Manuscript, Novellae of Rabbi Zerach Eidlitz – With His Handwritten Glosses – Prague, ca. 1770s

Manuscript (3 large pages), novellae on Tractate Chullin, by R. Zerach Eidlitz, leading Prague Torah scholar in the 18th century. [Prague, ca. 1770s].
These novellae were recorded in the lifetime of R. Zerach by one of his disciples. The manuscript features glosses, additions and deletions, presumably handwritten by R. Zerach Eidlitz himself. The disciple wrote: "…and my master and teacher the great Torah scholar R. Zerach wrote to explain the Rambam…". The writer of the glosses crossed out the words "the great Torah scholar" (which seems to indicate that the glosses were written by R. Zerach himself, in addition to the resemblance between this handwriting and his established signature).
R. Zerach Eidlitz (ca. 1725-1780), author of Or LaYesharim. A leading rabbi and Torah disseminator in Prague in the time of the Noda BiYehuda. A preacher and dayan. He devoted himself to the education of young boys, and edified thousands of disciples, whom he enthused in Torah study through his unique and profound study method, and many of them grew up to be the Torah leaders of their generation. His epitaph attests that he imparted knowledge to his disciples unceasingly for forty years.
In his youth, he studied under R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, who raised him as a son after he was orphaned from his father. R. Zerach relates to this fact in his eulogy of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz, and recounts that he was particularly cherished by his teacher, "…and of course I loved him very much, more than his other disciples did…". With time, he became a preacher and reprover of the public in the various synagogues in Prague. His sermons created a powerful impact, to the point that the Noda BiYehuda – rabbi of the city, and other Torah scholars would come to hear his passionate discourses, which displayed exceptional brilliance. The Noda BiYehuda wrote in his approbation to Or LaYesharim, R. Zerach Eidlitz's book of homily (Prague, 1785): "… he disseminated Torah with perspicacity and erudition during his entire life, he edified many disciples as is well-known, and apart from being very astute and sharp-witted in the study of Halacha… he was also very wise in delivering Aggadah and words of reproach, as he preached frequently in the synagogues of our community, and I heard from him delightful words, which penetrate the hearts of the listeners, impassioning them in fear of G-d". The Noda BiYehuda concludes: "Certainly one who reads these homilies will acquire thereby fear of his Creator, and will fortify himself like a lion to achieve complete repentance".
In the preface to the aforementioned book, his son R. Moshe writes that his father left behind novellae on many Talmudic topics. Most of these novellae disappeared over the years, and a very small part of them were published in recent years in various forums and in Chiddushei Rabbi Zerach Eidlitz – on Tractate Beitza (Jerusalem, 1960). This manuscript is a hitherto unknown remnant of the teachings of this great Torah scholar, a dayan in the Beit Din of the Noda BiYehuda, and one of the most prominent disciples of R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz.
[2] leaves (3 written pages). 35.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Wear and stains.