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Sefer Hasidim with the signature and handwritten notes of R. Hayyim ben Moses Sitehon (Sutton; 1871-1916). He was born in Safed and learned in both Ashkenaz and Sephardic yeshivot. He father died when R. Sitehon was fifteen, at which time he was already considered among the scholars of Safed. In 1902 he was appointed Rav in Safed, but because the responsibilities of the position interfered with his learning he resigned the position. His life was one of considerable difficulty. Erez Hayyim was universally praised and accepted by all the rabbis of Erez Israel as an authoritative work on the laws and customs applicable in Erez Izrael.
Erez Hayyim is a work on the customs and laws applicable to Erez Israel. The title page states that it includes matters dealing with Erez Israel in halakhah, customs, and the ordinances of early and later sages, the mighty and pious of Erez Israel. Approbations are from R. Jacob Saul Elyashar (Sephardi chief rabbi of Erez Israel (Rishon le-Zion, 1817–1906), R. Isaac Moses Abulafia (1824-1910) of Damascus, R. Jacob David ben Ze’ev Willowski of Safed (Ridbaz, 1845–1913), R. Hayyim Berlin (1832-1912), R. Elijah Hazzan, and R. Habib Hayyim David Sitehon. Next is a section on Kibod Av, followed by the author’s introduction, kuntres kellalim, and the text, which follows the order of the Shulhan Arukh. Erez Hayyim highlights the customs of Safed and the differences between the customs of Erez Israel and the diaspora. The title page is dated “magnify the Torah יגדיל תורה (668=1908)” (Isaiah 42:21). |
