Bidspirit auction | Tana Devei Eliyahu – First

Tana Devei Eliyahu – First Edition – Venice, 1598 – Segulah Book for ”All Successes in the World” - Tana Devei Eliyahu, an early midrash attributed to the prophet Elijah, comprising Seder Eliyahu Rabba and Seder Eliyahu Zuta. Venice: Daniel Zanetti, 1598. First edition. Tana Devei Eliyahu is an aggadic midrash attributed to the prophet Elijah. The Talmud (Ketubot) describes how Elijah would teach Rav Anan the Seder Eliyahu. The book, comprised of Eliyahu Rabba (31 chapters) and Eliyahu Zuta (15 chapters), contains homilies on Biblical verses, beginning with Creation, Adam, the forefathers, the Exodus and more. The midrash also contains ethical teachings and admonishments to acts of kindness and care in mitzvah observance. The proofreader, R. Yaakov Castilaz, writes in the afterword that he proofread the book based on an early manuscript scribed in the year 1186. The Virtue of Studying Tana Devei Eliyahu The great Jewish Torah scholars, and especially the Chassidic masters, extolled Tana Devei Eliyahu and the high virtue of studying it. A Chassidic edition of the book (Zhovkva, 1796) contains approbations showering blessings on those who study the book. R. Zusha of Anipoli writes in his approbation that students of the book will certainly have great reward, righteous children, wealth, good life, and bounteous salvation and blessing, and ”in the merit of studying this holy book, may we merit to hear ourselves the words of the messenger, the prophet Elijah, speedily in our days…”. R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev writes in his approbation that he asked all his followers to study the book daily, adding that those studying the book will certainly have peace of mind, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, holiness and purity, and ”all successes in the world, for all the wishes of their heart for the good…”. R. Meir of Brody writes in his approbation that anyone who studies it every day will attain upright character and hidden secrets. 69 leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Tears, including small marginal tear to title page, repaired with paper to verso, and another tear to one leaf, repaired with tape. Old binding. Illustrated bookplate of R. Justus (Tzadok) Tal, leading Dutch rabbi. Rabbi of Utrecht from 1918, and Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam and Holland after the Holocaust (d. 1954). Son of R. Moshe Tuviah Tal, Rabbi of Arnheim and the Hague (d. 1898). Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.