Lot 162
Kli Chemda – Prague, 1610 – Copy of Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter of Gur – With his Signature / Stamps of Rabbi Nachum Duber Freidman of Sadigura
Kli Chemda, explanations on Midrash Raba on the Torah, according to the order of the weekly portions, by Rabbi Shmuel Laniado of Aleppo. Prague, 1610. Printed by Gershon ben Bezalel Katz.
The author, Rabbi Shmuel Laniado (1630-1705; L'Kdoshim Asher Ba'Aretz, Siman 275), a Safed sage, head of the Jewish Allepo community in Syria. He was sent there by his teacher, Rabbi Yosef Karo author of the Shulchan Aruch. Called Ba'al HaKelim named after his work: Kli Chemda, Kli Paz, Kli Golah and Kli Yakar.
On the title page is the signature "Yitzchak Meir" – the signature of Rebbe Yitzchak Meir Alter, author of "Chidushei HaRim" (1799-1866), Encyclopedia L'Chassidut Vol. 2, pp. 413-423). Established Gur Chassidism, a major Torah scholar and Chassid in his times and prominent leader of Polish Jewry. He was born following the blessing of the Magid of Kozienice (who said, "he will light the world with Torah"), was raised in the Magid's home and became his very close disciple. At the age of 13, he moved to his father-in-law's home in Warsaw and learned by the Maharel Tzinz. His Torah scholarship earned him the title throughout Poland as the Illui of Warsaw. After the death of the Magid of Kozienice, he moved to the court of Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Pashischa and became one of his primary disciples. After the death of Rabbi Simcha Bunim, a number of Chassidim wanted to appoint him successor, but Rabbi Yitzchak Meir submitted himself to the will of his friend Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk and he influenced the Chassidim to follow the Rebbe of Kotzk. He later became the foremost follower of the Kotzk group and even became the brother-in-law of the Rebbe of Kotsk when he married his wife's sister. In 1859, when the Rebbe of Kotzk died, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir was appointed his successor, moved to the adjacent city of Gur (Góra Kalwaria), there he reinforced the Chassidut, and served in the city rabbinate. During the seven years of his leadership, his court grew and thousands became his Chassidim. Besides his exceptional piousness, he was known to be one of the most outstanding Torah geniuses of his generation and he wrote many responsa on Halacha and aggada (called Chidushei HaRim [=Rabbi Yitzchak Meir]). His books were highly praised in Batei Midrash and they reveal his sharpness and exceptional genius. He was friendly with all the tzaddikim and leaders of his times, including Mitnagdim. Among them were Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzin, Rabbi Yitzchak of Warka, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Rabbi Ya'akov of Lissa (Leszno), author of the Netivot, Rabbi Isel Charif, Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, etc. He led Polish Jewry and acted firmly on many public issues. Among other activities, he publicly supported the Polish revolution in 1839, and was forced to flee to Lvov (which was at the time under Austrian government) after the revolution failed. He was also known for his courageous struggle against the "Dress Decree" in 1846-1851. Following his instructions to resist the decree, he was imprisoned but extensive public protest forced the government to release him and to cancel the decree. After his death, Rebbe Chanoch Henach HaCohen from Alexander succeeded him for a short while and when he died four years later, his grandson Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, author of the Sfat Emet was appointed the second rebbe of the Gur dynasty.
On the title page are stamps of Rebbe Nachum Duber Freidman of Sadigura (died in 1883, Otzar HaRabbanim 15912). One stamp has his name with an emblem of a lion in the center, and another stamp "Minchat Shai", which he used to stamp on books that he received as gifts from his Chassidim and friends. We do not know of any direct contact he had with the Chiddushei HaRim and cannot explain how the book evolved from his library to the famous library of Rabbi Nachum Duber of Sadigura.
At the top of the title page is an ancient signature: "Yechiel ben the Gaon Rabbi Eliezer [Shatz? Of Ka--]". At the top of Leaf 150 is a handwritten gloss.
(Mispagination) 132, 135-140, [6], 145-160, [13], 168-236, 235-168, [8] leaves. 30 cm. Good-fair condition. Dark-colored leaves. Spotting and wear. Coarse tears to title page and several leaves, with restorations. Worm damage to several leaves. New binding.
