Bidspirit auction | Tzitzim U’Prachim The Copy that

Tzitzim U’Prachim The Copy that the Author Presented to his Father, the Ben Ish Chai * Tzitzim U’Prachim, containing short explanations by way of drush and Kabbalah, by the brilliant kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov, head of the community in Baghdad and the beloved only son of Rabbi Yosef Chaim, the Ben Ish Chai. This is an especially unique and deeply moving copy, which the author Rabbi Yaakov presented to his holy father, the Ben Ish Chai! Stamped upon the binding appear the words: “In honor of the renowned Rav, our master Rabbi Yosef Chaim, may he live.” Printed on leaf 1 is a letter of ‘hakdamah’ — a beautiful blessing and approbation from the Ben Ish Chai to his son, the author. It is the only known approbation ever issued by him! After the passing of the Ben Ish Chai, the author received the sefer back as part of his inheritance (for besides a sister, he was the only son), and he sent it as a token of affection to the righteous lady and philanthropist Mrs. Farha Sassoon, who held the Ben Ish Chai in the greatest esteem. On the flyleaf he wrote a dedication signed in his own holy handwriting: “To the esteemed and distinguished lady of many accomplishments, Signora  Farha, may you be granted life and goodness,  Yaakov the son of Rabbi Yosef Chaim.” Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, author of Ben Ish Chai (1835–1909), was the greatest Sephardi sage in his time, for whom no secret was hidden. Already from his youth, he was recognized as a genius and holy man. His remarkable drashos, delivered in front of enormous crowds, would at times last four or five hours. He authored many sefarim on every facet of Torah: Rav Brachos, Ben Ish Chai, Rav Pe’alim, Ben Yehoyada, Mekbetziel, and more. Rabbi Yaakov, son of Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1854–1921) , was a renowned gaon in both the revealed and hidden Torah, a chassid and kabbalist, and beloved by all. After the passing of his great father, he took his place delivering the regular drashos and was regarded as the leading sage of Baghdad. He was a chavrusah of the kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Fataya, who quotes him on matters of Kabbalah. Each night he slept only two to three hours, rising early to the service of his Creator. His letters comprise the present sefer Tzitzim U’Prachim, as well as many additional letters addressed to Mrs. Farha Sassoon that were printed in various works. See Rabbi Yaakov’s expanded biography in the wonderful sefer Kadosh Yaakov. Jerusalem 1904. First edition. Page Count: [1], 100 leaves. Size: 22.1 cm. Condition: Good; Original binding with the dedication to the Ben Ish Chai. Leather spine. Minor defects. Provenance:  A – Library of the Ben Ish Chai  B – His son, Rabbi Yaakov, heir  C – Collection of Mrs. Farha Sassoon _____________ The Bond Between the Ben Ish Chai, his Son Rabbi Yaakov, and Mrs. Farha Sassoon Between Mrs. Farha Sassoon and the Ben Ish Chai, and later Rabbi Yaakov, there existed a warm, unique, and exceptional relationship spanning nearly forty years. The Ben Ish Chai sent her many dozens of letters (!), and dozens more were written to her by his son Rabbi Yaakov, with great affection and sincere interest in her welfare. The Ben Ish Chai even composed a special riddle on the name “Farha, ” and published it in his sefer Imrei Bina, and in his letters to her he made sure she had indeed solved it…  He also made for her a special amulet in the form of a golden Magen David (see Chapters in the history of the Jews of Bavel, vol. 2, pp. 419–422) It should be noted that Mrs. Sassoon no doubt studied from this very sefer, for she was an extremely learned woman, a talmida chachama. In one of the Ben Ish Chai’s letters to her, he relates that he heard she went to a drasha in the beis medrash with a Gemara in her hand, so that she could understand the sugya the darshan would discuss! She sent Rabbi Yaakov many dozens of halachic questions on various topics, and her mastery of the writings of the poskim is clearly evident.