riva de Trento, 1562 – Signature of Rabbi Netanel Weil, Author of Korban Netanel

Supercommentary to Rashi on the Five Books of the Torah, by R. Yisrael Isserlein. Riva de Trento: [Jacob Marcaria, 1562].
The top of the blank page, p. 23a, bears an owner's signature (slightly faded): "…Netanel Weil". This appears to be the signature of the great Torah scholar R. Netanel Weil, author of Korban Netanel.
R. Netanel Weil (1687-1769, Otzar HaRabbanim 16479) was a descendant of the Maharam of Rothenburg and R. Yaakov Weil – the Mahariv, and a leading Torah scholar and posek of his times. His father was murdered in a pogrom which took place in his city when he was five years old. At the age of ten, his mother sent him to Prague, where he became a prominent disciple of R. Avraham Broda, the rabbi of the city. After his teacher's demise, he succeeded him in delivering lectures to the disciples of his yeshiva in Prague (together with R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz). Following the expulsion of the Jews from Prague, he was appointed rabbi of Mühringen, Schwarzwald, and later of Karlsruhe and the region. He is especially famed for his comprehensive composition on the Rosh - Korban Netanel, later printed in editions of the Shas. During the course of his lifetime, he was forced to wander extensively, enduring tribulations and even facing mortal danger, yet he was miraculously saved several times. During his funeral, the participants' way was allegedly miraculously shortened (kefitzat haderech), this is hinted to in the epitaph upon his tombstone.
24 leaves. 17 cm. Fair condition. Large tear with loss to the center of the title page (repaired and replaced with a photocopy. On the verso, half the page is replaced with a photocopy). Title page trimmed affecting title border. Stains. Signs of past dampness and mold stains to some leaves. Worming affecting text. New binding.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Israel Mehlman.