Manuscript, homilies and essays on Aggadah and ethics, by an unidentified author. [Lithuania? After 1836 - mid-19th century?].
Complete composition in Ashkenazic script. Written by various copyists, with many corrections, glosses, additions and deletions by the author. We were unable to identify the author, though it appears that he was a Torah scholar of Lithuania or Belarus, who served as Maggid and delivered sermons.
The main part of the manuscript consists of seven homilies, entitled: Netivot Olam; Derech Tamim; Maaglei Yosher; Orach Mishor; Netivot HaShalom; Derech Tzedaka; Mesilat HaLev. Each homily begins with an introduction summarizing the subject of the homily. In the middle and end of the volume, other homilies in a slightly different style were bound (they may originate from a different work by the same author). The style of the composition is clear and engaging, and it contains in-depth essays on the midrashim and Aggadot of the sages, ethics and principles in worship of G-d. The contents attest to the author's exceptional erudition in midrashim and books of Jewish thought.
In this work, the author quotes repeatedly the books of leading Lithuanian Torah scholars, such as: "Nefesh HaChaim" by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, the books of the Maggid of Dubno - Ohel Yaakov and Kol Yaakov, the book of R. Yehuda Leib Edel - Maggid of Slonim - Iyei HaYam and Afikei Yehuda (regarding this last book, the author writes one of the times he mentions it: "See Afikei Yehuda who wrote on this topic pleasing words… but he did not finish explaining… and we will follow in his footsteps a little…", p. [46b]), and the book Kapot Zahav (Vilna and Hrodna 1836). Kapot Zahav is the most recent of all the books quoted by the author (the author challenges this book repeatedly. On the first leaf of the composition, he writes: "And see in Kapot, ibid, and his ways are not like mine, nor my thoughts like his").
In several places, the author quotes the writings of his father-in-law (see Hebrew description). We were unable to identify who the father-in-law of the writer was (but it must be noted that the lengthy idea quoted in his name on p. [67] onwards, corresponds with the style and expressions of Chabad teachings).
The final sermons contain lengthy and detailed parables, taken from his surroundings, which provide us with information regarding his time and location. On p. [112b], the cities of St. Petersburg and Königsberg are mentioned as royal cities. On p. [125b], he mentions several concepts connected to commerce, indicating in parentheses the names of these notions, presumably in Lithuanian.
At the end of the volume, several leaves which are not part of the body of the book are bound, the last leaf states: "This book was written by R. David Tovia". It is unclear if this refers to the author or copyist of this book, or is perhaps not connected to this composition.
To the best of our knowledge, the manuscript was never published.
[130] leaves (and several blank leaves). 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Worming to several leaves. Marginal paper repairs to first three leaves. Tear to leaf [91], repaired with paper with text replacement. Cloth binding.