Author: Rav Yitzchok Dov Bamberger zt”l, The Würzberger Rav.
Publication Date: July 2022
The sefer Meleches Shamayim is renowned in the field of safrus (scribal law) as a fundamental and authoritative work. The Meleches Shamayim was published twice by the author; in 1853, and as a revised edition in 1860. When the first edition was published, the comprehensiveness of the work allowed it to supersede all previous publications on the topic of Sta”m. One such work was a small pamphlet titled Keses Sofer written by Rabbi Shlomo Gantzfried (famed author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch) which was widely used in Ashkenazi circles at that time. Rabbi Gantzfried set out to publish a sefer to rival the work of the Würzburger Rav. His second edition of the Keses Sofer was entirely unparallel to the original work. The chapters were newly subdivided and an entire commentary titled Lishkas Hasofer was added, its primary purpose to challange rulings from the Meleches Shamayim which Rabbi Ganzfried disagreed about. In turn, Rabbi Bamberger republished his work and included many counter arguments.
The Meleches Shamayim is divided into two parts. The main text is titled “Chochmah” and deals with the basic laws concerning Sta”m. The second text is titled “Binah” and serves as explanatory notes to the main text.
The new edition published by Achsanya Shel Torah has many valuable additions. Firstly, both texts have had abbreviations expanded, additional paragraph breaks, and the main text has nekudos added for easier reading. Secondly, brief notes have been added to the entire work to reference other works of Rabbi Bamberger as well as other important later works such as Mishnah Berurah. Thirdly, a reference sidebar to the work Kol Yaakov of Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer (famed author of Kaf Hachaim) appears on every page. This aid is intended for sofrim of the Sefardic rite to use the Meleches Shamayim with ease, as the Kol Yaakov quotes the Meleches Shomayim frequently. The last addition is a reprint of the Keses Sofer on each paragraph which the two works argue. This aid serves as a most valuable tool for anyone who seeks to learn hilchos safrus in depth.
Aside from the enhancements to the pages inside the work, there are also two indices in the back. The first index is a complete list of topics and subtopics contained in the work. The second index is a list of scholars mentioned by Rabbi Bamberger in his work. The new edition also includes a introduction and brief biography of Rabbi Bamberger and his works.
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