This volume is from my antique Hebrew book collection. The Shulchan Aruch, which means ‘Set Table’ is a code of Jewish law compiled in 1563 by Rabbi Yosef Karo. It is version of the Beit Yosef, a commentary that Rabbi Karo wrote on the Tur, with innovative rulings from the Ramo (Rabbi Moshe Isserles). Choshen Mishpat, which means ‘Breastplate of Judgement’ is the last of four sections. It discusses financial disputes, damages, courts, and witnesses.
This edition includes the commentaries Be’er Hagolah, Ba’er Heitev, and innovative rulings from the Taz. It was printed at the press of Press of Shmuel son of R’ Yisachar Ber and Yechezkel son of R’ Shevach.
The reason why this is a very special printing is that it is one of the two volumes that have the haskomoh (approbation) of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev. Other haskomos (approbations) include Rabbi David Lieksch, head of the Beis Din (rabbinical court) of Barr. He was a follower of the Ba’al Shem Tov.
Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (1740 – 1809) was also known as the Kedushas Levi, Derbarmdigger (compassionate in Yiddish), and ‘Sneiguron shel Yisroel’ (the defense attorney of the Jewish people). He was a Chassidic master and Jewish leader. He was the rabbi of Ryczywół, Żelechów, Pinsk and Berdychiv, for which he is best known. However, my late mother-in-law, who was from Żelechów, said that they called him Levi Yitzchok of Żelechów. He was one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, and of his disciple Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, whom he succeeded as rabbi of Ryczywół.
Jewish Miscellanies 