Rabbi Ya'akov Emden's Siddur. First Printing. Segulah Book. Pedigree Copy

Rabbi Ya'akov Emden's Siddur. First Printing. Segulah Book. Pedigree Copy

Siddur Rabbi Ya'akov Emden, Part II - Sha'ar Shamayim. First edition. Printed at the author's home. Altona, 1747. Incomplete copy. Owner's signatures and stamps of Rabbi Feivel Schlesinger, one of the the rabbinic leaders of Hungary.

Before us is the first edition of the renowned Siddur Rabbi Ya'akov Emden (later known as Siddur Beit Ya'akov) with halachahs and Kabbalistic commentary by the Ya'avetz. The first edition before us is known to be a segulah as tzaddikim said about it that one who prays from it does not have his prayer go unfulfilled. Despite Siddur Rabbi Ya'akov Emden using the Ashkenazic text, it was especially known to be accepted in Chassidic circles and was even printed in other editions accompanied with enthusiastic approbations of leading Admo"rim. The Rebbe of Ruzhin wrote about it: "On golden foundations it is sourced, to demonstrate the proper way, pure wisdom about prayer." The Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz wrote in his approbation: "... this prayer book never left the desks of our rabbis and fathers, who used it at every opportunity, especially when arranging the Passover seder." This siddur was later printed in many editions, but the reprints contained many changes and errors, whether intentional or unintentional.

Rabbi Ya'akov Emden [1698-1776] was one of the greatest rabbis to ever lead the Jewish people. He was known by the abbreviation of his name, 'Ya'ave"tz, ' Ya'akov ben Tzvi. The Admo"r the author of Divrei Chaim of Sanz related that the Ba'al Shem Tov said of rabbi Ya'akov Emden 'The Ya'ave"tz cleaves to the upper worlds all day long.' Likewise, in the book Tzror HaChaim (Bilgoray, 1913), it is told 'The Chacham Tzvi had five sons, and regarding all of them the Ba'al Shem Tov observed that they had Divine inspiration, and one he praised very much, yet he did not specify which one; his associates said that his intent was the sanctified gaon, the Ya'ave"tz, ztz"l, zy"a.'

Rabbi Kalev Feivel Schlesinger [1828-1911] was one of the leading rabbis of Hungary. When he was a young man, he was already appointed to the Beit Din of Mór, and then as Av Beit Din of Polzin and as rosh yeshivah there. He was one of the leading disciples of the Ktav Sofer. He authored the book Torat Bar Nash. His halachic novellae were printed in Shu"t Avnei Choshen and some of his Torah novellae were also printed in his son's book Chazon Nachum.

149 leaves, (originally 159 leaves) 10 leaves are lacking at the end of the book. 15 cm. Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod, no. 415.

Fine condition: Aging stains. Worming perforations. Simple binding.