Tractate Shekalim from the Jerusalem Talmud, with glosses by the Gaon of Vilna and the commentaries Taklin Chadtin and Mishnat Eliyahu by R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Minsk: Simcha Simmel son of Yechezkel of Horodna, 1812. First edition.

Title page printed partially in red ink. Includes approbations from R. Chaim of Volozhin, R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and R. Aharon HaLevi Segal of Shklow. The Jerusalem Talmud text follows the version and glosses of the Gaon of Vilna. Printed in the margins are "Old Variants" (where they differ from the Vilna Gaon’s version) and "Masoret HaShas".

Handwritten glosses in Ashkenazic script, some lengthy, from the period close to the printing. Most are by the same writer, transcribing R. Yisrael of Shklow's corrections and additions to his own work. These glosses were printed by R. Moshe Bloch in his book Mechokek Safun (Brooklyn, 2007, pp. 48-52), who notes that the source of the printed glosses was the author's own handwriting.

Ownership inscription in margin of title page (partially damaged): "This… R. Yisrael Porush of [Tzfat ---?] the Gaon of Vilna [---?] from R. Chaim of Volozhin". Another inscription appears on the final page: "R. Yehuda Leib Segal… Levin". A faded inscription at bottom of final page: "For this Jerusalem Talmud, I owe the emissary of the Holy Land, the posek of Shklow, R. Yisrael… one Reichsthaler…".

Several signatures on the title page of R. "Yochanan Hirsch son of R. Mordechai Schlank" – R. Yochanan Hirsch Schlank (1815-1884), a leader and founder of public institutions in Jerusalem. A disciple of the Chatam Sofer, he immigrated to Jerusalem alongside his father, R. Mordechai Schlank (1773-1861), a prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer (see: HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, pp. 188-189, 335-336). R. Yochanan Hirsch was the son-in-law of R. David Tevele Berlin, son of R. Solomon Hirschell, Rabbi of London.

The author,
R. Yisrael of Shklow (1770-1839), was a leading disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (studying under him in his final days). He published the Vilna Gaon's writings, disseminated his teachings, and was a leader of the immigration of the Vilna Gaon's disciples to Eretz Israel. The title page and approbations mention the author as "formerly a preacher in Shklow, now residing in the Upper Galilee".

The book was printed by the author during his travels abroad to raise funds for the settlement of the Gaon’s disciples in Eretz Israel. In his introduction, R. Yisrael describes his travels and his hope "to return home", signing as "the weary wanderer, like a bird wandering from its nest, clinging to the dust of the feet of sages, my eyes and heart always there, the dust of Eretz Yisrael son of R. Shmuel…". The introduction contains valuable historical material on the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, and includes his admiration for R. Chaim of Volozhin: "His preeminent disciple, the pride of the generation… the greatest of his time in the revealed and hidden Torah… R. Chaim, Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin…".

An introduction by R. Chaim of Volozhin appears before the author's introduction, "on our great teacher [the Vilna Gaon]'s work on Seder Zeraim". After the author's introduction, two halachic responsa are printed – a correspondence between R. Chaim of Volozhin and R. Akiva Eger (regarding one who married a convert and after her passing married her daughter). Another responsum by R. Chaim of Volozhin appears at the end of the book.

[5], 33, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Printed in part on blue paper. Fair condition. Stains. Worming and open tears, affecting text in a few places. Marginal open tears and damage (repaired with paper). Stamps. Bookplate. New binding.

Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 411.