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Commentary on the book of Proverbs with the commentary Sarigei ha-Damesek by R. Elazer ben Israel Reines of Polotsk. Sarigei ha-Damesek is compiled from the words of sages and sofrim, from the books of earlier rabbis, all intended to clarify the words of Proverbs. There is an introduction from R. Reines, who informs that he had not wanted to write this work, he is already elderly and what can he say that is new, but was urged to do so, for today in this generation children learn neither quality nor quantity and many do not even reach the subjects of gemara or midrash. The text is comprised of Proverbs in square vocalized letters across the top of the page and Sarigei ha-Damesek, a detailed and comprehensive commentary, below it in two columns in rabbinic letters.
The book of Proverbs (Sefer Mishlei), one of the three "wisdom books" of the Hagiographa, representing the affirmative and didactic element in wisdom (ḥokhmah), in contrast to the radical questioning of Job and Ecclesiastes. In its present form the book appears to have served as a manual for the moral and religious instruction of the young. Comprising materials of various kinds gleaned from the long tradition of wisdom, the book was used in schools by professional sages (cf. Eccles. 12:9–12; Ecclus. 6:23–28). The teacher's objectives and methods are outlined in Proverbs 1:2–6, namely, cultivation of the mind and training in ethical principles by the use of proverbs (mashal), epigrams (meliẓah), sayings of the sages, and riddles (ḥidah) or puzzling questions. The teacher's basic theme is summed up in the motto with which he begins and ends the introduction to the older materials – "The fear of the Lord is the beginning [or first requirement, chief part] of knowledge [wisdom]" (1:7; 9:10).
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