Bidspirit auction | Segulah Book: Siddur Rabbi Yaakov

Segulah Book: Siddur Rabbi Yaakov Emden (Ya’avetz). Two Parts. Altona, 1745-1747. First Edition Printed in the Author’s Home. Sefer Yesod. - This is a first edition of the Prayer Book referred to as ‘Siddur Reb Yaakov Emden’. (known as ‘Siddur Beit Yaakov’) include laws and commentaries of the Ya’avetz according to Kabbalah. Part 1: Amudei Shamayim – Prayers for weekday and Shabbat. Part 2: Sha’arei Shamayim – Holiday Prayers. Two complete parts in one volume. Great Torah luminaries extolled the holiness and greatness of these Prayer Books, including the Chatam Sofer! The first edition is famed for its Segulah effects. Righteous sages declared that prayers from this Siddur will not remain unfilled! Although the Prayer Book is in Nusach Ashkenaz it was especially embraced by the Chassidic communities. It was reprinted in a number of editions, some featuring Nusach Sephard along with great Chassidic leaders’ endorsements. Already two hundred years ago, the first edition copy was much sought after and rare. Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl mentions this in his approbation to the second edition, printed in Koritz, 1818. He relates that the words of the Ya’avetz are so cherished not one Prayer Book is left in the city. This copy is in unusually good condition. Whereas most of the Prayer Books were worn from frequent use, both parts of this copy likely were lightly used, hence their optimal state. Rabbi Yaakov Emden (1697-1776) was known as the Ya’avetz, an acronym of his name, Yaakov ben Zvi. He was a leading Torah scholar, described by the Chatam Sofer as ‘Gadol HaAcharonim’. The Admor of Vizhnitz, the Yeshuos Moshe, similarly lauds the exceptional attributes of this Prayer Book, in his endorsement of the Eshkol edition of the Siddur Ya’avetz. Altona, 1745-1747. First edition, printed in the home of the author. Segulah Book. Part 1: [2], 2-356, 354-385, 389-415, 417-418 leaves. Part 2: [1], 2-159 leaves. 16.5 cm. Very good condition. On leaf 1 and the 5 final leaves slight tears on the inner margins or lightly taped in that area. Some leaves are trimmed on the outer margins, every so slightly affecting the text. Classic Altona-style brown paper. Impressive, antique, leather binding with gilt decorations and clasp remnants. Ginzei Yisrael, No.214. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 415. Rare Segulah Book, First Printed in the Author’s Home