The Book ‘Halacha Acharona’ with Booklet ‘HaRa’ayot’ and the Book ‘HaPardes’. Königsberg, 1759-1762. First Edition.

The Book ‘Halacha Acharona’ with Booklet ‘HaRa’ayot’ and the Book ‘HaPardes’. Königsberg, 1759-1762. First Edition.

The Book ‘Halacha Acharona’ with Booklet ‘HaRa’ayot’ and the Book ‘HaPardes’, authored by the ‘Ner Yisrael’, ‘Aryeh Debei Iloy’ – the Great Lion - (accolade of the Vilna Gaon) Rabbi Aryeh Leib Epstein.

The book focuses on a range of topics including the laws and meanings of the 613 commandments, novel Halachic responses, homilies and eulogies delivered by Rabbi Aryeh Leib (during the years 1729-1733). The book includes lengthy responsa on the laws of the recital of Shema, Tikkun Chatzot, Chochmat HaTechuna and Rabbinical commandments.

The book features an approbation by Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschitz as well from as other Rabbis.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib HaLevi Epstein (1708-1775).

Rabbi Epstein was an 18th Century Torah sage and Kabbalist. He was referred to as ‘Ba’al HaPardes’ after the name of a book he authored. He served as the Rabbi of Königsberg for 30 years.

Rabbi Epstein authored 23 books, 10 of which were published during his lifetime. He was one of only two authors who merited to have the Gra’s approbation printed in their books.

Rabbi Epstein was one of the greatest Rabbis of his era. He was closely connected with other Torah luminaries of his time including Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Mainz and Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschitz of Prague, who held Rabbi Epstein in very high esteem.

The reverence these sages had for each other was mutual. When a controversy broke out between Rabbi Eibeschitz and Rabb Yaakov Emden, Rabbi Epstein came out in defense of Rabbi Eibeschitz. In his book ‘HaPardes’ p8 a response of Rabbi Eibeschitz is printed. In his introduction to this letter, Rabbi Epstein defends Rabbi Eibeschitz against all accusations.

The Book ‘Halacha Acharona’ and Booklet ‘HaRa’ayot’ and the Book ‘HaPardes’.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Epstein printed his compositions in individual booklets during the years 1759-1762. The printing of the two books was not done in order since the prohibitive costs of printing caused the author to stop in the middle of printing the ‘Halacha Acharona’ book. He continued with printing a few booklets

Rabbi Epstein’s compositions were not all fully published, and the booklets that he succeeded in publishing were bound together in various ways. This resulted in a number of variants of the book, with substantial differences between the copies, with varying numbers of pages appearing in different copies.

The Gra bestowed his approbation for Rabbi Epstein publishing his book, (although he does not specify which book). This approbation is printed in ‘Halacha Acharona’ and ‘HaRa’ayot’. Königsberg, 1759 (p9)

Pagination of this copy:

‘Halacha Acharona’: [1], 3, 29-42 leaves. Pagination continues from the booklet ‘Hora’ayot’, printed 1754, with 28 leaves. This copy.

‘HaPardes’: [1], 2-9, 23, 22,81-86, 127-136 leaves.

This copy is missing 28 leaves, when comparing to other copies.

Winograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, No. 989.

Königsberg (1759-1762) First edition.

Very good condition. Impressive, renewed leather binding