Author: Rav Schneur Ziskind Gundersheim
Rav Schneur Ziskind Gundersheim was born in the illustrious city of Frankfurt during the early part of the eighteenth century. He studied under Rav Yaakov Paprish (famed author of Shev Yaakov) who was the Rav of Frankfurt at that time. It was there that Rav Gundersheim created a close friendship with Rav Elchonon Ashkenazi, as they learned together under Rav Paprish. Rav Ashkenazi later become world-renown through his sefer Sidrei Tahara, a fundamental and classical work on the laws of niddah. This historical relationship sheds much light on Rav Gundersheim’s work as well.
This sefer is a dual commentary on the Shulchan Aruch. The first commentary titled Mekor Chaim, focuses on bringing clarity to the rulings of the Shulchan Aruch. The second commentary titled Tiferes Tzvi, acts as an in-depth tool to examine the background of a specific ruling. It is here that Rav Gundersheim presents his unique insights.
The importance of this work cannot be overstated. This sefer serves as an essential gloss to the Shulchan Aruch for the laws of niddah. His opinions are quoted regularly in the Pischei Teshuva, and often his decisions are used in practical application today. Although this work is so important, it’s reprinting has been limited to reproduction of the first print – Ofenbach 1798. The new edition of this work is enhanced with hundreds of spelling corrections, source references, and footnotes.