Large handwritten volume. Anthology of unprinted compositions, in the handwriting of R. Shlomo [Solomon] Scemama, author of Bigdei Shesh. [Tunisia, mid-19th century]. Autograph writing of the author with many marginalia containing additions and notations.
This volume contains: Shita [novellae] on Tractate Ketubot, novellae and compilations on Tractates Avodah Zara, Chulin, Zevachim, Menachot, Megillah, Sanhedrin, Bava Kama, Yevamot. Novellae on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, Yoreh De'ah and Choshen Mishpat.
The author signed his name in various places, see for example the beginning of leaf 76/r: "Bigdei Shesh – Shesh initials of Shlomo Scemama". In a gloss on leaf 119/r, the author writes: "These two Otot 168-169 were copied in Siman 129 from the book Bigdei Shesh, 'Sas Anochi' (Sas, his Hebrew initials)".
Various names appear on the titles of the pages: Bigdei Shesh, Sheyarei Bigdei Shesh, Beit Tefilla, Bigdei Yesha, Bahat VaShesh, Amudei Shesh, Sheyarei Amudei Shesh, Bene Amudei [omissions of Amudei Shesh], Likutim, Likutei Kutnot Shesh, etc. Apparently, this volume is primarily a compilation of omissions from his other books of novellae which were already edited and prepared for print, see for example, the title at the beginning of leaf 112/r. The first composition of this volume is an edited work on Tractate Ketubot and not a compilation of omissions as is the rest of the volume. Most of the teachings in this manuscript were not printed. The minority which was printed varies from this manuscript.
On leaf 109/r, the author notes to see that which he wrote "in my Zichronot" [a composition named Zichronot, a common name among Oriental sages for abbreviated books of rules which they wrote]. In many places, the author mentions his other compositions: Beit HaMelech, Yad HaMelech on the Rambam, Kutnot Shesh on the Torah, Bigdei Shesh on the Shulchan Aruch and Amudei Shesh on the Talmud.
On leaves 140-141, he mentions teachings from the book of his teacher R. Yitzchak Taib, author of Erech HaShulchan (died in 1830). In several places (leaf 82/v, leaf 84/r and more) the author cites the book Limudei Hashem by his teacher "Maharin", "My teacher the Rabbi" [R. Yehuda Nagar, author of Limudei Hashem, died after 1832]. In several places, he cites queries and novellae in the name of his son R. Yosef (leaf 74/r; 91/v; etc. on Leaf 177/r he praised the words of his son, Yosef). On leaf 63/v, the author cites the Tiberias emissary R. Alchadif [R. Avraham Alchadif or one of his descendants named R. Aharon or R. Avraham. In the book Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael p. 550, the mission of R. Avraham Alchadif the first is mentioned. He was a Tiberias sage who travelled throughout North African countries during 1887-1891. Written in the book Tov Re'i – Chachmei Tiberias, pp. 97-98, that R. Avraham Alchadif the first returned from this mission in 1899 and died in Aleppo].
Interestingly, he notes (at the end of leaf 47/r) the lack of books in his library. There he copies a section from the book Machane Efraim with the apology: "...I have copied his entire language because due my great transgressions, I did not merit owning a copy, rather I had to borrow one".
R. Shlomo Scemama (the second), a Tunisian sage at the beginning of the 19th century (died 1855), descended from the illustrious Scemama family that boasted many rabbis and Jewish community leaders in Tunisia. Disciple of R. Yitzchak Taib, author of Erech HaShulchan and of R. Yehuda Nagar. His book Bigdei Shesh (Livorno, 1886), was printed by his grandsons about 10 years after his death. The printed book contains his novellae on the three parts of the Shulchan Aruch, whereas his novellae on Choshen Mishpat were lost during the printing. R. Shlomo Scemama was a prolific author who wrote books on the Talmud (Amudei Shesh), on the Torah (Ketonet Shesh), on the Rambam (Beit HaMelech) and on the Shulchan Aruch (Bigdei Shesh, Beit Tefilla, Bigdei Yesha). His manuscripts which were not printed are mentioned in the book Toldot Chachmei Tunis by R. Yosef Cohen Tanuji (a Tunisian sage of the 19th century), who writes (Ma'arechet Shin, p. 295): "R. Shlomo son of R. Shmuel Scemama, author of Bigdei Shesh on the Shulchan Aruch and other books, approximately 30 manuscript of books and I have seen them in his Beit Midrash. Bigdei Shesh on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, Yoreh De'ah and Even HaEzer has been printed, however [the manuscript] on Choshen Mishpat has been lost during printing".
R. Shlomo Scemama is often mentioned in the book Mishmerot Kehuna by his friend R. Avraham Yitzchaki (1802-1864), who cites novellae in his name and mentions him by the title, "Our friend, the Maharshash". In a eulogy for R. Scemama, R. Avraham Yitzchak writes: "My Torah companion to whom I am closer than a brother, the wise and perfect and excellent dayan, diligent in Torah study R. Shlomo Scemama" [Chasdei Kehuna Derush 20].
[157] leaves. (Leaves are paginated until leaf 179, but many leaves are missing, most originally removed from the volume [according to the content, the leaves which were removed seem to have been blank] and a minority were lost and are lacking. The existing pagination: 1, 4-50, 59-63, [67]-68, 71-85, 87-89, 91-92, 96-109, 112-179 leaves – total of 157 leaves). 30.5 cm. Fair-poor condition. Heavy wear. Detached leaves. Stains and dampness damages. Worming affecting text. Unbound.
Enclosed is a report by an expert on rabbinical manuscripts.