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Most of my information about Rav Landau comes from the introductions to the second volume of Noda B’Yehuda, by his sons, Rav Shmuel, the editor, and Yaakovka, who encouraged the project and wrote a longer piece. Yechezkel Landau was born in Apta in 1713, to Yehuda, a wealthy, scholarly businessman, and Chaya, the saintly daughter of the chief rabbi of Dubnow. In Rav Yechezkel’s own introduction to the first volume, he thanks Rav Yitzchak Isaac Segal, his teacher from age 11 to 13. During his adolescence, he moved to Brody to study there. By the age of 20 or so, the community of Brody appointed him as one of its main dayanim. Rav Yechezkel stayed in that position for about a decade, after which he was appointed the rabbi of Yampol. After a decade, in 1755, he was chosen as the chief rabbi of one of the most important Jewish communities and cities in Europe, Prague.
In Prague, the Noda B’Yehuda continued his local rabbinic duties. (His son praised him for not fleeing Prague before the Siege of Prague (1757) but staying and being of major help.) His reputation drew many promising Talmudic students to study with him, the most famous of whom was Rav Avraham Danzig, author of Chayei Adam. He also was a major spokesman on both halachic matters and questions of the time, such as the attitude toward Moses Mendelson and the Haskala movement. (While enjoying a broad base of knowledge that included sciences, the Noda B’yehuda was a strong opponent.) In one of his most famous rulings, he opposed autopsies except those related to a specific urgent need.
The Noda B’yehuda’s writings are a valuable part of any serious Jewish library. It is interesting that he picked titles to commemorate his parents. His work on several Talmudic tractates is named the Tzlach, abbreviation of "A Memorial for the Spirit of Chaya." His monumental work of responsa, the Noda B’Yehuda (Known in Yehuda), is named for his father. He explained that the reason that he, Yechezkel, is known, is because he is a son of the illustrious Yehuda. He published the first volume in his lifetime. According to his son, it was a most aesthetic (in addition to brilliant) volume which he paid for with his own money and that he made no effort to profit from sales. It took 17 years after his death in 1793 for the second volume to be published. As both brothers wrote, Rav Shmuel was so busy as his father’s successor in Prague that he did not get around to editing the manuscripts his father gave him. Yaakovka and others from Brody told him firmly that the Torah world would not accept further delay. This volume includes notes and some responsa of Rav Shmuel. We will present selections from the Choshen Mishpat sections of both volumes.
P'ninat Mishpat (825)
Various Rabbis
369 - Paying for Non-Kosher Wine
370 - Introduction and Biography of the Noda B’Yehuda
371 - A Third Dayan Who Was a Relative
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Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Sharing in Plumbing Expenses – part II
based on ruling 85013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Undoing a Problematic Partnership – part I
based on ruling 84061 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.