Mesillat Yesharim, including all topics of ethics and fear of G-d, by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto - the Ramchal. [Amsterdam]: Naftali Hertz Rofe, [1740]. First edition, printed during the lifetime of the Ramchal by his leading disciples in Amsterdam.
Incomplete copy - four leaves from the proofreaders' introductions and the indices are missing.
Mesillat Yesharim is accepted as a refined, clear summary of all the Ramchal's other works (Derech Hashem, Daat Tevunot, 138 Pitchei Chochma, etc.), written in measured, precise language with great depth of thought. In his introduction to the book Mesillat Yesharim - im Iyunim (with study), R. Yechezkel Sarna mentions a tradition passed down in the name of the Vilna Gaon that until Chapter 11 not one unnecessary word can be found in the book [!]. R. Yerucham of Mir would tell his disciples that "Mesillat Yesharim is based on the Ramchal's more esoteric works on Kabbalah, but he simplified the concepts so as to make them more accessible to us. We imagine that we have a connection to Ramchal's words [but in reality they are deeply esoteric]" (Daat Chochma U'Mussar, 1, p. 249).
The author explains in his introduction that this work was composed to assist in the acquisition of ethical wisdom and fear of G-d, which cannot be acquired by knowledge alone. The purpose of this work is not the innovation of new concepts but rather the constant review and meditation which anchor thoughts inside a man's soul. Indeed, this book has been accepted across the worldwide Jewish population as the primary book of ethical study.
When the Vilna Gaon first received this book he proclaimed that a new light has come down to illuminate the world. Due to his great regard for the book, he paid an entire gold dinar (a high price) for it. Rabbi Y. Meltzen wrote in his introduction to Derech Hashem that he heard Torah scholars say in the name of the Vilna Gaon that if the author was still living, he would travel by foot all the way to Italy to greet him. The Vilna Gaon was accustomed to reviewing the book often.
Chassidic leaders as well understood the great qualities of the book and the holiness of its Kabbalistic author. The Maggid of Kozienice said that all the levels he reached in his youth stemmed from the book Mesillat Yesharim. The holy Rebbe of Apta, author of Ohev Yisrael, and R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov diligently studied Mesillat Yesharim in depth and had awesome and wonderful things to say about it. The Rebbe of Apta was used to saying that he received his spiritual direction and his education first and foremost from the book Mesillat Yesharim (Sefer HaChassidut, p. 146). Rebbe Nachman of Breslev was accustomed to instruct newcomers to Judaism to study Mesillat Yesharim, and the author of Bnei Yissaschar wrote in in his additions to the book Sur MeRa V’Ase Tov that "this book will quench your thirst and … its words are sweeter than honey". R. Yaakov Yosef of Ostroh writes in his approbation to the book 138 Pitchei Chochma by the Ramchal (Koritz 1785): "The book Mesillat Yesharim, the path the tzaddikim tread, written by …Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto is the Torah which Moshe presented to Israel to understand the words of our Sages and their 'riddles', by its straightforward sayings...". In his introduction to the book, the publisher quotes the words he heard from the Maggid of Mezritch that "his generation was not worthy to understand the righteousness and abstention [of the Ramchal]".
The tzaddik R. Yosef Zundel of Salant told his great disciple R. Yisrael of Salant that upon receiving a farewell blessing when leaving the Volozhin Yeshiva, he asked R. Chaim of Volozhin which mussar book to study. His teacher responded: "All mussar books are good to study, but Mesillat Yesharim should be your guide". Since its first printing in 1740, Mesillat Yesharim has been reprinted in hundreds of editions [!], and until today it remains the primary mussar book in Torah and Chassidic study halls.
[4], 61 leaves. (Incomplete copy - originally: [6], 63 leaves. Missing [2] leaves from the proofreaders' introductions, and two leaves from the indices at the end of the volume.) 15.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Worming to the text. (The book has been professionally restored with paper). The title page contains the signature: "Refael David Tevel Halevi". New handsome vellum binding.