Bidspirit auction | Nefesh HaChaim. First (Uncensored) Edition.

Nefesh HaChaim. First (Uncensored) Edition. Vilna Horodna 1824 - Classic Sefer by R. Chaim of Volozhin presenting a clear and orderly theological view of man and his purpose in the world. Based primarily on the teachings of the Gaon, and drawing on many Kabbalistic sources, it addresses many of the same issues as the Chasidic seforim of that era. The portion most oft studied and quoted is Sha’ar Daled (section 4), which is a complete exegesis on the concept of Torah Lishmah, emphasizing its intellectual aspects, as opposed to the Chassidic emphasis on deveikus. This was written to clarify the outlook of the Vilna Gaon in response to Chassidus. Received with great acclaim by the scholars of the Lithuanian Torah community, it has been reprinted many times and remains a classic work studied in many Yeshivos. Vinograd, Sifrei Ha’Gra, page 248, notes that the main variance between the first and later editions is that at the beginning of Sha’ar Daled (page 1 of the final Section) the text reads “Now in our generation due to our sins, it is unfortunately the opposite, the low have risen and the high have fallen”. In later editions the text simply reads “now in our generation … the high have fallen”. Vinograd suggests that this was to tone down any anti-Chassidic sentiment. Stefansky Hebrew Classics 478. Vinograd Sifrei Ha’Gra 1417. Vinograd Vilna 183. Mann-Zimmel press. 6, 17, 10, 8, [1], 4, 17 pages. 19.8 cm. Overall excellent condition. First few and last few pages with minor worming, affecting some words. Antique binding (loose). Opening bid $2000