Shenei Luchot HaBrit (Shelah) – First Edition – Amsterdam, 1648

Shenei Luchot HaBrit (Shelah) – First Edition – Amsterdam, 1648
Shenei Luchot HaBrit (The Holy Shelah), words of ethics and fear of G-d, Kabbalah and Halacha, by R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz; with Vavei HaAmudim by his son R. Sheftel Segal. Amsterdam: Immanuel Benveniste, 1648. First edition.
Shenei Luchot HaBrit contains many halachic novellae, Kabbalistic principles, homiletics and ethics, and incorporates all realms of the Torah. The book was received with awe throughout the Jewish world, and its teachings are quoted in the books of leading poskim and kabbalists. Many renowned Chassidic leaders were extraordinarily devoted to the study of the books of the Shelah.
The Bach – R. Yoel Sirkis, notably acclaimed the author and his works in his approbation to the Shaar HaShamayim siddur: "R. Yeshaya HaLevi… he left behind blessing in his holy compositions, and upon seeing and reading them we sensed holiness in all our limbs, and this is the sign that his works were composed for the sake of Heaven, to elevate future generations…". The Tosafot Yom Tov writes in his approbation to the siddur: "He is a holy, awe-inspiring man… no doubt he was invested with a heavenly spirit".
The book Vavei HaAmudim is printed on the final 44 leaves, with a separate title page.
Ownership inscriptions on title page: "Yisrael son of R. Shmuel Bloch", "I received it from the estate of my father, Yuspa[?] Freund --[?]".
[3], 5-421, [1]; 44 leaves. Lacking leaves 2-4. 29.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear to title page and other leaves. Tears to several leaves in the middle and to last leaves, affecting text, some repaired with paper and tape. Leaves trimmed, affecting text of last leaf. Old binding.