Asara Maamarot by Rabbi Menahem Azariah da Fano - Copy of the Chayei Adam, with His Signature

Asara Maamarot by Rabbi Menahem Azariah da Fano - Copy of the Chayei Adam, with His Signature
Asara Maamarot, by R. Menahem Azariah da Fano, with the Yo'el Moshe commentary by R. Moshe son of R. Shlomo HaLevi of Frankfurt. Amsterdam, 1649.
Copy of R. Avraham Danzig, the Chayei Adam. His signature at the center of the title page: "Avraham Danzig". Another inscription of his name, in square script, appears above the title page border.
R. Avraham Danzig (1748-1820), a leading Torah scholar in his times, disciple-companion and mechutan of the Vilna Gaon, authored classic halachic books: Chayei Adam, Nishmat Adam, Chochmat Adam, and others. Son of R. Yechiel Michel ben R. Shmuel, author of Nechamot Zion. In his youth, R. Avraham studied in Prague and was the disciple of the Noda BiYehuda and of R. Yosef Lieberman, Prague Torah prodigies. The latter granted him a writ titling him Chaver at the age of 18, and wrote among other praises: "Young of age but with a settled mind like the elderly, a disciple who adds to the wisdom of his teachers… proficient in the Talmud and the poskim… he is fluent in his Torah learning…". After his marriage, he settled in Vilna and basked in the presence of the Vilna Gaon, discussing Torah with him. Eventually, he became his mechutan, as R. Avraham's son wed the Vilna Gaon's granddaughter. His reverence of the Vilna Gaon knew no bounds and he expressed his veneration in the eulogies he delivered for him. In the beginning of his book Zichru Torat Moshe, he documented the study schedule of "my mechutan, our Master, Marana v'Rabana Geon Yisrael u'Kedosho Rabbenu Eliyahu Chassid…", and wrote that this schedule is "as commanded to us by Moshe Rabbenu". In his book Chayei Adam, R. Avraham introduces many teachings in the name of the Vilna Gaon, however he also disagrees with him in several places. This caused dissent; therefore in his book Chochmat Adam, R. Avraham refrained from quoting the Gaon so as not to openly disagree with him.
He refused to serve in the rabbinate, following his grandfather's footsteps, dealing in trade for his livelihood, with Torah study being his main priority (as recounted in his famous introduction to Chochmat Adam). In spite of this refusal, he was one of the leaders of the Vilna community, being constantly asked for his opinion on Torah matters and his agreement being sought on all issues.
R. Avraham had strong connections with the prominent rabbis of his times. R. Chaim of Volozhin, together with R. Yaakov of Lisa, author of Chavot Daat, encouraged him to publish his book Chochmat Adam. He exchanged halachic correspondence with R. Meir Pozner, author of Beit Meir.
His books were accepted in the entire Jewish world as basic halachic books, in a generation of great Torah sages, the days of the Vilna Gaon. They became the primary books of Torah rulings in Lithuania until the time of the Mishna Berura, which quotes him everywhere and heavily relies on his rulings. Many of the greatest Torah authorities of his generation and those who lived thereafter quote his books at length and discuss his writings, valuing his opinion.
In the beginning of the second edition of Chayei Adam, he wrote: "Since I am certain that in G-d’s kindness, my works both on Orach Chaim and on Yoreh Deah did not disappoint… and will be printed and reprinted until the Redemption, because even in my lifetime… they have been accepted and have spread throughout the Jewish world, that also after my death they undoubtedly will be even more accepted". The fact that all over Lithuania and Russia "Chayei Adam societies" were established, attests to their impressive success. These societies began in the author's lifetime as his friend R. Chaim of Volozhin wrote: "A man assisted by his Master… whose book Chayei Adam… spread throughout the Jewish world".
Even outside of Lithuania, his books became rudimentary study books, as can be learned from the Chatam Sofer, who affirmed that Torah authorities can rely on the rulings in these books whenever they cannot find the time to study the halachic sources themselves.
R. Avraham dealt extensively in Kabbalah, and the Passover Haggadah which he published with his commentary includes a kabbalistic preface and kabbalistic commentaries. He also wrote piyyutim and prayers, including the Tefillah Zaka, said at the beginning of Yom Kippur. He lived to the age of 73 - the numerical value of the name of his book Chayei Adam.
158 leaves. 20 cm. Fair condition. Stains, damage and wear. Dampness damage. Tears and worming to several leaves. New binding.
See: Stefansky Classics, no. 357.