Mishnayot. Wilhermsdorf, [1723-1725] Signature and Comments by Rabbi Chaim Modai

Mishnayot. Wilhermsdorf, [1723-1725] Signature and Comments by Rabbi Chaim Modai

Mishnayot Nashim-Nezikin. Separate title page for seder Nezikin. The first page bears the stamp of "The youth Chaim Moda'i" and approximately 4 handwritten glosses.

Rabbi Chaim Moda'i [1720-1794] was the head sage of Safed and rabbi of Izmir, a dayan, an adjudicator, an emissary and a poet; a disciple of Rabbi Chaim Abulafiah. He ascended to the Land of Israel at the age of nine. He resided in Safed for 25 years where he was considered the head of its sages. He returned to Istanbul in 1755 and served as a dayan there. After the 1760 earthquake in Safed, he traveled to Europe as an emissary to collect money for the residents of Safed, who were left without roofs over their heads. He visited Prague, where he met Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of the Noda BiYehudah responsa; he mentions him in his responsa. He was also a close friend of the Chid"a's. He was summoned to served as rabbi of Izmir in 1776, and he served there for about 17 years. He returned to Safed in his later years, and passed away after about a year there. His responsa were published in the Chaim L'Olam book of responsa, and they were publicized in books by sages of his generation. He was an expert in geometry and grammar, and published glosses to the siddur. Much of his writing remains in manuscript.

159; [1]. 196 leaves. 20 cm; moderate condition. Aging stains. Worming perforations. The title page for seder Nashim is lacking. Leaves 1-12 and the front binding are lacking.