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Tefillas Yesharim Rare Drush by Rabbi Yaakov Emden Altona, 1775. First Edition. * A marvelous drasha delivered by the Yaabetz in Altona, on the trait of humility, and concluding with the sharp essay Chalei Kesem, containing rebuke regarding the spiritual decline of the generation. The drasha was printed in the Yaabetz’s private printing press, located in his home in Altona. It is one of the very last sefarim he printed during his lifetime. The drasha earned great acclaim among the generation's lamdanim (scholars) for its incisive brilliance, as stated on the title page. At its close (leaf 22a), the Yaabetz writes: “With this, all is clarified… not one letter is superfluous or misplaced!” The Yaabetz originally composed this drasha in his youth and first delivered it in 1731. In 1775, he delivered it again, adding to it the essay Chalei Kesem, printed at the end. In Chalei Kesem, the Yaabetz, using his trademark sharp and forceful tone, addresses the spiritual afflictions of the generation. He explains that for many years he refrained from publicly protesting these issues because he did not serve in an official rabbinic capacity and therefore was not responsible for their oversight. However, now in his old age, having been compelled to accept a communal salary, he was duty-bound to speak out. In this context, the Yaabetz repeats his famous saying: “Shelo asani אב”ד” (acronym for “Av Beis Din” and a play on the blessing “Shelo asani eved” – “Who has not made me a servant”), a phrase that reveals much about his aversion to assuming a public position. The Chida, in Shem HaGedolim under the entry for the Yaabetz, cites this brilliant expression as well. In the middle of his drasha (leaf 9b), the Yaabetz writes: “Pay heed and listen, for this matter was revealed to me 'מסוד ה, with siyata dishmaya.” Altona, 1775. First edition. Printed in the author’s home. Page Count: 28 leaves. Size: 19 cm. Condition: Generally good. A handful of words were completed by facsimile on the last two leaves. Some restorations at corners. Fine new binding. Provenance : Genazym Auction (2019) --------------------------- Rebuke of the Yaabetz Throughout his words, the Yaabetz weaves in stirring ethical rebukes concerning the spiritual state of his generation. Among his many pointed critiques, a few excerpts include: “…they spend most of their time occupied with books of frivolity, writings of desire, debauchery and heresy, newly printed every morning from the presses [newspapers]…” “They shave the corners of their heads and destroy the corners of their beards, the sanctity of Am Yisrael is removed from before them; instead of tzitzis and tefillin, they grow fringes and adorn themselves with foreign wigs…” He also addresses standards of dress among women, writing about those “who are particular that their clothing follow the latest fashion, in imitation of the gentile nations.”