Bidspirit auction | Chafetz Chaim, Vilna, 1873. First

Chafetz Chaim, Vilna, 1873. First Edition. An attractive copy. With an annotation in the holy handwriting of the author! - The laws of guarding the tongue, ”regarding the laws of the prohibitions of loshon hara (slander) and rechilus (gossip), according to the halakha derived from the Talmud and the Poskim.” Vilna, printed by Hillel Dvoretz, 1873. First edition. This is the first book of Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaCohen of Radin, may his memory be a blessing. In his first books, Chafetz Chaim and Shmirat HaLashon, in his great humility, he concealed the fact that he was the author. His name is not mentioned on the title pages, nor is it mentioned in the rabbinic approbations or the introduction. Rabbi Aryeh Leib HaCohen, the author's son, wrote in his memoirs that initially, his father did not reveal he had written Chafetz Chaim. Although he traveled to gather subscribers and sell the books, ”he did not say that he was the author; however, in order not to utter a falsehood, he said that he was the publisher. However, as the years passed, it became known to all, and he no longer felt the need to conceal it” (Mikhtvei HaRav Chafetz Chaim zatzal – his life story, his ways, his reasoning, and his conversations, p. 13). His son also wrote: ”I remember that I once asked him why he did not mention his name on his books Chafetz Chaim and Shmirat HaLashon. He answered me, 'This work did not come out because of my merit, but rather because of the merit of all of Israel...'” (ibid.). A correction in the handwriting of the author, Rabbi Yisrael Meir of Radin – the Chafetz Chaim, can be found on page 23b. This correction was added in later editions. The ink of the annotation is partially faded. Stefansky Sifrei Yesod no. 209. 5, [1], 8-81 leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. High-quality white paper. Elegant leather binding.