Bidspirit auction | Copy presented by the Holy

Copy presented by the Holy Gaon the author to his son, the publisher Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Segal Landau, ABD Kempen—bearing a self dedication. Me’on HaBerachot, First Edition, Dyhernfurth 1816. - Sefer Me’on HaBerachot—novellae on Tractate Berachot, by the gaon Rabbi Yisrael Yonah Landau. First Edition. Dyhernfurth, 1816. In his work, the author addresses the position of his illustrious cousin, the Noda BiYehuda, who opposed the recital of Leshem Yichud, and he defends the custom. On the title page appears his impressive early stamp: “Yosef Shmuel son of R. Yisrael Yonah – J.S.J.L.” Alongside a handwritten signature: “Belongs to me, by my name Shmuel, the humble Yosef Segal Landau.” On leaf 2, a long and beautiful autograph self-dedication in his own handwriting:  “A gift given from the honor of my revered father, the great gaon, חריף ובקי in all chambers of Torah—no secret hidden from him, renowned in all corners of the land, whose praise cannot be fully expressed, known in Judah and Israel by name-our master Rabbi Yisrael Yonah Segal Landau… These are the words of his son, who brought this pleasant book to the printing press—Shmuel, the humble Yosef Segal Landau, son of the gaon, author of this work and other delightful compositions which we have not yet merited to see in print.” Beneath it appears a signature:  “Yisrael Yonah, son of Y. the Levite, Landau.”  (This differs from the author’s commonly known signature-perhaps in his old age, & in honor of his son the publisher, he signed more clearly.) There is also a nice dedication from 1862 to the groom R. Menachem Mendel (Emaunuel) Henschel (1819–1883) of Kempen, written by a member of the author’s family. The author Rabbi Yisrael Yonah Landau was born around 1749 to his father Rabbi Yosef Segal Landau, Av Beit Din of Rohatyn and Khmelnik. He married into the distinguished Peretz family of Lubartów, and at his father-in-law’s table he associated with leading figures of the generation, including Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (author of Kedushat Levi), Rebbe Yissachar Ber of Zlotchov, and Rabbi Yosef Teomim. While still young, he was chosen by the leaders of Lublin to serve as Av Beit Din in place of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Margolies, but when he heard that Rabbi Azriel Horowitz was also a candidate, he yielded the position to him. He later served as Av Beit Din of Luboml, and from around 1786 as Av Beit Din of Kempen, where he led the community for forty years until his passing in 1824. He was widely known in his generation as a supreme tzaddik and a wonder-worker-expelling dybbuks and distributing amulets. As Rabbi Shimon Orenstein described: “The world trembled before him, many came from the ends of the earth to witness his greatness and hear his wisdom in both revealed and hidden Torah. Every sick person who saw him was healed, for the pearls of Torah and Kabbalah hung upon his neck.” Even his colleague, Rabbi Akiva Eger, once requested from him an amulet for a boy in his city, writing: “My soul implores Your Honor to do this for me… and send swiftly an amulet for him—perhaps God will grant success, and it will be like restoring a Jewish soul to life.” He was deeply revered by the giants of his generation; it is told that when he came to the holy Maggid of Kozhnitz, the latter rose from his seat and greeted him: “ברוך הבא הרב מקעמפנא.” He passed away in 1824. His son Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Segal Landau (1800–1836), who succeeded his father in the rabbinate of Kempen and passed away young at age 36, authored Kur HaBechinah – Mishkan Shiloh (Breslau, 1837). The Chatam Sofer wrote in his approbation: “…A great man among giants, drawing deep waters… I too perceived the depths of his wisdom… his words are aligned with halacha and practice…” 131 Leaves. 36.3 cm.