Maseches Shekalim, Amsterdam 1727 – Personal Copy of the Holy Gaon, Rav Nosson Adler, zt”l
A rare edition of Maseches Shekalim, printed in Amsterdam, 1727, with commentaries by Rashi, Rabbeinu Ovadia of Bartenura, Tosafos Yom Tov, Biurei R’ Eliyah, and Biur R’ Yaakov of Krakow.
The flyleaf bears an inscription:
"LaHashem ha’aretz umelo’ah – This belongs to the distinguished and exceptional talmid chacham and tzaddik, the esteemed Moreinu HaRav Rav Nosson ben Yaakov Shimon Adler Katz, zt”l…"
This refers to the holy and exalted Gaon, Rav Nosson Adler of Frankfurt, the revered Rebbe of the Chasam Sofer, zt”l. (The inscription appears to have been written in his earlier years.)
Rav Nosson Adler’s Unique Minhag Regarding Parshas Shekalim
The opening Mishnah of Maseches Shekalim is the well-known passage:
“On the first of Adar, a proclamation is made regarding the shekalim…”
Halacha dictates that on Shabbos Parshas Shekalim, two Sifrei Torah are taken out: one for the weekly Torah reading and the second for Parshas Shekalim.
A discussion arose among the poskim regarding the proper procedure when
Parshas Shekalim coincides with Parshas Mishpatim—since both readings are close together, should one simply use a single Sefer Torah and roll it between the two portions?
The Sefer Ha’Eshkol (Vol. 2, p. 66) records:
"I was astonished that in the Beis HaKnesses of the exalted Rav, HaGaon Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Rav Nosson Adler of Frankfurt, they followed his custom and would only take out one Sefer Torah on Parshas Shekalim…"
