Sefer Ma’aver Yabok, Zhitomir Printing, From the Holy Gaon Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss ZT"L, Av Beis Din of Nadipalu
Sefer Ma’aver Yabok contains directives and customs for the day of passing and for the Chevra Kadisha. It was printed in Zhitomir in the year 5612 (1852) by the Shapiro brothers, grandchildren of Rabbi Moshe of Slavuta ZT"L, and belongs to the holy Gaon and Torah scholar Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss ZT"L, Av Beis Din of Nadipalu, with his signature:
"Asher Anshel ben Chana."
Ma’aver Yabok was authored by Rabbi Aharon Berekhya of Modena, one of the foundational books for the customs of the Chevra Kadisha, burial practices, and related matters. This particular edition is of particular significance because it was printed in Zhitomir by the righteous Shapiro brothers—Rabbi Chaninah Lipa, Rabbi Aryeh Leib, and Rabbi Yehoshua Heshel Shapiro, who were grandsons of Rabbi Moshe of Slavuta ZT"L.
Rabbi Asher Anshel Weiss ZT"L, Av Beis Din of Nadipalu, was a student of the revered Arugat HaBosem and Sheivet Sofer among others. He was one of the leading rabbis and Torah disseminators in Transylvania. A master of the entire Talmud, he was extremely knowledgeable in all areas of Torah, including the Shas, Poskim, and the works of the Rishonim and Acharonim. He was particularly known for his expertise in the laws of Gittin and Agunot. He passed away in the year 5704 (1944). His writings were printed in the work Shemen LeMincha, which includes commentary on the Torah and discussions of Talmudic topics in three volumes. His son-in-law, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Friedman ZT"L, Av Beis Din of Tenka, was also one of his prominent disciples.
