Two foundational works of the Vilna Gaon and his disciple R. Chaim of Volozhin. First editions, bound together:

1. Sifra DiTzniuta, with commentary of the Vilna Gaon. Vilna and Grodno: Menachem Mann son of Baruch and Simchah Simmel son of Menachem Nachum, [1820]. First edition of the commentary of the Vilna Gaon on Sifra DiTzniuta. This is one of the fundamental books for studying and understanding the approach of the Vilna Gaon to kabbalah.

The work was published by R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim, grandson and disciple of the Vilna Gaon (son of R. Avraham son of the Vilna Gaon). Lengthy foreword by R. Chaim of Volozhin at the beginning of the book – the last foreword written by R. Chaim to a book of the Vilna Gaon (he passed away a year after this book was published, in 1821). Following R. Chaim's foreword is another foreword by the publisher R. Yaakov Moshe of Slonim. Both are important sources documenting the Vilna Gaon's life and Torah greatness.

2. "Yirat Hashem LeChaim – Nefesh HaChaim", by R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Vilna Gaon. Vilna and Grodno: Menachem Mann son of Baruch and Simchah Simmel son of Menachem Nachum, 1824. First edition.

A classic book of the teachings of the Vilna Gaon and his disciples, concerning manners of conduct and service of G-d according to both the revealed and hidden realms of the Torah (many parts of the book were written as a response to the Chassidic school of thought, following the philosophy of the Vilna Gaon and his disciples).

On title pages and other leaves of both books, stamps in Hebrew and Latin script of R. Shemaryahu Zuckerman of Mohyliv, father-in-law and teacher of R. David Friedman, Rabbi of Karlin.

On front and back endpaper, ownership inscriptions of "Yosef Melamed Chassid" of Vilna and other inscriptions.

Two books in one volume. Sifra DiTzniuta: [6], 59, [3] leaves. Nefesh HaChaim: [6], 17; 10; 8, [1]; 4; 17 leaves. 22 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dark stains, affecting text. Wear and creases. Tears and open tears, including tear slightly affecting text of one leaf, repaired with paper. Worming in a few places. Stamps and handwritten ownership inscriptions. Early binding, damaged.

Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, No. 696; 1417.

Sifra DiTzniuta with the Commentary of the Vilna Gaon – The Segulah Qualities of the First Edition

The following stories are told about the holiness and segulah of this edition: R. Shemaryahu Greineman told the following story in the name of the Chazon Ish: A dybbuk was once brought before one of the tzaddikim of the previous generation, in the presence of all the townspeople. The tzaddik declared: "Let me show you a wondrous thing!" He presented the dybbuk with two copies of a book (either Sifra DeTzniuta or Sefer Yetzirah), one printed in the previous generation and the second printed in his times. The books were both wrapped in paper, and thus outwardly undistinguishable. The dybbuk took one book and embraced it lovingly; however, he recoiled from the other book saying that he is unable to touch it. The tzaddik explained the reason for this: the impure dybbuk was unable to touch the book published in the previous generation since it was printed by G-d-fearing Jews, unlike the second book, which was printed in a printing press which employed Jews who were lured by the Haskalah movement (Maaseh Ish, V, p. 122, in the name of R. Shemaryahu Greineman who heard the story from the Chazon Ish).

A similar story was told by R. Shmuel David HaKohen Munk (rabbi of the Orthodox community in Haifa), in the name of a Sephardic Jerusalem kabbalist: A person with a dybbuk was brought before the kabbalist, who placed the second edition of the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Sifra DeTzniuta on the man to no avail. He then used the first edition and the man was cured (Zechor LeDavid, II, p. 159). R. Munk also quotes R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz, who reported that when a volume of the first edition was placed in the hands of a dybbuk, he shook and screamed in terror: "The Vilner! The Vilner!", but did not show the same agitation upon similar exposure to a second edition (ibid).