Meshech Chochma - Riga, 1927 - First Edition

Meshech Chochma - Riga, 1927 - First Edition
Meshech Chochma, on the Torah, by R. Meir Simcha Kohen of Dvinsk. Riga: Eli Levine, 1927. "Brought to print and published under the supervision of… R. Menachem Mendel Dov Ber Zak, rabbi of Riga". First edition of the book, published by the rabbi of Riga, who received the manuscript from the author for publishing, before he passed away in Riga on 4th Elul 1926.
The author, R. Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), outstanding Torah scholar and Tzaddik, a leader of the generation and leader of Eastern European Jewry prior to the Holocaust. He served for forty years as rabbi of Dvinsk (Daugavpils, Latvia), alongside R. Yosef Rosen - the Rogatchover (who led the Chassidic community in the city). During his tenure in Dvinsk, he began publishing his work Or Same'ach on the Rambam. Three parts were published in his lifetime, the last part was published in Riga by R. Menachem Mendel Zak, rabbi of Riga, who also arranged his book Meshech Chochma on the Torah for print. The book was accepted throughout the Jewish world and became one of the most prominent works of Torah commentary. Reputedly, the Meshech Chochma foretold at the end of Parashat Bechukotai the impending destruction of European Jewry.
Two trimmed glosses in Ashkenazic script.
434 pages. 24.5 cm. Slightly brittle paper. Good condition. Blue ink stains to approx. eight leaves. Two small tears to title page, one marginal (repaired) and one in center, not affecting text. Edge of one leaf cut inaccurately, not affecting text. New binding.
Stefansky Classics, no. 30.