The Book of Alim LeTerufah. First Edition of the Iggeret HaGra. With Additional Leaves of Selected Text ...

The Book of Alim LeTerufah. First Edition of the Iggeret HaGra. With Additional Leaves of Selected Text Handwritten. Most Rare and Valuable Item.
From The Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection.

Alim LeTerufah, Iggeret HaRamban with Iggeret HaGra. Minsk 1836.

First (dated) edition of Iggeret HaGra. Printed by Gershon Eliyahu son of Yitzchak.

The Iggeret HaGra commences:

“This is the letter that the tremendous Torah scholar, Rabbi of the entire Diaspora, holy, G-dly man, Rabbenu Eliyahu HaChassid, wrote to his family members, guidance and ethics, while on his journey towards the Holy Land, matters which burn like a glowing fire in the hearts of those G-d-fearing".

This edition is bibliographically known as the first edition of Iggeret HaGra.

Ten handwritten leaves were bound at the end of this copy. These leaves are selections and transcriptions, including a passage from Zohar Chadash, passages from Midrash Kohelet and Midrash Eichah, and a passage from Sha’ar HaBitachon of Chovot HaLevavot. Owner’s signatures on the first leaf of the handwritten leaves: "Azriel Kohen of Jerusalem".

Size: 13.5 cm. Good condition. Slightly stained and slightly worn. Censorship stamp. New, leather binding.

Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 1139.

Yeshayahu Vinograd Collection.

Iggeret HaGra:

This is the most famous of the Gra’s letters, and is a letter of guidance and ethics that the Gra sent to his family while he was on his journey to the Holy Land. This was originally written as a private letter for the Gra’s wife and mother and not for the public. A number of years following the Gra’s passing, this Iggeret was published as an ethical guide for all, and was later published in tens of editions. This is likely the most well-known of all the Gra’s Igrot, printed internationally, and translated into many languages. The Gra’s attempt to emigrate to the Holy Land, never succeeded.