Auction 96 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts
Sefat Emet on the Torah (Ger) – First Edition – Five-Volume Set – Piotrków-Cracow, 1905-1908 – Partially Gilt Title Pages – Additional Copy of Fourth Volume – Warsaw, Ca. 1925
Sefat Emet on the Five Books of the Torah, by Rebbe Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger. Piotrków-Cracow: Shlomo Belchatowski and Shaul Chananiah Deutscher, 1905-1908. First edition. Complete set, five parts in five volumes, and additional copy of Part IV from a later edition. Divisional title pages. Title pages of Parts II, III and IV (both editions) and some words on title page of Part I printed in gilt ink.
The author, Rebbe Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger (Góra Kalwaria; 1847-1905, Encyclopedia LaChassidut, II, pp. 8-16), second Gerrer Rebbe, an outstanding Chassidic rebbe and Jewish leader in his times. Under his leadership, the Ger Chassidut became the largest and most influential Chassidic dynasty in Poland. He is widely known by the name of his books – the Sefat Emet series on the Torah, the Talmud and other topics.
The Sefat Emet on the Torah is renowned for its depth and originality and has become a classic Chassidic commentary on the Torah. Possibly, it is the most popular Chassidic book accepted in all Jewish circles, including non-Chassidic communities such as the Lithuanian yeshiva circles and others. The name Sefat Emet was chosen from a verse he cited from Mishlei in his last discourse, a few weeks before his passing.
Six volumes. Bereshit: [3], 5-283, [1] pages. Shemot: 239, [1] pages. Vayikra: 213, [1] pages. Bamidbar: [2], 202 pages. Devarim: [2], 240, [1] pages. 24.5-26 cm. Dry, brittle paper in fifth volume. Varying condition of volumes, good-fair to fair. Stains, including dampstains, and several leaves with many stains. Tears, including open tears, including to title pages, slightly affecting text of several leaves. Worming. Signatures and inscriptions on volume I and III. Stamps on volume IV. New leather bindings (uniform).
Additional copy of Part IV, Warsaw edition:
• Sefat Emet, Part IV, on the Book of Bamidbar. Warsaw: Yitzchak Meir Alter, [ca. 1925]. Title page with gilt ink.
[1], 202 pages. 25.5 cm. Dry, brittle paper. Fair-good condition. Stains. Tears and open tears to title page, affecting text, repaired with tape. Light worming. New leather binding.