Shlomo Aumann Institute, Yeshivat Sha'alvim

The Shlomo Aumann Institute Description of Activities at the Institute The Shlomo Aumann Institute is a torani (Torah related) not-for-profit institute for the research and publication of new, corrected editions of torani works. It is named for the late Shlomo Aumann, son of Prof. Robert J. Aumann, an alumnus of Yeshivat Sha'alvim who fell in battle in Operation Peace for Galilee, who had a passion for – and knowledge of – torani works, so that his image guides the areas of endeavor in which the Institute becomes involved. The Institute was founded in the year 5743 (1983) as a cooperative venture between Yeshivat Sha'alvim and Machon Yerushalayim, an established and recognized torani institution. The Shlomo Aumann Institute is involved in the publication of the works of medieval and early modern authorities (rishonim and acharonim) from manuscript and early prints, accompanied by apparatuses consisting of comparative variants, annotations, sources and references, introductions and appendices – for the lasting benefit of those who study Torah and appreciate torani works. In addition to the research itself, one of the functions of the Institute is to train and educate beginning researchers (principally students and alumni of Yeshivat Sha'alvim) in the production of torani literature of high standards of orderliness and quality. The Institute has published thus far corrected, scientific editions of the Shu"t Tashbets - responsa of Rav Shimeon ben Zemah Duran of Algiers and his students (5 volumes), the Semag of Rav Moses ben Jacob of Coucy, France (13th century) with its commentaries (2 volumes, others in preparation), Amudei Shlomo - the commentary of the Maharshal (Rav Shlomo Luria, Poland, 16th century) on the Semag (3 volumes), Arugath haBosem of Rav Michael Bacharach of Prague (18th century) on Shulhan Arukh Even haEzer (2 volumes), the halakhic works of Rav Solomon ben Moses Chelm of Poland and Israel (18th century, 4 volumes, others in preparation), Ets Haym of Rav Haym ben Isaac of France of the era of the Tosafists (14 th century), Zikhron Yehudah - responsa of Rav Judah ben Asher (haRosh) of Iberia (14th century), the encyclopedic work Shiltei haGiborim of Rav Abraham Porteleone (`the physician`) of Italy (16th century), Sheelot uTeshuvot Rav Hayyim Kafusi, responsa of Rav Hayyim Kafusi - counted among the great Torah scholars in Egypt in the era of the Beit Yosef (15th – 16th centuries) and more. Many additional volumes are currently at advanced stages of editing, awaiting publication, among them the remaining volumes of the Semag and its commentaries, an additional legal work of Rav Simeon ben Zemah Duran entitled Yavin Shemua on the rules of terefot (conditions invalidating kashrut), Shulhan Atsei Shittim of Rav Solomon ben Moses Chelm on the laws of the Sabbath, Yosef Omets on the customs of Frankfurt am Main of Rav Joseph Juspa Hahn (17th century), Yehuda Yaale - responsa of Rav Yehuda Aszód of Slovakia-Hungary (18th-19th century), Moshe Yedaber of Rav Moses ben Elijah Israel of Rhodes (18th century), Sefer haShorashim (Lexicon) and Sefer haMikhlol (Comprehensive Grammar) of the RaDaK – Rav David Kimhi (12th century – foundational works for researching the Hebrew language) and more. In addition, the Institute publishes the estimable torani-scientific journal HaMa'yan, a well-established quarterly (founded 5713/1953) which comes out regularly and punctually every three months. Since 5752 (1992), the person in charge of research at the Institute is Rav Yoel Catane, an instructor at Yeshivat Sha'alvim. e We hope that we will have the means to continue in this sacred service for many more years 'to increase Torah and to exalt it', and in the perpetual memory of Shlomo Aumann z"l who fell in battle in the prime of his life Al Kidush Hashem (to sanctify Gd's name) in defense of the people and the land.