Stunning Revelation! The Mechilta, with the annotations of the author of the Be’er Heitev, the holy Avnei Nezer and his son, the Shem Mishmuel of Sachtshov.
Zeh Y’nachamenu, a commentary on Mechilta DeRabbi Yishmoel, by Rabbi Moshe Frankfurter, Amsterdam 1712, first edition.
Discovery! Throughout the book, there are many handwritten additions by the author Rabbi Moshe Frankfurter, also the author of the first "Be’er Hetev" on Shulchan Aruch.
Annotations by the Tzadikim of the Sachtshov dynasty:
In addition to the book being owned by the holy Avnei Nezer and his son, the Shem Mishmuel of Sachtshov, who also wrote several scholarly annotations on it, the majority of the
annotations are by the Shem Mishmuel, with some by the Avnei Nezer (in Parshas Ki Sisa, page 64) in his own handwriting. These annotations critically address the comments of the Be’er Heitev, explaining his views in their own way.
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The illustrious Rabbi Moshe Frankfurter (1672–1762) served as a dayan in the great city of Frankfurt and was a prolific writer throughout his life. He first published "Nefesh Yehuda" on Menorat HaMaor, followed by Zeh Y’nachamenu on the Mechilta. He also published the famous "Kehillot Moshe" with his commentary, as well as "Tov Leches" on the laws of mourning (included in editions of "Be’er Hetev" on Yoreh De’ah). He lived to the remarkable age of ninety, and the Chida writes that he saw seventy of his descendants.
The illustrious Rabbi Moshe ben Shimon of Frankfurt (1722–1802) served as a dayan in the great city of Frankfurt. He was the brother-in-law of the renowned Maharshaishach (author of the Kos HaYeshuos), and the Chasam Sofer refers to him several times as ‘Mori Dodi’. A great scholar, he dedicated his life to publishing books. He was the first to print the Nefesh Yehuda on the Menoras HaMeor, followed by Ze Ye’nachameinu on the Mechilta. He also published the renowned Kehilos Moshe Tanach with his commentaries and the book Tov Leches on the laws of mourning (included in editions of the Be’er Heitev on Yoreh De’ah). He lived to a venerable old age, passing away at 100 in 1762, and the Chida wrote that he merited to see seventy descendants.
A relative of his was Rabbi Yehuda Ashkenazi of Tiktin, author of "Be’er Hetev" on Orach Chaim, Yoreh De’ah, and Even HaEzer. Rabbi Yehuda did not have the chance to publish a volume on Choshen Mishpat, and many scholars urged Rabbi Moshe to publish "Be’er Hetev" on Choshen Mishpat.
Rabbi Moshe undertook this monumental task, resulting in the first "Be’er Hetev" on Choshen Mishpat, printed in Amsterdam 1749. This "Be’er Hetev" achieved wide distribution and was reprinted six more times till 1814.
The Chida (Sheim HaGedolim, entry "Be’er Hetev") praised Rabbi Moshe’s "Be’er Hetev".
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The holy Rabbi Avraham Bornstein, Av Beis Din of Sachtshov (1829–1870), was one of the great scholars of Chassidim in Poland. From a young age, he was known for his brilliance, and it is said that even at ten years old, he was already deeply engaged in halachic innovations. At the time of his marriage, he was taken as a chassan by the holy Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, who was deeply connected to him and his teachings. In 1883, he was appointed Av Beis Din of Sachtshov, and thousands flocked to him for advice, blessings, and halachic rulings. His well-known works include Eglei Tal on the laws of Shabbos and the series of responsa Avnei Nezer.
The holy Rabbi Shmuel bar Avraham Bernstein (d. 1926), son of the "Avnei Nezer" of Sochatchov and grandson of the "Sorof" of Kotzk, succeeded his father in 1910 and became one of the great Rebbes in Poland. His work "Shem Mishmuel" on Torah and Moadim is beloved throughout the Jewish world.
