Responsa Divrei Rivvos Venice, 1757 – A Copy of the Great Gaon Rabbi Bonam Iger – Brother of Rabbi Akiva Iger
Divrei Rivvos, questions and answers, by the renowned Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Aderbi, Venice, 1757 – second edition.
This is a copy that belonged to the great Gaon Rabbi Bonam Ginz-Iger (later changed his last name to Iger in honor of his maternal grandfather, Rabbi Akiva Iger the first), brother and close confidant of Rabbi Akiva Iger, and rabbi of the town of Mattesdorf. The book contains inscriptions, including one in the handwriting of his student, Rabbi Isaac Goldstein, who recorded that the book belonged to his master.
On the title page, the inscriptions read:
"…Belongs to my esteemed father, the great rabbi, Rabbi Bonam N.Y., rabbi of the community of Mattesdorf…"
"Belongs to my revered teacher, Rabbi Bonam Ginz N.Y. I, his holy student, Isaac Goldstein…"
Other signatures include:
"…Eliezer Reisman from Hardanka…"
"…Moshe son of Rabbi Nathan Shimon z"l from Schwabach…"
"…Meir son of Rabbi Moshe…"
The great
Gaon Rabbi Bonam Ginz (1750-1829), brother and confidant of Rabbi Akiva Iger, was rabbi of the town of Mattesdorf and one of the leading rabbinic figures of his generation. He had a strong bond of friendship with his brother Rabbi Akiva, and they corresponded frequently. Their correspondence was later published in a full book titled Keravivim Alai Esev. He was highly respected by other Torah giants of his time, including Rabbi Moshe Sofer (Chasam Sofer), with whom he exchanged numerous letters, and who referred to him as "…the great gaon, the lamp of Israel, the shining light…" and eulogized him with great honor upon his passing (see Torat Moshe, Vol. 2, Parshat Behaalotecha). Some of his Torah innovations were printed in Chidushim of Rabbi Bonam Iger. His son-in-law, the righteous Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ullman, authored Yeriot Shlomo.
"…To the honor of my beloved brother, the famous Gaon, Rabbi Bonam N.Y., almost at the same time I received a letter from my brother… and my humble opinion is nullified before your great wisdom…" (Rabbi Akiva Iger, Keravivim Alai Esev, p. 13).
