Bidspirit auction | Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah. First Edition.

Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah. First Edition. Novy Dvor, 1782. Rare * A guide to Avodas Hashem that sets forth the proper kavanos for prayer, mitzvos, and Torah study, according to both the revealed and hidden Torah, and overflowing with words of mussar, to inspire a person to devote his soul to the service of Hashem and to please the will of his Creator. By the holy Rav and Kabbalist Rabbi Alexander Ziskind of Horodna. Very little is known about the author's life. Yet from his sefer emerges the image of a great tzaddik, whose entire spiritual life was devoted with fiery passion to the service of Hashem. He engaged extensively in fasts, afflictions, and immersion in mikvaos, unmatched in his holiness, chassidus, and asceticism. It was said of him that he was “unique in his generation in fear of Heaven, ” as recorded in a eulogy in the sefer Hillel Ben Shachar (Warsaw, 1804). In his will, he wrote: “I testify upon myself, Heaven and earth as my witnesses, my beloved sons, that I did not omit a single one of these intentions in all the prayers and all the expressions of thanksgiving, with even greater intensity, and many more besides, which I was unable to set forth in my composition. I nevertheless had those intentions, with the help of Hashem, due to the greatness of my love for Hashem, may He be exalted.” From the time of the sefer’s appearance, Gedolei Yisrael — both chassidim and misnagdim — embraced the sefer and followed it, and it merited to be printed many times. This first edition is particularly rare. At the beginning of the sefer there is an approbation by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the author of Kedushas Levi, from the period of his rabbanus in Pinsk. Out of his intense love for Eretz Yisrael and for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash, the author added to his sefer explanations concerning the borders of Eretz Yisrael, an elucidation of the form of the Beis HaMikdash mentioned in the sefer of Yechezkel, as well as corrections to Rashi’s commentary in all of Tanach. Leaf 100b features a map of the borders of Eretz Yisrael in Parshas Masei. These additions were omitted from most later editions (see Ben Yaakov). The subsequent printings also suffered from many omissions and distortions due to censorship. The sefer is arranged and ordered by gates (chapters), with each chapter bearing a separate name corresponding to one of the gates of the Beis HaMikdash, such as Sha'ar HaMizrach, Sha'ar HaNitzotz, Sha'ar HaMayim, and others. Due to a lack of funds for the expenses of printing, the author initially printed only up to leaf 116b. He later succeeded in completing the printing and finished the final chapter, Sha'ar HaKollel, as he discusses on leaves 97a and 117a. Novy Dvor, 1782. First Edition. Page Count: 134 leaves . Size: 22 cm . Condition: A few stains in the margins of the first leaves and the final leaf; minor professional restoration. It is exceedingly rare to find this sefer in such fine condition. New, elegant leather binding. On the title page appears the signature of the gaon and chassid Rabbi Yaakov Meir Biderman of Gur, son-in-law of the Sfas Emes. His sons-in-law were the Beis Yisrael, and from his second marriage, the Imrei Emes. The Pnei Menachem was born from his second marriage. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 477 Previously sold: Apple Auction 2024 *** The Author’s Promise to Those Who Study His Sefer At the conclusion of his famous will, the author of Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah wrote: “My earnest and very strong request is that a daily study be established in this sefer, and I promise them that I will continually serve as a faithful advocate on their behalf in the Upper World, and to the one who listens, it shall be pleasant.” *** “An oved Hashem Yisborach” — this is how the author of Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah saw himself in his great humility. In this same spirit, he instructed in his will that no titles whatsoever be engraved upon his tombstone, but only the following words: “Here is buried Alexander Ziskind, son of Moshe, born to the woman Rivkah, an oved Hashem, may He be blessed.” ---------------------------------------- Any inquiries about this lot? We are also available on WhatsApp >>>