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Extremely Rare Pamphlet On the Controversy Over the Direction of Lulav Shaking
Yemin Hashem Romemah by the Rema of Pano – Venice, 1605Singular Edition
Extremely Rare Pamphlet
On the Controversy Over the Direction of Lulav Shaking
Yemin Hashem Romemah by the Rema of Pano – Venice, 1605
Singular Edition
An exceptionally rare, controversial pamphlet containing a halachic ruling by the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Pano on the proper order of the directions in which the lulav should be waved.
Small pamphlets such as these have, over the years, become great rarities. This pamphlet is especially rare.
In 1605,
Rabbi Shmuel Algazi published his halachic ruling on the subject at the end of his sefer Toldos Adam (Venice, 1605), with the endorsement of the Rema of Pano. Opposing this ruling,
Rabbi Yosef Samiga issued a forceful rebuttal. The Rema of Pano responded with the present pamphlet, Yemin Hashem Romemah. Rabbi Yosef Samiga then replied with his own ruling, Derech Yamin, to which the Rema of Pano answered once more in his pamphlet Yemin Hashem Oseh Chayil (later printed in Ma’amar Shivrei Luchos, Tzfat, 1864).
A fascinating response by the Rema of Pano relating to this controversy is quoted by the Chida in Shem HaGedolim from the sefer Metzaref LeChochmah by Rabbi Yashar of Candia, a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Samiga. There, the Rema of Pano writes:
“You asked what I would say in response to the lofty language and empty talk that has been published against my position regarding the order of shaking the lulav.”
My answer: “I am indeed the one whose signature the rabbanim recognize as מ״ע [the initials with which he signed the present pamphlet]. These initials stand for my name — Menachem Azariah — but they also allude to the verse ‘
מעביר
עון’ (“He forgives iniquity”) and to the phrase ‘
מוחל
עלבון’ (“Who overlooks insult”), expressing the principles by which I strive to conduct myself: forgiving wrongdoing and overlooking personal insults.
מעביר
עון’ (“He forgives iniquity”) and to the phrase ‘
מוחל
עלבון’ (“Who overlooks insult”), expressing the principles by which I strive to conduct myself: forgiving wrongdoing and overlooking personal insults.
This is the conclusive response to everything that has been written, and to all that may yet be written, against Yemin Romemah. I did not speak for my personal honor, and when faced with provocation, there is a time to remain silent. Truth will ultimately show its path to those who fear Hashem and cherish His Name. I seek peace, and when I do speak, it is only to fulfill the will of our Father in Heaven. Let every soul praise Hashem, Halleluyah.”
The Chida concludes: “How sweet are the words of this holy man — may his merit protect us.”
The final third of the pamphlet contains a teshuva by
Rabbi Ovadiah ben Yisrael Sforno of Reggio, a disciple of the Rema of Pano (not the well-known commentator Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno).
Venice, 1605. Singular edition.
Page Count: [4] leaves.
Size: 19 cm.
Condition: Good. Minor professional restoration to the margins. Fine new leather binding.
Size: 19 cm.
Condition: Good. Minor professional restoration to the margins. Fine new leather binding.
For the date of printing, see Y. Yudlov, Sinai 84, p. CLXVII, note 10; Ginzei Yisrael no. 1693.
Provenance: Ownership signature of Rabbi Yedidiah Monsonego, one of the rabbanim of Fez, author of Kupas HaRochlim and other works (Malchei Rabbanan 42:4).
Provenance: Ownership signature of Rabbi Yedidiah Monsonego, one of the rabbanim of Fez, author of Kupas HaRochlim and other works (Malchei Rabbanan 42:4).
