Manuscript, commentary of the Vilna Gaon on the Books of Shir HaShirim, Divrei HaYamim, Yonah and Eichah. [Lithuania, 18th century].

Neat scribal handwriting, with handwritten corrections.

The present manuscript was described by R. Dovid Kamenetsky (Torat HaGra, p. 360, note 39), who writes: "It appears that the manuscript was written during the Vilna Gaon's lifetime, or soon after his death".

The manuscript contains: The Vilna Gaon's commentary on Shir HaShirim (leaves 1-19), with variations from the printed edition of 1842 – moreover, the present commentary is complete, whereas the printed commentary lacks the comments on the last three verses; the Vilna Gaon's commentary to Divrei HaYamim (leaves 20-34), with variations from the printed edition (1820); the Vilna Gaon's commentary to Yonah (leaves 34-43), with variations from the printed edition (1800); the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Eichah (leaves 44-45), resembling the printed edition (in Berak HaShachar, 1863) with minor variations.

At the end of the last page: "Binyan Yechezkel…", apparently beginning a section that was never completed.

Short glosses, most of them corrections and changes of words, by several writers. Victor Klagsbald's notes to this manuscript (enclosed) state that these glosses are handwritten by the Vilna Gaon. We were unable to confirm or negate this claim.

Signature on margin of first page: "Yirmiyah Akiva of Novardok" – R. Yirmiyah Akiva (d. 1866), a member of the Vilna Kloiz, known as the "matmid of Novardok" for his outstanding diligence. His son was the author R. Bentzion Alfes.