Auction 74 - Judaica - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
Or HaChaim (by the Chassid Yaavetz), with the Maayan Ganim Commentary by the Bnei Yissaschar – Zhovkva, 1848 – First Edition of the Maayan Ganim Commentary – Sharp Polemic Work Against Moses Mendelssohn and the Haskalah Movement
Opening: $400
Sold for: $625
Including buyer's premium
Or HaChaim, censure of the study of philosophy, by R. Yosef Yaavetz – the Chassid Yaavetz, with Maayan Ganim, commentary and expansions, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. Zhovkva, 1848. First edition of the Maayan Ganim commentary.
The author, R. Yosef Yaavetz (1440?-1508), a Spanish exile, presents at length his contention that the expulsion resulted from Spanish Jewry's preoccupation with Greek philosophy, preferring it over Torah wisdom. His book Or HaChaim was first printed in Ferrara, 1554.
Maayan Ganim by the Bnei Yissaschar is a polemic work. The main part is a caustic diatribe on the Haskalah movement – against Galician maskilim, Moses Mendelssohn and his writings, their followers and prospective followers.
This is presumably the first work fiercely criticizing and denunciating not only Mendelssohn's works and translations but also Mendelssohn himself. For instance: "Behold, in our generation, their prime teacher (certainly his fire did not go out and his worm did not die, for he caused the public to sin and brazenly misinterpreted the Torah, in disaccord with Jewish law) translated the Bible into foreign languages, overturned and perverted Judaism, until even the nations realized that they have departed from Judaism, and his books must never gain acceptability amongst the Jewish people, forever" (p. 9b).
Maayan Ganim was printed after the author's passing (Tevet 1841). After the book was published, the author's son, Rebbe David of Dinov, presented it to Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, a leading Galician rebbe. After studying the book, R. Yehoshua exclaimed: "This is not a book, this is a piece of Jewish heart… a fiery flame". In response, Rebbe David described to him the circumstances under which his father composed the book: "My father was once ill for six consecutive weeks, he hardly ate and drank… [His family] summoned a doctor to examine him, who pronounced that the patient has a certain desire, which if fulfilled, would help him recover. Upon hearing this, R. Tzvi Elimelech took paper and ink, closeted himself in his room, and began writing the book Maayan Ganim… without stopping. When he finished writing… he declared that he feels better, and added: Now I have revealed to all the impure character of the maskilim" (R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, II, Bnei Brak 2005 edition, p. 514).
[1], 32, [2] leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 356.
The author, R. Yosef Yaavetz (1440?-1508), a Spanish exile, presents at length his contention that the expulsion resulted from Spanish Jewry's preoccupation with Greek philosophy, preferring it over Torah wisdom. His book Or HaChaim was first printed in Ferrara, 1554.
Maayan Ganim by the Bnei Yissaschar is a polemic work. The main part is a caustic diatribe on the Haskalah movement – against Galician maskilim, Moses Mendelssohn and his writings, their followers and prospective followers.
This is presumably the first work fiercely criticizing and denunciating not only Mendelssohn's works and translations but also Mendelssohn himself. For instance: "Behold, in our generation, their prime teacher (certainly his fire did not go out and his worm did not die, for he caused the public to sin and brazenly misinterpreted the Torah, in disaccord with Jewish law) translated the Bible into foreign languages, overturned and perverted Judaism, until even the nations realized that they have departed from Judaism, and his books must never gain acceptability amongst the Jewish people, forever" (p. 9b).
Maayan Ganim was printed after the author's passing (Tevet 1841). After the book was published, the author's son, Rebbe David of Dinov, presented it to Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, a leading Galician rebbe. After studying the book, R. Yehoshua exclaimed: "This is not a book, this is a piece of Jewish heart… a fiery flame". In response, Rebbe David described to him the circumstances under which his father composed the book: "My father was once ill for six consecutive weeks, he hardly ate and drank… [His family] summoned a doctor to examine him, who pronounced that the patient has a certain desire, which if fulfilled, would help him recover. Upon hearing this, R. Tzvi Elimelech took paper and ink, closeted himself in his room, and began writing the book Maayan Ganim… without stopping. When he finished writing… he declared that he feels better, and added: Now I have revealed to all the impure character of the maskilim" (R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, II, Bnei Brak 2005 edition, p. 514).
[1], 32, [2] leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 356.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books