Physical
Description |
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[4], 164; 40, 12; [1], 30; [1], 160; 24; 10, [1] ff., 220:148 mm., usual browning, wide margins. A good copy loose in the original leather boards, rubbed.
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Detailed
Description |
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Siddur of the Vilna Gaon, R. Elijah ben Solomon Zalman (Gra, 1720–1797). The importance of this siddur, establishing the nusach Ashkenaz according to the Gaon, was expressed by R. Bezalel Kohen, dayyan in Vilna, who wrote, “Without a doubt nusach Ashkenaz is also based on Kabbalah. . . . We must give thanks to HaShem that in the previous generation we merited the light of the Gaon, who knew, with ruach ha-kodesh, all of the holy secrets, which he incorporated into nusach Ashkenaz.
The title page, dated 655 (1895) states that the siddur is comprised of two parts, niglah and nistar (revealed and concealed, kabbalistic), the former being the work, Ma’aseh Rav and Likkutei ha-Gra, dinnim from the Gra. The nistar portion is the manuscript siddur of the Gra. The siddur was arranged by R. Naftali Heretz ha-Levi, rav of Jaffe and it was printed at the expense of one who wished to remain anonymous. Part one of the siddur has an introduction from R. Hertz and approbations. The accompanying lengthy and detailed commentaries are based on nigleh (that is revealed Torah), comprised of Ma’aseh Rav (on the customs of the Gaon) and Likkutei ha-Gra and according to nistar (hidden, kabbalistic), comprised of Sha’ar Naftali and Imrei Shefer. This section is comprised of Shaharit and Seder Berakhot. It is followed, with a separate title page, dated ãåã îìê éùøàì çé (663=1903) by tractate Avot, with introductory material and commentaries of the Gaon and R. Hayyim of Volozhin (1749–1821), the leading disciple of the Gaon, and concluding with Maggid Zedek by R. Pinhas of Polotsk and Iggeret ha-Gra. Next, also with its own title page, dated like Avot, is the Gaon’s commentary on the Pesah Haggadah together with the commentary Maggid Zedek.
Part two of the siddur also has its own title page, dated 665, and is comprised of Tikkunei Shabbat, Shir ha-Shirim with commentaries from the Gaon according to the peshat (literal meaning) and nistar, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat services, Keriat Shemah al-Mittah, andtikkunim to part one. The volume concludes with Karnot Shabbat and Tikkun ha-Kallalei. While there were previous siddurim based on the Vilna Gaon’s nusach this appears to be the first complete edition of the nusach ha-Gra. |
