Bidspirit auction | Semuchim Le'ad by the Author

Semuchim Le'ad by the Author of Shevet Mussar – First Edition, Saloniki 1826 – Very Rare. - Sefer Semuchim Le’ad, homiletic discourses on each weekly Torah portion, with novel insights on the juxtaposition of parshiyot (sections) — both open (petuchot) and closed (setumot). Authored by the great Rabbi Eliyahu HaCohen of Izmir, the renowned author of Shevet Musar. First Edition. Salonika, 1826. Very Rare! [2], 33-34, 134 , [2] Leaves. 28 cm. Along the margins of the title page is a long inscription (partially cut off) in an antique Sephardic script. The holy genius Rabbi Eliyahu HaCohen of Izmir (ca. 1650 – 1729) was among the leading sages of Izmir. He authored over thirty works, close to forty in total. He was a great advocate for the poor, collecting small donations from the wealthy and distributing them among the needy. Many were brought to repentance through his sermons, admonitions, and sweet language. It is told that once, on a Shabbat afternoon after one of his sermons, a Jew came to his home, kissed his hand, and said: “Let the rabbi know — I was prepared to commit a sin today, but upon hearing your sermon, I turned back and my eyes were opened” (Shevet Musar, chapter 27). Among the works he published during his lifetime are: Shevet Musar, Midrash Talpiyot (vol. I), Me’il Tzedakah, Midrash Eliyahu, Aggadat Eliyahu. As cited by the Chida in Shem HaGedolim, later generations saw the publication of additional works: Midrash HaItamari, Dena Peshara, Minchat Eliyahu, Mizbeach Eliyahu, Ezor Eliyahu (parts of which stem from his Korban Eliyahu), Semuchim Le’ad, Einei HaEdah, Chut Shel Chesed, Velo Od Ela, Yado BaKol, Tehillot Hashem, and Megaleh Tzefunot (Izmir, 1857–1861).