Lot 373
Manuscript, Foreword of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin to the Commentary of the Gaon of Vilna on Safra DeTzniyuta - Ca. 1820
Manuscript, copying of the foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin to the book of the Gaon of Vilna on Safra DeTzniyuta. Neat script, with headings and emphasized words in calligraphic script. [Lithuania, ca. 1820].
This copying was presumably produced in the lifetime of R. Chaim of Volozhin (1749-1821), who authored this foreword in 1820, in preparation for the printing of the book Safra DeTzniyuta (Vilna, 1821), and he is mentioned here with the blessing for the living.
The foreword of R. Chaim of Volozhin, foremost disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, is an important composition in its own right, depicting the extraordinary ways of his preeminent teacher, his exceptional Torah knowledge, and great righteousness. R. Chaim of Volozhin describes at length the erudition of the Gaon of Vilna in both revealed and hidden realms of the Torah, and offers a wondrous portrayal of his exalted holiness, providing first hand testimonies of teachings he heard from the Gaon, or episodes he witnessed. R. Chaim relates that the Gaon of Vilna himself testified that he had received revelations from Eliyahu HaNavi, and that R. Shimon bar Yochai and the Arizal appeared to him while he was studying the Zohar. The Gaon also revealed to him that Heavenly maggidim appeared to him to teach him Kabbalah, but the Gaon rejected them, wishing to exert himself over understanding the words of the Zohar and the Arizal.
The main objective of R. Chaim in publishing this foreword was to publicize the opinion of the Gaon and his views on the importance of studying the Zohar and the teachings of the Arizal. At the beginning of the foreword, he writes of G-d's promise to the Jewish people that the Torah will not be forgotten, stating that this promise was fulfilled with the coming of the Gaon of Vilna to the world. He concludes by attesting that his entire body shakes in fear and awe of his teacher "when I contemplate the holiness of his Torah, his piety, purity and modesty".
[5] leaves (9 written pages). Approx. 24.5 cm. High-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Wear. Small marginal defect to leaf [3]. New binding.
