Lot 82
Signed Ownership Inscription – Rabbi Moshe of Zaloshin
Leaf bearing an ownership inscription signed "Moshe son of R. G. of Zaloshin". Kislev 1820.
R. Moshe of Zaloshin (Działoszyn), son of R. Gershon (1789-1831, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 273-276) was the author of Siddur Tikunei Shabbat, the Mishpat Tzedek commentary to Tehillim and Ge'ulat Yisrael on the Passover Haggada, which were reprinted in dozens of editions.
A prominent righteous man of Poland, he was the father of Rebbe Yaakov Aharon of Zaloshin and R. Yosef Gershon of Dvart (Warta). According to several sources, R. Moshe of Zaloshin was a foremost disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, but this fact is disputed by Chassidic historians (see Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 273-274). It is an established fact that the Chozeh of Lublin greatly revered him, going so far as to praise him "from the age of ten he dedicated himself to G-d". His son, Rebbe Yaakov Aharon of Zaloshin Rabbi of Alexander (Aleksandrów Łódzki), was a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and R. Bunem of Pshischa (see Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 252). His second son, R. Yosef Gershon Rabbi of Dvart, also served as rebbe (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, p. 140).
His book Tikunei Shabbat was published anonymously in his lifetime in Warsaw, 1825. The book earned an enthusiastic approbation from R. Akiva Eiger, who terms the author "Righteous", "outstanding in Torah and Chassidism, fearful and anxious of G-d's word". R. Efraim Zalman Margolies extols his virtues in his approbation to the aforementioned book, describing his holiness and diligent Torah study from a young age, his practice of secluding himself, his great modesty and loathing of honor, which drove him to publish the book anonymously.
Rebbe Yosef, "the Yehudi HaTov from Neustadt", who was engaged in reciting Psalms his entire life, would keep on hand the Tehillim with the Mishpat Tzedek commentary composed by R. Moshe of Zaloshin.
At his passing, R. Meir Yeshaya Meisler of Zlotchov eulogized him describing how he would cry exceedingly during prayer, arousing the whole congregation. He engaged in charity considerably, travelling around to collect funds for needy brides. His zealousness and meticulosity in Mitzva performance were exceptional. There was nothing he did not do with absolute devotion for love of his Creator. For many years, he adopted silence, writing notes when necessary. On Shabbat and Festivals, he would not speak about any secular matters, not even in the Holy Tongue.
[1] leaf. 14.5 cm. Good condition, slight damage.
