Bidspirit auction | Prayer Before Torah Study by
Prayer Before Torah Study by the “Tzaddik of Greiditz” – Jerusalem, 1869 (תרכ”ט) - A rare and early Jerusalem imprint of a special prayer to be recited before Torah study on behalf of the supporters of Torah in Eretz Yisrael, along with a prayer after learning, composed by Rabbi Eliyahu of Greiditz (Grätz) Printed in Jerusalem at the press of R. Yisrael Bak, 1869. At the top of the page: a heartfelt prayer on behalf of those who support Torah learning in the Holy Land At the bottom: a prayer for after study, attributed to ”the great and pious Torah scholar, our teacher Rabbi Eliyahu, Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva of the holy community of Greiditz” The text was printed during his lifetime, and includes references to sources in the Zohar below the main prayer Rabbi Eliyahu Guttmacher (1796–1875), known as the Tzaddik of Greiditz, was a saintly figure, mystic, and leading rabbinic authority in 19th-century Germany. A distinguished disciple of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, he served as rabbi of Pleschen and later of Greiditz, from which he became widely known. In his later years he was regarded as a miracle worker and spiritual leader, attracting thousands, including prominent figures such as the Sfat Emet of Gur, who sought his blessings. He is considered one of the precursors of religious Zionism through his support of settlement in the Land of Israel Bibliographic reference: S. Halevy, Books of Early Jerusalem no. 152 [1] printed leaf, 21 × 30 cm Condition: very good A rare and early example of devotional literature printed in Jerusalem, combining support for Torah learning in the Land of Israel with the spiritual legacy of a major 19th-century tzaddik.