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Original manuscript of Aruch HaShulchan on Seder Kodshim,
Handwritten by Rabbi Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein, Av Beis Din of Novardok, Novardok, c. 1900
Original manuscript of Aruch HaShulchan on Seder Kodshim,
Handwritten by Rabbi Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein, Av Beis Din of Novardok, Novardok, c. 1900
The halachos of the building of the Beis Hamikdash and the service of korbanos. A complete volume, comprising 416 pages, in the handwriting of the gaon Rabbi Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein, author of the Aruch HaShulchan.
After completing his well-known sefer Aruch HaShulchan on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi Yechiel Michel embarked on writing a continuation of the Aruch HaShulchan devoted to the topics of Zeraim, Kodshim, and Taharos, a work that became known as ‘Aruch HaShulchan HaAsid’ (the Aruch HaShulchan for the upcoming days of Mashiach).
Just as in his Aruch HaShulchan on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, he systematically addresses every aspect of the halacha, its underlying principles and definitions, leading to a clear halachic ruling.
As scholars have noted, Aruch HaShulchan HaAsid is, in certain respects, even more significant than the original Aruch HaShulchan. While numerous comprehensive halachic works exist on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, very few encompass the entirety of Seder Kodshim. It is this remarkable achievement that gives the work its unique importance.
The author’s son, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi Epstein, author of Torah Temimah, writes of his father:
“He composed another great work, modeled after the Shulchan Aruch, on the halachos of the three sections of the Talmud — Zeraim, Kodshim, and Taharos. He devoted many years to this undertaking and was deeply satisfied with it, saying that he had attained the very objective such a work requires” (Mekor Baruch, vol. III, p. 1674).
“He composed another great work, modeled after the Shulchan Aruch, on the halachos of the three sections of the Talmud — Zeraim, Kodshim, and Taharos. He devoted many years to this undertaking and was deeply satisfied with it, saying that he had attained the very objective such a work requires” (Mekor Baruch, vol. III, p. 1674).
This volume includes the halachos of the Beis Hamikdash, Bias Mikdash, Klei HaMizbeach, and Issurei Mizbeach.
Rabbi Yechiel Michel HaLevi Epstein (1829–1908), author of Aruch HaShulchan and Av Beis Din of Novardok from 1874, was a leading posek among the Achronim and one of the greatest halachic authorities of his generation. As one contemporary wrote, “The most famous of his works, embraced lovingly throughout the Jewish world for practical halacha, is the sefer Aruch HaShulchan” (Melitzei Eish, Varanov, 1938, Adar section, entry רעט). From the moment his works appeared, they gained widespread popularity, and the Gedolei Hador eagerly studied his writings, including the Maharsham, the Darkei Teshuvah, the Sdei Chemed, the Orchos Chaim of Spinka, and many others.
The tzaddik Rabbi Shlomo Bloch testified: “The Aruch HaShulchan had a regal appearance; one could see fulfilled in him the verse, ‘A man’s wisdom illuminates his face.’”
Novardok, c. 1900.
Page Count: 208 leaves (416 pages).
Size: 18 × 22 cm. Autograph manuscript in the author’s clear and orderly handwriting.
Condition: Good. New cloth binding.
Condition: Good. New cloth binding.
This manuscript served as the printer’s copy for the Jerusalem 1969 edition.
Bibliography: Rabbi Eitam Shimon Henkin Hy”d, Ta’aroch Lefanai Shulchan, pp. 268–277.
