Bidspirit auction | Divrei Yosef (Rabbi Yosef Schwarz).

Divrei Yosef (Rabbi Yosef Schwarz). A complete set of all parts of the composition, with the author’s dedication. Jerusalem, 5603–5622 [1843–1862]. First editions. - Sefer “Divrei Yosef – Tevu’os HaAretz – To’os HaAretz” — a foundational work in the study of Eretz Yisrael, its history, borders, settlements, virtues, and unique qualities, by the renowned Gaon and scholar R. Yosef Schwarz. A complete set comprising all parts of the work printed in Jerusalem in their earliest editions. At the beginning of the second volume appears a dedication by the author: “The God-fearing among many, the honorable R. Elazar… teacher of justice in the holy community of … Heberg … the small Yosef Schwarz.” The author, the remarkable Gaon R. Yosef Schwarz (1804–1865), one of the foremost scholars of Eretz Yisrael in recent generations, was born in Floss, Bavaria. In his youth he studied at the great yeshiva of Würzburg under the Gaon R. Avraham Bing. Already in Germany he engaged in the study of Eretz Yisrael and its borders, and even prepared a detailed map of the land that was used by scholars of his generation. In 1833 he ascended to Eretz Yisrael, settled in Jerusalem, and devoted his life to studying the land, its settlements, traditions, and sites. His extensive travels throughout the country and comprehensive research made his work Tevu’os HaAretz one of the most important foundational texts in the field of Eretz Yisrael studies. The book remains a central and authoritative source for geography, borders of the land, the tribes of Israel, ancient cities, holy sites, and traditions of settlement, and is frequently cited in both rabbinic and academic literature. R. Yosef Schwarz passed away in Jerusalem in 1865 and was buried on the Mount of Olives. Among his sons-in-law were leading figures of Jerusalem, including R. Yosef Rivlin and R. Moshe Eliezer Dan Ralbag, heads of Yeshivas Etz Chaim. A complete and important set of the earliest Jerusalem editions, among the foundational works of 19th-century Eretz Yisrael scholarship. Volume I: [8], 70, [7], 156, 52, [3] leaves. Volume II: [8], 247, [1] leaves. Volume I: front and back covers detached; several final leaves detached from the spine; spine covering missing. Volume II: the volume is split into two parts due to separation at the spine between leaves 110–111; spine covering missing. Aside from these defects—detached bindings and leaves in volume I and splitting in volume II—the general condition is good, with well-preserved and clean pages.