Manuscript of the Book 'Seder Eliyahu' – A Unique Work by the Great Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim, The ...

Manuscript of the Book 'Seder Eliyahu' – A Unique Work by the Great Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim, The 'Aderet'

The manuscript of the book 'Seder Eliyahu' – a unique work by the great Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim, The 'Aderet', in which he records in his own holy handwriting the chronicles of his life and the history of his family, from the day of his birth until his appointment as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. [Jerusalem, 1902-1904]. The book has been printed twice due to its great significance.

'Our great ancestor, the Rabbi of Israel, toiled and labored and recorded with his very heart’s blood and the purity of his soul the book 'Seder Eliyahu', detailing all that transpired with him from the time of his birth until his ascension to the role of Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem alongside our master Rabbi Shmuel Salant, of blessed memory... Whoever delves into the wonderful sections of this book cannot remain indifferent to the astonishing greatness that radiates from every line... A new dimension on many aspects of serving God... allowing one to reach and taste the wondrous sweetness found in the fulfillment of Torah and mitzvot' (Introduction of the author’s grandchildren to the new edition, Jerusalem 2010).

Rabbi Avraham Bik, editor of the Mossad Harav Kook edition, writes about this work:

'The great rabbis of previous generations did not leave behind accounts of their lives... Several geniuses did record their life stories in the form of scrolls and journals [such as the 'Tosefot Yom Tov', Rabbi Yaakov Emden, and the 'Chida'], and we learn from them things we never imagined—experiences, dreams, and visions... A brilliant discovery in this literary genre is the book 'Seder Eliyahu' by the great and righteous Rabbi Eliyahu Rabinowitz-Teomim, renowned in the Torah world as 'Aderet'... These journal pages are filled with his conduct and life stories—lives of purity and spiritual elevation... The 'Aderet's' memoir has special significance also from an ideological perspective, as he was a direct continuer of the tradition of the Vilna Gaon, and one can see how many times he references and follows the teachings and customs of that great figure from Vilna' ('Seder Eliyahu', introduction, Jerusalem 1984).

At the beginning of the printed edition (Jerusalem 2010, p. 9), the editors note:

'It should be pointed out that certain passages were intentionally omitted from the book. Our rabbi, of blessed memory, wrote this book for his descendants, and therefore certain sections that were clearly intended only for his family were removed. Three dashes (- - -) indicate an omission.'

Here we present the complete original manuscript from beginning to end, without any omissions.

[103] pages, 21x17 cm. On the last page, a list of 'Aderet's' books, also in his own handwriting.

Condition: Good to very good. Age stains. Restored wormholes with professional paper completion. Elegant leather binding.

Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim – 'Aderet' (1845-1905)

Av Beit Din of Ponevezh, Mir, and Jerusalem, and one of the most renowned Torah scholars of his time. At the age of fourteen, he composed the work 'Shabbat Achim'. By the age of sixteen, he wrote about himself:

'I have reviewed the entire Talmud swiftly, and with God’s help, my memory has retained everything.'

At the age of twenty-nine, 'Aderet' was appointed as the Rabbi of Ponevezh. After also serving as the Rabbi of Mir, he was called upon by Rabbi Shmuel Salant to serve as his successor as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem.

'In 1899, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, convened the sages of the city and requested that they find a suitable successor for him... Upon the recommendation of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, 'Aderet' was appointed as the Rabbi of Jerusalem... On the 26th of Adar 1901, 'Aderet' arrived to assume the role of Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Near Shaarei Tzedek Hospital, the elderly Rabbi Shmuel Salant awaited him and proclaimed that he was transferring to him the crown of the rabbinate. 'Aderet' declined the official appointment, choosing instead to serve alongside Rabbi Salant rather than in his place' ('Encyclopedia Da'at').

His son-in-law, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, wrote about him:

'One of the most wondrous visions capable of elevating the soul of the beholder in our days was the life of this man, set apart from the people, our master and teacher, the great and righteous Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim... He always radiated an aura of spiritual grandeur, holiness, and splendor upon those around him... He was full of Torah and fear of Heaven, extraordinary virtues, and astonishing good deeds.'

'The Netziv of Volozhin once visited Ponevezh, and upon meeting 'Aderet', he blessed him with the blessing, 'Who has shared His wisdom with those who fear Him'—a blessing reserved for the rarest sages of the generation. Even the 'Chafetz Chaim', who was older than 'Aderet', sought his approbation for several of his books' ('Encyclopedia Da'at').