Bidspirit auction | Kabbalas HaGra. First editions. Medrash

Kabbalas HaGra. First editions. Medrash Rus HaChadash, with commentary in the manner of Kabbalistic wisdom by the Gra, Warsaw, 5625 [1865], bound together with the Gra’s commentary on Heichalos HaZohar, first edition, Königsberg, 5617 [1857]. Copy of Rabbi Yechiel Gershon Edelstein, Av Beis Din of Shumiatz, author of Ben Aryeh. - Important Volume Containing Two First Editions of the Vilna Gaon's Kabbalistic Works, Including Among the Earliest Publications of the Gra's Commentaries on the Literature of the Zohar A. Midrash Rus HeChadash – Midrash HaNe'elam on Megillas Rus, with the commentary of the Gra, Hadras Kodesh. First edition. Warsaw, 1865. First edition of the Gra's commentary on Midrash HaNe'elam to Megillas Rus, published from the Zohar Chadash under the title Hadras Kodesh. The volume opens with the celebrated introduction of the holy gaon R. Avraham Simchah of Amstislav, containing the famous account of the ”dybbuk” in Vilna. When a man became possessed by an evil spirit and crowds gathered to witness the spectacle, the Gra looked out from the window of his beis midrash. The spirit immediately cried out: ”Rebbe, it is proclaimed Above: Beware of Eliyahu and his Torah! If you decree that I depart, I must depart.” The Gra replied: ”Never in my life have I wished to have any dealings with you, nor do I wish to speak with you now.” This episode was subsequently reprinted many times and became one of the best-known accounts associated with the Gra. Vinograd, Sifrei HaGra, no. 667. Collation: [5], 33, [1] leaves. This copy retains the original blue publisher's wrapper, an exceptionally rare survival. Printed on the rear wrapper is a list of the Gra's manuscripts that were in the publisher's possession. B. Heichalos HaZohar – From Parshiyos Bereishis and Pekudei, with the commentary of the Gra. First edition. Königsberg, 1857. First edition of the Gra's commentary on Heichalos HaZohar. The volume concludes with various selections from the Gra's Torah, published here for the first time from his autograph manuscript. Vinograd, Sifrei HaGra, no. 672. Collation: [5], 78 leaves. The leaves of Midrash Rus HeChadash are narrower than those of Heichalos HaZohar, as is typical of bindings of the period. Copy of R. Yechmiel Gershon Edelstein, Av Beis Din of Shumiyatz and author of Ben Aryeh. Both works bear his ownership inscriptions and stamps on the opening leaves, together with additional ownership inscriptions and stamps. Condition: Age stains. Scattered wormholes throughout the volume. Good condition.