Lot 130
Derech HaMelech - Copy of Rebbe Avraham Eiger of Lublin, Author of Shevet M'Yehuda
Derech HaMelech, on the Rambam, Part 1: Mada, Ahavah, Zemanim, by R. Dov Berish HaCohen Rappaport, Rabbi of Rawa-Ruska. Lemberg, 1891. First edition. Title on leaves: "Derech [Hebrew acronym: R. Dov Cohen] HaMelech".
The title page bears a penciled signature [by the author?]: "Doberish Cohen Rappaport here in the Rawa community". On the endpapers are various inscriptions, in a handwriting from the time of printing, including the inscription that the book "Derech HaMelech belongs to our teacher R. Avraham Eiger of Lublin…".
R. Avraham Eiger of Lublin (1846-1914), son of Rebbe Yehuda Leib Eiger, predecessor of the Lublin dynasty (son of R. Shlomo Eiger and grandson of R. Akiva Eiger), received a Chassidic upbringing from his father and from Rebbe Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica. In 1888, he was appointed successor of his father as Rebbe in Lublin. Initially, he refused the appointment claiming that his father's close disciple R. Tzaddok HaCohen precedes him for this position. However, he succumbed to pressure and agreed to serve as Rebbe of his father's small Beit Midrash. In 1913, the Chassidim constructed a new magnificent Beit Midrash. He was a holy person who often fasted and lived an ascetic life. He was humble and self-effacing. He requested that his Chassidim call him only "the Lubliner" without adding the title Rabbi. His testament was typical of his nature - he requested that he should not be accorded honor after his death and that his funeral should not be large. He asked not to write titles on his tombstone and not to leave "kvitlach" (notes) on his grave. His request for a small funeral was not fulfilled as hundreds of thousands participated in his funeral and all Jewish shops in Lublin were closed during the funeral. He was buried next to his father and his tombstone was arranged so no notes could be places upon it. His book Shevet M'Yehuda on the Torah was printed after his death. His sons, R. Shlomo and R. Azriel Meir succeeded him as Rebbes in Lublin. His famous son-in-law was R. Shaul Yedidya Elazar Taub of Modzitz.
[3], 2-126, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Brittle paper. Fair-poor condition. Tears to title page, wear and stains. Worming. Minor damages to text on the corners of the last leaves. Worn, damaged binding.
