Bidspirit auction | Rare! Pele Yo'etz - Two

Rare! Pele Yo'etz - Two Volumes. Kushta, 1824. First Edition. - Sefer Pele Yo'etz, first and second parts [letters Aleph- Taf], by Rabbi Eliezer Papo, one of the foundational works of Musar literature, accepted in all communities of Israel. Kushta, printed by Yaakov HaLevi and Yosef Anavi, 1824. First edition printed during the lifetime of the author. In his introduction, the author addresses the readers of his work, promising them good reward in this world and in the World to Come, and requests that they study and expound his words publicly in synagogues and study halls, so that his work will bear fruit and benefit the public: “…and I also beseech all those who know the law to read in my book and expound my words in public in synagogues and study halls, perhaps G-d will grant me favor and merit that my words bear fruit, and thus my soul shall rejoice in Hashem…” The holy gaon Rabbi Eliezer Papo (1786–1828 ) was among the oldest families of the distinguished Sarajevo community. From his youth he taught Torah publicly and his fame spread far and wide. At approximately 34 years of age he was appointed rabbi of Silistra in Bulgaria, and became known as a supreme holy figure, exceedingly pious and ascetic, and a worker of wonders. His Pele Yoetz, containing musar teachings and ethical guidance arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet, is his most famous work and by which he became known for generations. He also authored She’elot uTeshuvot Pele Yoetz, Elef HaMagen, Chesed leAlafim, Beit Tefillah, and others. He passed away at a young age after a severe illness, at only 42 years old. Signatures in the book: “the young Shmuel Alei HaKohen, may he live” (apparently from the Alei HaKohen family of Aleppo). A correction gloss later added for print: “[it should say that it is reversed]”, possibly in the author’s own handwriting. Collation: 103, [1], 124, [2], 125–126, [2] leaves. Incomplete copy: lacking leaves 57–58 from the first sequence; 53–56, 63–64 from the second sequence. Stains on several leaves, mainly at the margins; on some leaves paper restorations at the upper margins. Overall condition: good–very good.