The Holy Book 'Reishit Chochma' with the Handwritten Signature of Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzisk

The Holy Book 'Reishit Chochma' with the Handwritten Signature of Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzisk

The book Reishit Chochma by Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas, a student of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero. The Amsterdam edition, 1737. The personal copy of Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzinsk with his handwritten signature on the title page. 

Specifications: [1] 5, 334 leaves. 19 cm. The leaf after the title page is missing. 

Unique Features: On the book's title page is the handwritten signature of Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzinsk, and his stamp at the end. 

Background: Rabbi Elimelech of Grodzinsk (1824-1892), son of Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Mogielnica, grandson of the Maggid of Kozhnitz. He was one of the great righteous men of his generation and Admor to thousands of followers. He learned from the Saba Kadisha of Radoshitz, Rabbi Natan David of Shidlowce, and was also influenced by Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. In 1848 he settled in Grodzisk and became one of the leaders of the generation. 

The great books Imrei Elimelech on the Torah and Divrei Elimelech on the Torah and festivals were printed from his teachings. The books are replete with love of the Jewish people and written in the style of his grandfather, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. His son was the Rebbe Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman of Piazecna. [Encyclopedia L'Chassidut pages 244-245].

This holy book of mussar was revered by the great Chassidic leaders. The chassidic masters greatly praised the book's holiness and instructed that it be studied daily, refer to Reishit Chochma HaShalem, Mahadurat Yerushalayim 2000, in the foreword, chapter 4. 

Condition: Moderate. The bottom half of the title page is missing, and there is a tear on the last leaf. Aging stains. Simple binding.