Bidspirit auction | Meshech Chochmah. Riga, 1927. First

Meshech Chochmah. Riga, 1927. First and rare edition. - Meshech Chochmah — explanations, straightforward interpretations, ideas, homilies, and novellae on the Torah by the renowned Gaon Rabbi Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk, author of Ohr Sameach. Riga, 1927. First edition of this important Torah work, authored in the later generations. In Parashat Bechukotai [p. 123], the author wrote terrifying words regarding German Jewry, almost prophetic in foresight: “The Jew in general will forget his origin and will consider himself a flourishing citizen, abandoning the study of his faith to learn foreign languages… He will think that Berlin is Jerusalem… then a stormy wind will come, uproot him from his root, and deliver him to a nation far away whose tongue he will not understand…” The author, Rabbi Meir Simcha HaKohen [1843–1926], the renowned rabbi of Dvinsk, served alongside his colleague and friend Rabbi Yosef Rosen, the Rogatchover, who was rabbi of the Chassidic community in the city. Rabbi Meir Simcha was among the greatest rabbis of his era. He published during his lifetime his work Ohr Sameach, and shortly before his passing entrusted the manuscript of the present work to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zak, rabbi of Riga, for publication. Indeed, the rabbi of Riga had it printed a few months after the author’s passing. Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 30. 434 pages. 25.5 cm. Bound in two bindings. At the end of the second volume is bound: Imrei Rashad, Part II. Warsaw, 1912. Condition: Good–very good. Minor blemishes to the first title page.