The Maatikei Ha-Shemuah Institute of Jerusalem acquired the original and only copy of the Jerusalem Talmud from which the Vilna Gaon learned and in which he inscribed his handwritten commentaries. The Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon (1720-1797), was one of the greatest Jewish scholars of the modern period - the only one to earn the honorific title of Gaon.
The Yerushalmi Zeraim on which the Gaon wrote his commentaries consists of over one thousand notes written in the margins by the Gaon himself. None of the Gaon's manuscripts were published during his lifetime, and this volume in particular had been lost for many years. There are very few manuscripts in the Gaon's own hand, because most of his teachings were transmitted orally and written down by his disciples. Most of the manuscripts that did exist are no longer extant.
This scholarly edition incorporates both the writing of the Gaon and his disciples. It includes:This site presents examples of the contents of this edition. Click here to see some sample pages.
To order a copy, email us or call +972-52-3812161.
Maatikei Ha-Shemua Institute was founded over ten years ago by Rabbi Yedidiya H. Fraenkel with the aim of bringing to light unknown manuscripts of renowned Rabbis and scholars. The Institute is governed by a Committee of Overseers. The first Chairman of the Committee was the late Rabbi Isaac Kolitz Z"tl, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Following him was the late and well known mashgiach, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe Z"tl. The current Chairman is Rabbi Simcha Hacohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rehovot.
The major undertaking of the institute since its inception has been the discovery and publication of the Vilna Gaon's autographed commentary of the Jerusalem Tamlud on the tractates of Zeraim. With G-d's help, the Institute will bring to light the full Seder Zeraim based on the Vilna Gaon's manuscript.
The Institute employs renowned Rabbis, ensuring the highest standards of talmudic knowledge and scholarly scrutiny.