Maaseh Rokeach - Amsterdam, 1740 - First Edition - Segulah for Happiness

Maaseh Rokeach - Amsterdam, 1740 - First Edition - Segulah for Happiness
Maaseh Rokeach, Kabbalistic allusions relating to the number of chapters in Mishnayot, by R. Elazar Rokeach. Amsterdam, [1740]. First edition.
The author, R. Elazar Rokeach, a holy Torah scholar and Kabbalist, served as Rabbi of Brody and Amsterdam. He published his book Maaseh Rokeach in 1740, on his way to Eretz Israel, a short while before his passing. The book presents lofty Kabbalistic allusions and secrets relating to the number of chapters comprising the Six Orders of Mishnah, the number of chapters in each order, and the number of chapters in each tractate. As the author writes in his preface: "For not by coincidence nor happenstance was it so, rather all was written with Heavenly-guided understanding, and arranged deliberately for allegoric and esoteric allusions". The author also writes that "the first and last letters of the chapters were purposefully selected for their numeric values, following allegoric and esoteric allusions". The book was published in several editions, with enthusiastic approbations by leading Torah scholars, acclaiming the holiness of the book and its author. R. Moshe Berin Blum Rabbi of Vyshnivets writes in his approbation (to the second edition, printed in Mohyliv-Podilskyi, 1817): "…He was endowed with Heavenly inspiration, as is universally acknowledged that this Torah scholar availed himself of Divine Inspiration akin to the early Sages…". The current Rebbe of Belz wrote in his approbation to the 1993 edition: "It is well known that this holy book was particularly cherished by our holy rabbis [Rebbes of the Belz dynasty, descendants of the author], and in 1955, my uncle the Rebbe [Rebbe Aharon Rokeach] gave his blessings for publishing this book, quoting his father the Maharid, who asserted that studying this holy book is a segulah for happiness".
On the title page: Signature of R. "Mordechai Friedman of Mezeritch", signature of R. "David Yudel Kaufman" and stamps. Copyings on the last page, handwritten by R. David Yudel Kaufman, regarding the medal issued in Amsterdam in 1735 depicting the author R. Elazar Rokeach.
[2], 2-121; 6 leaves. 23.5 cm. Especially wide margins. Good condition. Dampstains. Dark stains and a wormhole to title page. New fabric binding.