Description
Overview: An exceptionally rare, late 19th-century halachic volume detailing the precise laws of Jewish ritual slaughter (Shechita / שחיטה) and the internal inspection of lungs (Bedikat HaRe’ah / בדיקת הריאה), titled Siwche Schlomim (ספר זבחי שלמים).
Author: Originally compiled in a clear, systematic catechetical (question-and-answer) form by the esteemed halachic authority Rabbi Jakob Beck (ר’ יעקב הנקרא יאקב בעק זצ"ל), who served as the prominent Dayan (Rabbinical Judge) in Leipnik.
Editor & Commentary: This definitive 1899 edition was comprehensively revised, annotated, and greatly expanded by Dr. Selig Gronemann (יצחק זעליג בן ר’ שמואל גראנעמאנן; 1843–1918), the celebrated Landrabbiner (Chief Rabbi) of Hanover. Dr. Gronemann added a modern German translation and meticulous commentary addressing contemporary practical and scientific developments in ritual practice, including a specialized appendix on modern porging (Nikkur / ניקור).
Publisher & Typography: Beautifully issued in Frankfurt am Main by the landmark publishing house A. J. Hofmann (פערלאג פֿאן א. י. האפֿמאנן). The volume elegantly pairs the primary Hebrew text with a parallel, gothic-style German translation to serve the shifting linguistic needs of late 19th-century Western European Jewry.
Notable Connection: The final leaves include a historic, bilingual Berichtigung (Errata sheet) correcting the Hebrew text block, followed by an elegant publisher’s memorial book advertisement titled Familienblätter issued in memory of Raphael I. Karger by Dr. Gronemann, offering exceptional insight into the high-end Anglo-German Judaica trade of the era.
Condition report:
Status: Antique Collectible Condition (Interior Very Fresh / Binding Requires Attention).
Pagination: Complete with 160 numbered pages.
Binding: The original period cloth-backed paper-covered boards are present but worn. The front cover is currently detached and the spine is loose with partial cloth splitting along the outer joints.
Interior: Despite the external binding wear, the internal text block remains strong and completely intact. The pages are remarkably clean, crisp, and fully legible throughout, exhibiting only very light natural age-toning and minor handling spots along the peripheral margins.
