Tractate Avot, with commentaries by Rashi and the Vilna Gaon; Avot DeRabbi Natan, and the minor tractates: Sofrim, Semachot, Kallah, Derech Eretz Rabbah, Derech Eretz Zuta and Perek HaShalom, corrected according to the text of the Vilna Gaon. Shklow, [1804]. First edition.
The book was brought to press by the sons of the Vilna Gaon, R. Yehudah Leib and R. Avraham, and compiled by his disciple, the kabbalist R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow. The book begins with an important foreword by R. Menachem Mendel, in which he relays several extraordinary points that he heard from his teacher, the Vilna Gaon.
Leaves 3-24: Tractate Avot, the Mishnah occupying the center of the pages, with the commentaries of Rashi and the Vilna Gaon on each side. Leaves 25-50: Tractate Avot DeRabbi Natan, based on the text and corrections of the Vilna Gaon. The center of the page is occupied by the text corrected by the Vilna Gaon, with the old, unedited version printed on the side. Leaves 51-82: Minor Tractates in the same format, the corrected text occupying the center of the page, with the old version on the side.
Signature of "Yissachar Ber of Vilna" on the title page – possibly R. Yissachar Ber, posek in Vilna, disciple of the Vilna Gaon, author of Maaseh Rav.
R. Yissachar Ber (1779-1855), son of R. Tanchum, Rabbi of Orla. He studied in the Kloiz of the Vilna Gaon, where he learned Torah under him. He was appointed posek in Vilna in 1817 alongside R. Avraham Abele Posweller, R. Shaul Katzenellenbogen and the Chayei Adam, and was eventually recognized as foremost posek in the city. He is particularly renowned for his book Maaseh Rav, in which he records the practices of his teacher the Vilna Gaon. His son R. Eliyahu Peretz (1806-1867) succeeded him as posek in Vilna.
78, 81-82 leaves. Missing leaves 79-80. 21.5 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming to title page and additional leaves, affecting text. Small open tears to several leaves, and tears affecting text to last leaf. Stamps. Old binding, with damage and a tear to the spine.
PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.
