Tracking a Rare Sefer: A Forensic Case Study Centered on the 1616 Chanukas HaBayis

In this episode, we trace the story of this sefer through bibliographic works and library collections, following the evidence used to piece together information about the work and its author. We look at who encountered the sefer, how it was cited, and what those references reveal about its circulation and use. We then explore why the Magen Avraham made use of this work, and what his reliance on it suggests about its standing significance. The episode concludes with several reflections on the sefer itself and its connection to Chanukah, placing the 1616 Chanukas HaBayis within a broader historical and bibliographic context.