Emek Berachah, expounding issues relating to cherem (bans), its basis, force, rules, who can use it, and conditions of use, by R. David Ish-Shalom (Friedman) Rabbi of Karlin. With Karnei Re'em and a foreword containing comments and glosses by the publisher [R. Yechiel Michel Pines]. Jerusalem: [Yoel Moshe Salomon], 1881-1882.

Halachic studies on the laws of cherem. Printed in response to a cherem imposed by Jerusalem Torah scholars upon the author's brother-in-law, R. Yechiel Michel Pines.

On margins of title page, handwritten dedication and signature of author R. David Friedman, to his relative R. Noach Shapiro: "A loving gift to my dear friend, husband of my wife's blood relative… R. Noach Shapiro, by the author, your wife's blood relative's husband. Esteeming you in accordance with your worth with heart and soul, David Friedman".

Many handwritten glosses, both short corrections and lengthy glosses. Most of the lengthy glosses are in in square script, handwritten by his scribe R. Shmuel Noach Gotlieb. Most of the short corrections, as well as one of the lengthy glosses, is handwritten by the author himself. The lengthy glosses are sharp, substantial critiques of R. Yechiel Michel Pines' foreword.

After a number of copies of the book arrived in Russia from Jerusalem, the author, R. David of Karlin, saw the foreword by his brother-in-law, the publisher R. Michel Pines, regarding which he had severe criticisms. R. David therefore glossated the book time after time and had his scribe R. Gotlieb copy the comments into all the copies in his possession to avoid disseminating an imperfect book. Some of the comments were published by R. Betzalel Devlitzky in Beit Aharon VeYisrael (XXI, issue 122, p. 180). Another part was published by R. Eitam Henkin in Yeshurun (XXIV, pp. 144-151).

The handwritten glosses vary from copy to copy. Apparently, after they were copied by R. Shmuel Noach Gotlieb, R. David reviewed the glosses and added and edited comments. In the next copy, the scribe copied the revised glosses to a third copy, which R. David again reviewed. According to our research, this is an expanded copy, written between the two copies published respectively by R. Devlitzky and R. Henkin. The present copy also contains many corrections and one lengthy gloss that does not appear in either of the above two publications. Most of the short glosses and corrections throughout the book are handwritten by R. David of Karlin.

[1], 12 leaves; 15 leaves; 14 leaves. 23 cm. Dry paper. Good condition. Minor tears. Original binding, torn and detached, with damage to spine.

Sh. Halevy, No. 377.