Bidspirit auction | Impressive! The Holy Sefer Reishis

Impressive! The Holy Sefer Reishis Chochmah Cracow, 1593 * A foundational work of mussar outlining the path to sanctity and repentance by the saintly kabbalist Rabbi Eliyahu di Vidash, disciple of the Ramak. The holy sefer Reishis Chochmah is regarded as “the foremost of all sefarim of mussar and yirah” in the words of the saintly Rabbi Elazar Rokeach of Amsterdam, and has been embraced across the Jewish world since it first appeared in print. Gedolei Yisrael and tzaddikim emphasized the importance of studying daily the sefer Reishis Chochmah, declaring: “Fortunate is the one who learns from it every day and establishes a regular study session in it, as a spark of sanctity and purity will surely shine in him.” (Shem HaGedolim, entry: Reishis Chochmah). Similarly, the Admor Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg wrote in the name of his spiritual master the Maggid of Mezritch: “Be sure to learn from sifrei mussar every day, and especially the holy sefer Reishis Chochmah, from which you should not stray” (Toras Hamaggid, p. 1). This edition is the first to have been printed in Ashkenazic lands! The first edition of the sefer appeared in Venice in 1579. Subsequently, in 1593, two new editions were printed - one again in Venice, and one in Cracow (the edition before us). From that point onward, the sefer and its abridgements were published in over one hundred editions! An impressive copy! A thick volume, containing 460 leaves (!), bound in an early leather binding with attractive engraved ornaments, dating approximately to the 17th century (lightly restored). It is extremely rare to find a copy of the Cracow edition, especially in complete form. Cracow, 1593–1594 . Printed by Yitzchak Prostitz. Page Count: [10], 418, [32] leaves. Size: 20 cm. Condition: Overall good condition, with small paper restorations on the title page (slight damage to border) and on a few additional leaves. A few holes and minor tears; stains. Two leaves bound out of order. On the title page are various inscriptions and signatures, some very early (partially faded and worn). Approximately ten handwritten corrections in Ashkenazic script appear throughout the volume. A beautiful inscription appears at the end of the sefer: “With this sefer I have studied to subdue my evil inclination and to break my heart, that the fear of Hashem be upon my face that I shall not sin, and that I be one who turns from evil and does good. And may Hashem grant me a pure heart to understand and comprehend.” – – – – – – – – – – Iggeres HaRamban was initially printed in Sefer Reishis Chochmah The world-famous Iggeres HaRamban first appeared in print in Reishis Chochmah, Shaar Ha’Anavah Ch. 6 (leaves 354b-355a). Iggeres HaRamban is a famous letter replete with mussar and inspiration that the Ramban sent from the city of Acco to his son Rabbi Nachman in Catalonia, Spain. The letter focuses primarily on the supreme attribute of humility, which is why the author of Reishis Chochmah included it in his unit on humility in his landmark mussar sefer. Rabbi Shlomo Algazi writes in his sefer Me'ulefes Sappirim (Constantinople, 1660): “He informed his son that on the day he reads this letter, the heavens will answer all that he requests. Those who recite it regularly will surely be spared from all trials and are guaranteed to enter Olam Haba.” The Chida writes in Shem HaGedolim in his chapter on Rabbi Nachman son of the Ramban that mussar giants exhort people to read this letter occasionally.