Bidspirit auction | Sefer Shnei Luchos HaBris, the

Sefer Shnei Luchos HaBris, the Shelah HaKadosh, Amsterdam, 1698. Segulah Edition from the Year of the Birth of the Baal Shem Tov. Sefer Shnei Luchos HaBris, by Rabbi Yeshayah HaLevi Horowitz of Frankfurt, the Shelah HaKadosh. Early and splendid edition. Printed by Emanuel Ben Yosef Athias, 1698. [4], 422, 44; [12] leaves. With the Sefer Vavei HaAmudim by the author’s son, Rabbi Shabsai Sheftel Horowitz, and with the indexes to Sefer Toldos Adam. Before the title page is a preliminary title with a copper engraving (by Avraham Ben Yaakov, the Ger, who also illustrated the Haggadah, Amsterdam edition, 1695). With an additional title page for Vavei HaAmudim. Sefer 'Shnei Luchos HaBris' is among the foundational treasures of Knesses Yisrael, containing numerous Chiddushim in Halacha, foundations of Toras HaNistar, Derush and Musar, and encompassing all parts of the Torah. The Sefer was received with reverence throughout the Jewish world, and its words are cited in the Sefarim of the greatest Poskim and Mekubalim. Many of the renowned Gedolei Chassidus were deeply attached to the study of the Sefarim of the Shelah with heart and soul. Well known are the words of Rabbi Yoel Sirkis—the Bach—in his approbation to the Siddur Sha’ar HaShamayim, where he wrote regarding the sanctity of the author and his works: “The Gaon, Reb Yeshayah HaLevi zt”l… left behind a blessing in his holy compositions, and when we saw and read them we felt the influence of holiness from the highest heights in all our limbs, and this is the sign that his compositions are joined for the sake of Heaven to rectify the generations that follow him…”. The author of 'Tosafos Yom Tov' writes in his approbation to the Siddur: “A holy and awe-inspiring man… in whom certainly a spirit from Above sparkled, which was bestowed upon him from Heaven.” The Holy Raya”tz of Lubavitch, in letter no. 253, records a remarkable tradition regarding the present edition: “The Sefer of the Shelah HaKadosh… in the year 1698 was printed again with great splendor, and this was a sign that the revelation of the holy Sefer brought pleasure Above, and in that same year was born the light of all Israel, Rabeinu the Baal Shem Tov. It was a familiar expression of the holy mouth Moreinu the Baal Shem Tov that he was born in the year in which the Shelah HaKadosh was printed, to illuminate the world with the light of Hashem—Torah and fear of Heaven in the service of the heart. The disciples of the Baal Shem Tov would say: great was the merit and righteousness that it was printed with great splendor and accepted throughout all the Jewish world, and that it merited to be printed in the year in which Moreinu the Baal Shem Tov was born.” Signatures on the title page: 'הירץ אורשיל'. Additional signatures and ownership inscriptions, with the stamps of Rabbi Shalom Rosenthal, Rav of Chevras Shas and head of the Yeshiva of the community of Oradea. With a few handwritten notes. New half-leather binding with gilt lettering; several leaves restored; several tears and repairs; stains. Good condition.