Bidspirit auction | Alshich HaKadosh on the Torah

Alshich HaKadosh on the Torah – Magnificent Edition in Original Wooden Bindings – Amsterdam, 1777 * A beautiful set, in splendid condition, two parts bound in original leather-covered wooden bindings. Explanations and chiddushim on Chamisha Chumshei Torah by Rabbeinu Moshe Alshich, the Alshich HaKadosh. A fine and quality printing, in the finest tradition of the Amsterdam printing press. It includes chiddushim of Rabbi Shaul, Av Beis Din of Amsterdam. To the best of Zaidy’s knowledge, these chiddushim have never been printed again. The qualities of this edition are listed on the title page:           1. References for all the sources brought by the Alshich;           2. Clear division into sections; and           3. Wonderful chiddushim from the gaon Rabbi Shaul, Av Beis              Din of Amsterdam. At the end of each volume is an ornate emblem with the Luchos HaBris, bearing the inscription “רמ”א” — Rabbi Moshe Alshich. Amsterdam, 1777. Printing press of Yaakov ben Shlomo Proops. Page Count: 5, 88; [1], 89–171; [1], 172–224 leaves; [1], 44; [1], 45–124 leaves. A fine copy, white paper, with handsome margins. -------------------------- The Alshich HaKadosh (circa 1508–1600) was described by the Noda B’Yehuda as “the leading darshan and commentator.” He received semichah from Rabbi Yosef Karo and was titled “Harav HaMusmach.” He studied Kabbalah under the Arizal and was among the teachers of Rabbi Chaim Vital. He served as a dayan in Tzfas and Rosh Yeshivah of two yeshivos, where he disseminated Torah to many talmidim and authored numerous teshuvos. The sefarim of the Alshich HaKadosh were universally accepted by Jews throughout the Diaspora, and the Arizal testified that, in his drashos, the Alshich arrived at the true intent (as the Chida wrote in his name in Shem HaGedolim). Only four sages in Eretz Yisrael merited the illustrious title “HaKadosh” – “the holy one”: The Ari HaKadosh, the Alshich HaKadosh, the Shela HaKadosh, and the Ohr Hachaim HaKadosh. Rabbi Shaul of Amsterdam (1717–1790), author of Binyan Ariel, was of distinguished lineage — he was a great-grandson of Rabbi Heschel of Cracow and a grandson of the Chacham Tzvi. In a letter to him, the Vilna Gaon wrote that he was widely renowned and deeply admired. In 1755, he became Rav of the Ashkenazic community of Amsterdam, and his influence spread throughout the region. He bore this position with distinction for some thirty-five years.