Bidspirit auction | Or Pnei Moshe on the

Or Pnei Moshe on the Torah, First Edition – With the Two Rare Leaves!  By Harav HaKadosh Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Peshvorsk – Mezritch, 1810 With dozens of approbations from the renowned Gedolei HaChassidus. In most examplers of the Sefer there are only two leaves of approbations. In the present exampler there are two additional leaves of approbations in smaller type, which were added only after the printing. Regarding this edition, it is recorded in the catalog of the National Library: “A rare first edition.” The two additional leaves present in this exampler are extremely rare, and do not appear even in the copies held by the National Library. The author, Harav HaKadosh Rabbi Moshe Sofer of Peshvorsk, was among the most prominent figures of Chassidus in his generation. The Sefer is adorned with numerous approbations from leading figures of Chassidus, who greatly praise the holiness of the Sefer and its author, including: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the Chozeh of Lublin, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, and the Be’er Mayim Chaim, and others. Harav HaKadosh of Lublin writes in his approbation: “ …When I was young, I followed his guidance and drank from his faithful waters, and I knew that all his matters were only for the sake of Heaven… and he had attained a level that the Gaon, the late Moreinu HaRav Moshe Alsheich z”l, would reveal himself to him …”. Indeed, Sefer Or Pnei Moshe is built upon the teachings of Rabbeinu Moshe Alsheich, and frequently cites and explains his words. The sons of Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli write in their approbation testimony from their father: “ …We testify to what we heard from the holy mouth of our master, our father the Tzaddik… when he studied, the likeness of his form stood before me like an angel of Hashem, and when he wrote his holy Sefer, a flame would emerge from his holy written letters. All this we heard from his holy mouth…”. Likewise, Harav HaKadosh Rabbi Yaakov, Av Beis Din of Boberka, relates in his approbation what he heard from Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli: “And he testified regarding him that the honor of Hashem hovered over him, the Shechinah rested upon the work of his hands.” Harav HaKadosh Rabbi Moshe of Peshvorsk (c. 1720–1806) was renowned among the Gedolei HaChassidus as a Sofer sta”m with exceptional sanctity and purity. Leading figures of Chassidus attributed extraordinary holiness to Tefillin and Mezuzos written by him, some of which were preserved from generation to generation with special sanctity. It is told that Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk testified that he “saw King David standing beside Rabbi Moshe, and from then they became known to one another” (Encyclopedia of Chassidus, vol. 3, p. 303). In a letter from Rabbi Moshe to Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, he writes that he was paid red gold for tefillin, yet was unable to meet the demand of those who approached him. Many traditions and accounts have been preserved regarding this. [4], 240 leaves. 21 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Water stains and slight wear on several leaves. Tears to the title page, restored with paper fill. New, fine leather binding.