Sefer Tzurat Ha'aretz – The Land and Its Borders, and the Blueprint of the Holy Temple, verses from the books of Melachim and Yecheskel dealing with the blueprint of the Beit HaMikdash, with commentary of Rashi and the Vilna Ga'on. Shklov, 1802.
On the title-page as well as in other places in the book, there appears the signatures of the Ben Ish Chai's grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Moshe Abdal, and the signature of his son, Eliyahu ben… Rabbi Moshe Chaim---.
Rabbi Moshe Chaim ben R' Chaim ben R' Moshe Abdalla (1756-1837) was a rabbi and teacher in Baghdad, leading Iraqi rabbi of his generation, and teacher of Rabbi Abdalla Somech. He gave his approbation to only one book, "Pe'at HaShulchan", written by Rabbi Yisrael MiShklov, disciple of the Vilna Ga'on. (It is interesting to note the connection between Rabbi Moshe Chaim of Baghdad and the teachings of the Vilna Ga'on and his disciples. The connection is evident from the warm approbation he wrote for the Vilna Ga'on's disciple, as well as by the fact that he learned the Vilna Ga'on's book Torat HaBayit – as this copy testifies.)
His son and successor, Rabbi Eliyhau Chaim (1803-1853) was a brilliant scholar and kabbalist. After his father's passing, he took his place in preaching, as earned renown as a sought-after preacher. He oversaw most of the community's matters. When he died, the Baghdad community mourned and eulogized him for seven days. When his son, Rabbi Yosef Chaim, rose to eulogize him on the seventh day, the community recognized his abilities and gave him his father's position to fill, a position which he continued to hold for approximately 50 years.
42, 39-40 leaves. (The leaf with the map is missing, and only part of its title remains). Blue-green paper, wide margins. Good-fair condition, oil stains; the edges of the wide margins are chipped. Unoriginal cardboard and leather binding, worn and pasted.
Enclosed is an expert's verification of the signatures.