Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Halachah Acharonah and Kuntress HaRe'ayot, with Sefer HaPardes, by R. Aryeh Leib Epstein. Königsberg, [1759-1762]. Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna.
On leaf 9 of the first sequence, approbation by the Gaon of Vilna, with the heading: " Approbation by… R. Eli. son of R. Shlomo Zalman, who sits in the assembly of the wise in the Beit Midrash of Vilna". This is one of the only two approbations ever given by the Gaon of Vilna.
R. Aryeh Leib Epstein published his works in parts (individual booklets) over the years 1759-1762, interrupting the printing every now and then due to lack of funding or other difficulties, as he writes in several places in this book. Some of his works were not completed in print. The works he managed to print were bound together in different ways, creating various variants of this book (R. Aryeh Leib concurrently printed a parallel edition in smaller format). See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
The works in this book deal with various topics: laws and kavanot of the 613 mitzvot, halachic novellae, sermons and eulogies delivered by R. Aryeh Leib (1729-1734), and more.
The present book has two title pages. The first title page states: "This is the book Halachah Acharonah and Kuntress HaRe'ayot". The first three leaves contain a preface, approbations and a sample of Sefer HaPardes. Leaves 9-14: additional approbations, including the approbation by the Gaon of Vilna, preface to the book Or HaShanim – Mahadura Batra, and a sample of the book. Leave 15-42: Kuntress HaRe'ayot. This is followed by a second title page, for "Sefer HaPardes… followed by Sefer HaDerushim, followed by Sefer Hespedim, including Sefer Yalkut Sachar VeOnesh".
Leaf 8 of Sefer HaPardes features a letter of responsum from R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. In his introduction to the letter, the author mentions the polemic between R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz and R. Yaakov Emden.
Signatures and stamps of the Moses family of Biala on the first title page: signatures of "Moshe Moses"; "Yudel Moses"; stamp of "Yudel son of R. A.Z. Moses of Biala" (the Moses family of Biala was a wealthy family of community leaders, including R. Alexander Ziskind Moses and his son R. Yudel, who were followers and disciples of the Seraf of Kotsk. See enclosed material).
[1], 3, 9-42 leaves; [1], 2-9; 1-23; 1-22; 81-86, 127-144 leaves. 20.5 cm. Condition varies. Stains, wear and tears. Open tears and worming, affecting text. Margins trimmed close to headings on some leaves. Most leaves professionally restored with paper and remargined. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 989.
On leaf 9 of the first sequence, approbation by the Gaon of Vilna, with the heading: " Approbation by… R. Eli. son of R. Shlomo Zalman, who sits in the assembly of the wise in the Beit Midrash of Vilna". This is one of the only two approbations ever given by the Gaon of Vilna.
R. Aryeh Leib Epstein published his works in parts (individual booklets) over the years 1759-1762, interrupting the printing every now and then due to lack of funding or other difficulties, as he writes in several places in this book. Some of his works were not completed in print. The works he managed to print were bound together in different ways, creating various variants of this book (R. Aryeh Leib concurrently printed a parallel edition in smaller format). See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.
The works in this book deal with various topics: laws and kavanot of the 613 mitzvot, halachic novellae, sermons and eulogies delivered by R. Aryeh Leib (1729-1734), and more.
The present book has two title pages. The first title page states: "This is the book Halachah Acharonah and Kuntress HaRe'ayot". The first three leaves contain a preface, approbations and a sample of Sefer HaPardes. Leaves 9-14: additional approbations, including the approbation by the Gaon of Vilna, preface to the book Or HaShanim – Mahadura Batra, and a sample of the book. Leave 15-42: Kuntress HaRe'ayot. This is followed by a second title page, for "Sefer HaPardes… followed by Sefer HaDerushim, followed by Sefer Hespedim, including Sefer Yalkut Sachar VeOnesh".
Leaf 8 of Sefer HaPardes features a letter of responsum from R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz. In his introduction to the letter, the author mentions the polemic between R. Yehonatan Eybeschutz and R. Yaakov Emden.
Signatures and stamps of the Moses family of Biala on the first title page: signatures of "Moshe Moses"; "Yudel Moses"; stamp of "Yudel son of R. A.Z. Moses of Biala" (the Moses family of Biala was a wealthy family of community leaders, including R. Alexander Ziskind Moses and his son R. Yudel, who were followers and disciples of the Seraf of Kotsk. See enclosed material).
[1], 3, 9-42 leaves; [1], 2-9; 1-23; 1-22; 81-86, 127-144 leaves. 20.5 cm. Condition varies. Stains, wear and tears. Open tears and worming, affecting text. Margins trimmed close to headings on some leaves. Most leaves professionally restored with paper and remargined. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 989.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $300
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Darchei Noam, wonderful composition on the teachings of Rabba Bar Bar Chana, using various approaches, by R. Shmuel son of R. Eliezer of Kalvarija. Königsberg, [1764]. Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna.
The approbation by the Gaon of Vilna was printed on the verso of the title page, with the heading " The great luminary… G-dly man, the renowned R. Eli. Chassid of Vilna". This is one of the only two approbations ever given by the Gaon of Vilna.
The approbation, written on 25th Sivan 1762, contains a blessing for the author: "May he succeed in publishing it, with G-d's will, to revive many people and grant them the merit of seeing the pleasantness of G-d…".
In this book, the teachings of Rabba Bar Bar Chana were explained according to the Derash, Remez and Sod approaches. The author writes in his preface that the Redemption is contingent on the study of Torah using all four approaches: Peshat, Remez, Derash and Sod, and especially on the study of Kabbalah, "as stated in the Zohar, that in the merit of the study of the Zohar, we will be redeemed from exile…". In this preface, the author also makes messianic calculations, and writes that the year 5541 [1780-1781] is the year of the Redemption (see: Aryeh Morgenstern, Messianic Calculations in the Book Darchei Noam, in his book Mistika UMeshichiyut, pp. 125-130).
2, 117 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains (including dampstains) and wear. Worming, affecting text of some leaves, primarily first leaves (repaired in part). Leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text on some leaves. Owner's signature and censor's stamp on title page. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 990.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
The approbation by the Gaon of Vilna was printed on the verso of the title page, with the heading " The great luminary… G-dly man, the renowned R. Eli. Chassid of Vilna". This is one of the only two approbations ever given by the Gaon of Vilna.
The approbation, written on 25th Sivan 1762, contains a blessing for the author: "May he succeed in publishing it, with G-d's will, to revive many people and grant them the merit of seeing the pleasantness of G-d…".
In this book, the teachings of Rabba Bar Bar Chana were explained according to the Derash, Remez and Sod approaches. The author writes in his preface that the Redemption is contingent on the study of Torah using all four approaches: Peshat, Remez, Derash and Sod, and especially on the study of Kabbalah, "as stated in the Zohar, that in the merit of the study of the Zohar, we will be redeemed from exile…". In this preface, the author also makes messianic calculations, and writes that the year 5541 [1780-1781] is the year of the Redemption (see: Aryeh Morgenstern, Messianic Calculations in the Book Darchei Noam, in his book Mistika UMeshichiyut, pp. 125-130).
2, 117 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains (including dampstains) and wear. Worming, affecting text of some leaves, primarily first leaves (repaired in part). Leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text on some leaves. Owner's signature and censor's stamp on title page. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 990.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $1,000
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Pri Yitzchak, commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, by the kabbalist R. Yitzchak Eizik of Polotsk. Horodna, 1797. First edition.
This copy includes the approbation by R. Saadya of Vilna in the name of his teacher the Gaon of Vilna, printed on a piece of paper and pasted on the verso of the title page. This piece of paper is rare (we know of only one other copy containing it – the NLI copy).
In his approbation, R. Saadya son of R. Natan Nota of Vilna, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, relates that he asked his teacher whether to publish the book, and the Gaon of Vilna approved and blessed it.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizik son of R. Yekutiel Zalman of Polotsk also authored a commentary on Tikunei Zohar, published under the title Be'er Yitzchak (Zhovkva, 1778), in which he brings novellae which he heard from the Gaon of Vilna. This is one of the first books quoting teachings of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Copy of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. His signature appears at the foot of the title page: "Zundel of Salant, 10 kopecks". Another inscription by R. Zundel, on the endpaper, documents the purchase of the book, in his youth in Vilna (in the lifetime of his father) " I purchased from R. Yosef the bookseller of Vilna in the synagogue courtyard, Yosef Zundel son of R. Beinush of Salant".
A later inscription in his handwriting at the top of the title page: " I found it in the public auction of R. Avraham son of R. Meir, and I recognized it as mine, and I don’t know how it came into his possession, and I bought it for 80 Para (Ottoman currency)". Other inscriptions and signatures.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, and the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel was the main transmitter of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and R. Chaim of Volozhin. In his writings, which contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways, he refers to R. Chaim of Volozhin as "my master and teacher" and to the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi".
R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement since he was the teacher of the movement's founder, R. Yisrael of Salant. In his youth in Salant, R. Yisrael cleaved to R. Yosef Zundel, who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes.
Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter. His prominent son-in-law was R. Shmuel Salant, who immigrated after him to Jerusalem and served as its rabbi for close to seventy years.
[7], 36, [1] leaves. Lacking 4 of [11] leaves at beginning. 16.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. Original binding. Wear, damage and worming to binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 992.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
This copy includes the approbation by R. Saadya of Vilna in the name of his teacher the Gaon of Vilna, printed on a piece of paper and pasted on the verso of the title page. This piece of paper is rare (we know of only one other copy containing it – the NLI copy).
In his approbation, R. Saadya son of R. Natan Nota of Vilna, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, relates that he asked his teacher whether to publish the book, and the Gaon of Vilna approved and blessed it.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizik son of R. Yekutiel Zalman of Polotsk also authored a commentary on Tikunei Zohar, published under the title Be'er Yitzchak (Zhovkva, 1778), in which he brings novellae which he heard from the Gaon of Vilna. This is one of the first books quoting teachings of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Copy of R. Yosef Zundel of Salant. His signature appears at the foot of the title page: "Zundel of Salant, 10 kopecks". Another inscription by R. Zundel, on the endpaper, documents the purchase of the book, in his youth in Vilna (in the lifetime of his father) " I purchased from R. Yosef the bookseller of Vilna in the synagogue courtyard, Yosef Zundel son of R. Beinush of Salant".
A later inscription in his handwriting at the top of the title page: " I found it in the public auction of R. Avraham son of R. Meir, and I recognized it as mine, and I don’t know how it came into his possession, and I bought it for 80 Para (Ottoman currency)". Other inscriptions and signatures.
R. Yosef Zundel of Salant (1787-1866) was a foremost disciple of R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, and the prime teacher of R. Yisrael of Salant. R. Zundel studied in the Volozhin yeshiva, and was attached to the yeshiva dean, R. Chaim of Volozhin, who recognized his great stature and admitted him into the circle of his closest disciples, to whom he transmitted all the teachings of his great teacher the Gaon of Vilna, in revealed and hidden realms of the Torah. R. Zundel was the main transmitter of the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna and R. Chaim of Volozhin. In his writings, which contain numerous excerpts and notes from their teachings and ways, he refers to R. Chaim of Volozhin as "my master and teacher" and to the Gaon of Vilna as "the great rabbi".
R. Yosef Zundel is considered the father of the mussar movement since he was the teacher of the movement's founder, R. Yisrael of Salant. In his youth in Salant, R. Yisrael cleaved to R. Yosef Zundel, who transmitted to him the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna, and under his directives began studying mussar intensely and disseminating the mussar approach to the multitudes.
Parts of his writings were published in the book HaTzaddik R. Yosef Zundel MiSalant VeRabbotav (Jerusalem, 1927), which includes his biography, his writings and the writings of his teachers R. Chaim of Volozhin and the Gaon of Vilna, of which he was the main transmitter. His prominent son-in-law was R. Shmuel Salant, who immigrated after him to Jerusalem and served as its rabbi for close to seventy years.
[7], 36, [1] leaves. Lacking 4 of [11] leaves at beginning. 16.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, affecting text. Stamps. Original binding. Wear, damage and worming to binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 992.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $200
Sold for: $1,500
Including buyer's premium
Binyan Shlomo, homiletics on the Torah, by R. Shlomo, rabbi of Zichlin (Żychlin). Shklow, [1789]. Only edition. Mention of the name of the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime.
Part I (part II was never published). Many approbations at the beginning of the book.
The Gaon of Vilna was renowned already in his times, but since he did not allow his works to be published in his lifetime, his teachings were only widely disseminated after his passing. Nevertheless, a few books mention the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime (Vinograd only lists eleven such books in his thesaurus). This is one of those books. The Gaon of Vilna is mentioned here on p. 3b: " And I heard from many people that this was also said by R. Eliyahu Chassid of Vilna…".
35 leaves. Lacking final leaf (with an index and additions to the homiletics). 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains to several leaves. Worming, affecting text. Trimmed ownership inscription at top of title page: "David son of R. Z. Mezeritch…". Stamps. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1288.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Part I (part II was never published). Many approbations at the beginning of the book.
The Gaon of Vilna was renowned already in his times, but since he did not allow his works to be published in his lifetime, his teachings were only widely disseminated after his passing. Nevertheless, a few books mention the Gaon of Vilna in his lifetime (Vinograd only lists eleven such books in his thesaurus). This is one of those books. The Gaon of Vilna is mentioned here on p. 3b: " And I heard from many people that this was also said by R. Eliyahu Chassid of Vilna…".
35 leaves. Lacking final leaf (with an index and additions to the homiletics). 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including large dampstains to several leaves. Worming, affecting text. Trimmed ownership inscription at top of title page: "David son of R. Z. Mezeritch…". Stamps. New binding.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1288.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $100
Unsold
Ya'ir Kino, two commentaries on Tractate Kinnim, Siach HaSadeh and Lekach Tov, by R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling of Vilna. Vilna, 1861.
This book was declared by the gaon of Vilna as a true interpretation of the Torah. This testimony is brought in Aliyot Eliyahu (comment 107), in the name of R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalisch, who heard it from R. Chaim of Volozhin. According to the testimony, the author visited the Gaon of Vilna and showed him the book. The Gaon of Vilna requested that he leave it with him, and studied it throughout the night. The next morning, when R. Chaim of Volozhin came to see the Gaon of Vilna, the latter highly lauded the author and the book, stating that it is a true interpretation of the Torah (see quotation of the testimony in Hebrew description).
The author, R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling, a leading Torah scholar in his times, was the son of R. Levi son of R. David of Koden, author of Ateret Rosh, and brother-in-law of R. Menachem Mendel of Lublin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. R. Menachem Eliezer was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Vilkomir, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (listed second in the list of disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in the foreword by the sons of the Gaon of Vilna to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. He is placed before the brother of R. Chaim of Volozhin – R. Zalman of Volozhin). For further information about R. Menachem Eliezer, see: E. Katzman, R. Menachem Mendel Disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, Yeshurun, IV, 1999, pp. 367-369.
[2], 37 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears and damage to several leaves. Open tear to title page, affecting text. Title page detached. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, detached and broken.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
This book was declared by the gaon of Vilna as a true interpretation of the Torah. This testimony is brought in Aliyot Eliyahu (comment 107), in the name of R. Eliyahu Ragoler Rabbi of Kalisch, who heard it from R. Chaim of Volozhin. According to the testimony, the author visited the Gaon of Vilna and showed him the book. The Gaon of Vilna requested that he leave it with him, and studied it throughout the night. The next morning, when R. Chaim of Volozhin came to see the Gaon of Vilna, the latter highly lauded the author and the book, stating that it is a true interpretation of the Torah (see quotation of the testimony in Hebrew description).
The author, R. Menachem Eliezer Günstling, a leading Torah scholar in his times, was the son of R. Levi son of R. David of Koden, author of Ateret Rosh, and brother-in-law of R. Menachem Mendel of Lublin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. R. Menachem Eliezer was a disciple of R. Shlomo of Vilkomir, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (listed second in the list of disciples of the Gaon of Vilna in the foreword by the sons of the Gaon of Vilna to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. He is placed before the brother of R. Chaim of Volozhin – R. Zalman of Volozhin). For further information about R. Menachem Eliezer, see: E. Katzman, R. Menachem Mendel Disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, Yeshurun, IV, 1999, pp. 367-369.
[2], 37 leaves. 28.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Tears and damage to several leaves. Open tear to title page, affecting text. Title page detached. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions. Old binding, detached and broken.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $500
Unsold
Yesod Olam, on establishing the months and leap years, and astronomy, by R. Yitzchak HaYisraeli. Berlin, [1777]. First edition, published by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, from a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Rabbi of Berlin.
Signature at the top of the title page: " Eli. Vilna". In his inscription on the flyleaf, the son of R. Aharon Chaim Zimmerman (1915-1995) relates to this signature and writes: "my father was in doubt whether the signature in this book… is of the Gaon of Vilna… and I do not know and I didn't ask on what he based [his doubt]" (the wording of the signature does not resemble the way the Gaon of Vilna usually signed, neither is the handwriting similar to established manuscripts of the Gaon of Vilna).
Another inscription in early handwriting: "I acquired this book with Maaser money, for… Jacob –?".
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Yosef HaYisraeli, a Spanish Torah scholar in Toledo in the 14th century, disciple of the Rosh. He wrote his work Yesod Olam upon the request of his teacher the Rosh, as stated on the title page. The book covers various branches of mathematics needed to understand the rules of the Hebrew calendar and astronomy.
The book was published by R. Baruch Schick of Berlin, based on a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin Rabbi of Berlin and with his support (R. Tzvi Hirsh even wrote an approbation to the book). In his foreword, R. Baruch explains at length the importance of studying science and his aspiration to translate books from all disciplines into Hebrew. R. Baruch wrote similarly in his foreword to the Book of Euclid, which he published in The Hague in 1780, where he added that the Gaon of Vilna was the one who commanded him to translate as many scientific works as possible to Hebrew (see next item).
The list of subscribers, printed after the foreword by R. Baruch, includes "the renowned scholar Moshe Dessau" – Moses Mendelssohn. A poem in honor of the book and publisher, by Naftali (Hartwig) Wessely, was printed after the list of subscribers (in those times, Mendelssohn and his group were still regarded with moderation, and R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin entertained friendly ties with Mendelssohn. The battle of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin against the Haskalah movement only began at a later point. See: Yisrael A. Shapiro, Diverging Views on the Question of Torah and Sciences in the School of the Gaon of Vilna, Badad, issue 13, 2003, pp. 12-15).
[1], 93, [7] leaves. Without [2] folded plates at end of book. 19 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Some tears and worming. Lower margins of some leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. New binding. Placed in an elegant matching slipcase.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Signature at the top of the title page: " Eli. Vilna". In his inscription on the flyleaf, the son of R. Aharon Chaim Zimmerman (1915-1995) relates to this signature and writes: "my father was in doubt whether the signature in this book… is of the Gaon of Vilna… and I do not know and I didn't ask on what he based [his doubt]" (the wording of the signature does not resemble the way the Gaon of Vilna usually signed, neither is the handwriting similar to established manuscripts of the Gaon of Vilna).
Another inscription in early handwriting: "I acquired this book with Maaser money, for… Jacob –?".
The author, R. Yitzchak son of Yosef HaYisraeli, a Spanish Torah scholar in Toledo in the 14th century, disciple of the Rosh. He wrote his work Yesod Olam upon the request of his teacher the Rosh, as stated on the title page. The book covers various branches of mathematics needed to understand the rules of the Hebrew calendar and astronomy.
The book was published by R. Baruch Schick of Berlin, based on a manuscript found in the collection of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin Rabbi of Berlin and with his support (R. Tzvi Hirsh even wrote an approbation to the book). In his foreword, R. Baruch explains at length the importance of studying science and his aspiration to translate books from all disciplines into Hebrew. R. Baruch wrote similarly in his foreword to the Book of Euclid, which he published in The Hague in 1780, where he added that the Gaon of Vilna was the one who commanded him to translate as many scientific works as possible to Hebrew (see next item).
The list of subscribers, printed after the foreword by R. Baruch, includes "the renowned scholar Moshe Dessau" – Moses Mendelssohn. A poem in honor of the book and publisher, by Naftali (Hartwig) Wessely, was printed after the list of subscribers (in those times, Mendelssohn and his group were still regarded with moderation, and R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin entertained friendly ties with Mendelssohn. The battle of R. Tzvi Hirsh Levin against the Haskalah movement only began at a later point. See: Yisrael A. Shapiro, Diverging Views on the Question of Torah and Sciences in the School of the Gaon of Vilna, Badad, issue 13, 2003, pp. 12-15).
[1], 93, [7] leaves. Without [2] folded plates at end of book. 19 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Some tears and worming. Lower margins of some leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. New binding. Placed in an elegant matching slipcase.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue
Auction 76 - The Gaon of Vilna and his Disciples: Books and Manuscripts from the Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection
February 2, 2021
Opening: $400
Sold for: $875
Including buyer's premium
The Book of Euclid, fundamentals of geometry, by the Greek mathematician Euclid, translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. The Hague, [1780]. First edition.
The Book of Euclid was translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, upon the instruction of the Gaon of Vilna. In his foreword, R. Baruch Schick relates that when he was by the Gaon of Vilna in Tevet 1778, the latter stated that when a person lacks knowledge in sciences, he will lack a hundred times more in his knowledge of Torah, since Torah and sciences are inextricably linked. The Gaon of Vilna therefore asked him to translate scientific works into the Holy Tongue (see a different version of this foreword in a manuscript, item 59).
[4], 51, [1] leaves, [3] folded plates with geometric diagrams. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Stains. A few tears. Minor marginal worming, not affecting text. Censorship signature and stamp. Old binding. Wear and significant damage to binding. Bookplate.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 861.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
The Book of Euclid was translated to Hebrew by R. Baruch Schick of Shklow, upon the instruction of the Gaon of Vilna. In his foreword, R. Baruch Schick relates that when he was by the Gaon of Vilna in Tevet 1778, the latter stated that when a person lacks knowledge in sciences, he will lack a hundred times more in his knowledge of Torah, since Torah and sciences are inextricably linked. The Gaon of Vilna therefore asked him to translate scientific works into the Holy Tongue (see a different version of this foreword in a manuscript, item 59).
[4], 51, [1] leaves, [3] folded plates with geometric diagrams. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Overall good condition. Stains. A few tears. Minor marginal worming, not affecting text. Censorship signature and stamp. Old binding. Wear and significant damage to binding. Bookplate.
Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 861.
Provenance: The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection, Jerusalem.
Category
Books with Approbations by the Gaon of Vilna
and Books Quoting His Teachings in His Lifetime
Catalogue