Bidspirit auction | HaMekach VehaMimkar – Vienna, 1800

HaMekach VehaMimkar – Vienna, 1800 – Copy of Rebbe Mordechai David Unger, First Rebbe of Dombrov, Teacher, Mechutan and Grandfather-in-Law of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz - HaMekach VehaMimkar, laws of commerce by R. Hai Gaon, with Zer Zahav, commentary by R. Elazar Löw, Rabbi of Pilica (author of Shemen Rokeach). Vienna: Joseph Hraschanzky, [1800]. Copy of Rebbe Mordechai David Unger, first Rebbe of Dombrov, disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin. Ownership inscription in Ashkenazic cursive script on first endpaper: ”This book HaMekach VehaMimkar belongs to the great, famous Gaon, R. Mordechai David Unger of Dombrov”. Further inscriptions on endpapers. Another ownership inscription on title page and following leaf: ”Abish”. R. Mordechai David Unger of Dombrov (1770-1846) was a disciple of two Chassidic masters, the Maggid of Kozhnitz and the Chozeh of Lublin. In his youth he studied in the yeshiva of the Maggid of Kozhnitz (as he writes in his approbation to Avodat Yisrael). His father R. Tzvi Hirsch was a disciple of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, and also brought his son along with him to visit. When R. Elimelech saw the child, he was moved that his father merited such a son. After his wedding, he became a close disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, coming to be a leading member of his group of students that included such peers as R. Naftali of Ropshitz, the Yid HaKadosh of Peshischa and the Arya Devei Ila'i. He worked as a wine salesman (his surname Unger comes from the Hungarian wine he sold), but the Chozeh of Lublin directed him to leave his business for a life as a rebbe and leader. The Chozeh told him that the Jewish people need him, his guidance, his prayers and his influence. So he indeed began to serve as Rebbe in Dombrov (Dąbrowa Tarnowska), and he was reputed as a wonder-worker, offering prayers and blessings for the salvation of the Jewish people. He was revered both by his contemporary Chassidic masters as well as the common man, and many traveled to visit him and receive his blessing. His halachic responsa are printed in Sova Semachot (by his disciple, R. Menachem Lazer, Rabbi of Strizov). He was the progenitor of famed dynasties of rebbes and tzaddikim, including his son and successor R. Yosef Unger, second Rebbe of Nadvorna (son-in-law of Rebbe Moshe Elyakim Brieh of Kozhnitz). Rebbe Mordechai David's disciples include R. Shalom (the first) of Kaminka; Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, who praises him several times in his Divrei Chaim (see Even HaEzer sections 2, 58 and elsewhere, and his approbation to Avodat Yisrael by the Maggid of Kozhnitz). The Divrei Chaim of Sanz later became the mechutan of his teacher, when the daughter of the Divrei Chaim married R. Moshe Unger (of Safed). The Divrei Chaim later became his teacher's grandson-in-law, when he married his teacher's granddaughter (his third marriage), Rebbetzin Rechel Devorah daughter of R. Yechiel Tzvi Hirsch Unger of Torna, who became the mother of his youngest children, Rebbe Shalom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfert and R. Yitzchak Yeshayah Halberstam of Tshchoiv and Cracow. [4], 5-100 leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Much wear, creases to margins of most leaves. Creases to title page. Marginal open tears to title page. Worming in a few places. Stains. Early binding, with wear and defects.