Commentary on the Chumash by the Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar.
Part one, Venice, 1741. First edition of the Or HaChaim commentary on the Torah.
This sefer was published by the Ohr Hachaim himself while sojourning briefly in Italy en route from his native Morocco to the Holy Land. The title page emphasizes that the author “…has now set out upon a voyage to establish a House of Study in the city of Jerusalem.”
Part one on Bereshit & Shmot. Lacking first title page, [3], 86, 78, 8 Leaves. 33-33.5 Cm.
Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem on the 15th of Elul 1742, yet sadly, was not destined to dwell there for long as he restored his pristine soul to his Maker less than one year later on the 15th of Tammuz, 1743.
This Sefer was accepted in the entire Jewish Diaspora and became a classic commentary in Chumash editions. It was especially sacred to the leaders of the Chassidic movement. The Sefer became instantly recognized, due to the Baal Shem Tov’s praise of the preeminence of the author’s soul, as the Chida, disciple of the Or HaChaim, relates in his book Shem HaGedolim: "The commentary on the Torah by the outstanding and holy R. Chaim ibn Attar, was printed in Venice in the Chumash edition with Targum and Rashi. We heard that it is now held in high regard in Poland, and was printed there in another two editions. And this was due to the praise of the holy R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov on the greatness of R. Chaim’s soul" (Maarechet Sefarim, I, 54).
Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar (1696-1743), the "Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, " one of the sages of Salé, Morocco, ascended to the Land of Israel via Italy, where he stayed 1739-1742 in Livorno. He finished this work while he was in Livorno, on Tu B’Av 1741, and immediately sent it to be printed in Venice. The author is one of the few rabbinic leaders throughout the generations who was also granted the title "HaKadosh" across the Jewish world.
The publishing of the Ohr Hachaim’s commentary in 1742 infused an immense spiritual radiance into the world. This landmark sefer was enthusiastically received by Jewish communities across the Diaspora, and Torah sages and laymen alike drank thirstily from the Ohr Hachaim’s wellsprings of Torah.
Until this very day, many Chassidic congregations set aside a special hour on Friday night to delve into the sacred teachings of the Ohr Hachaim on the weekly Torah portion, drawing from the bounty of his spiritual light and the holiness of Shabbos. It is told that there were Chassidic Rebbes whose entry to their weekly tisch could be timed based on the length of the Ohr Hachaim’s commentary that week!
It is also told that learning from sefer Ohr Hachaim is a segulah for protection, health and children. (Ohr Hachaim, Blum Edition) It is also told that learning from sefer Ohr Hachaim is a segulah for protection, health and children. (Ohr Hachaim, Blum Edition)
The Admor Harav Yisrael of Ruzhin zatzal expressed that just as in previous generations learning the Zohar Hakaddosh was an effective means of cleansing the soul, so in our times, studying the Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh purifies the soul. (Irin Kaddishin p. 598)
“Certainly, he authored this work with Ruach Hakodesh, and one who denies the Ruach Hakodesh of the Ohr Hachaim is an apostate who does not believe in the Torah luminaries of the generation who attested that he was worthy of Ruach Hakodesh” (Responsa Divrei Chaim by Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, Yoreh Deah. Ch. 105)
Bad condition, tears & losses to text mostly at the bottom corner & to last pages, worming, water & damp stains , heavy wear, but still mostly useful to learn from. New sumptuous leather binding.
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