Bnei Shmuel, Salonika 1613 – First Edition – Signature of Rabbeinu Ha’Chida & Rabbi Yitzchak ben Asher, Son of the Author of ‘Or HaSechel’
Bnei Shmuel – Teshuvos and halachic insights on the Tur, Choshen Mishpat, authored by the Gaon Rav Shmuel ben Yitzchak Chayun. Printed in Salonika, 1613 – First Edition.
The title page bears the signature of the renowned Gaon of Klal Yisrael, Rabbeinu Chaim Yosef David Azulai, the
Chida, zt”l.
This copy was personally reviewed by the Chida, who frequently cites Bnei Shmuel throughout his seforim and often delves into its deep discussions.
In
Siman 38, there is a scholarly gloss in writing, possibly in the handwriting of the
Chida’s son, the Gaon Rav
Rafael Yeshaya Azulai, Av Beis Din of Ancona (written later in his life; see Rapaheli, Sale 38, Item 113).
Another signature appears in the sefer:
"Yitzchak Asher ben Rav Avraham Asher, zt”l"—likely the son of the
Gaon Eloki, Rav
Avraham ben Asher, author of
Or HaSechel (on Midrash Rabbah) and a talmid of
Maran the Beis Yosef. It is possible that this sefer remained in the
Ben Asher family until the time of the renowned
Shadar (emissary) and later
Rishon L’Tzion, Rav
Chaim Rafael Avraham ben Asher. In 1741, he traveled abroad on behalf of the impoverished of
Eretz Yisrael alongside the
Chida’s father, the Gaon
Rav Yitzchak Zerachia Azulai. It is likely that
Rav Chaim Rafael Avraham gifted this sefer to his friend, the
Chida’s father, from whom it eventually reached the
Chida himself.
Notably, the
Chida speaks with great reverence of
Rav Avraham ben Asher and his commentary
Or HaSechel in his monumental work
Shem HaGedolim.
