Bidspirit auction | Sefer Nefesh Hachaim, Vilna-Horodna 1824.

Sefer Nefesh Hachaim, Vilna-Horodna 1824. First Edition. A Pedigree Copy. - Sefer Nefesh HaChaim, First Edition, Vilna-Horodna 1824. The fundamental work written by R. Chaim Volozhiner (1749-1821), the leader of all Jewry in the early 19th century and foremost disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. He established Yeshivas Etz Chaim of Volozhin (circa 1808), and raised an entire generation of the greatest Torah scholars.  Nefesh HaChaim was written by R. Chaim Volozhiner himself during his lifetime, and was brought to print after his death by his son and successor R. Itzele of Volozhin. In his introduction, he explains that the reason why he called this work “Nefesh Hachaim”, is because that was the way his father R. Chaim Volozhiner used to sign his name in his letters and responsa. It was written primarily to refute various beliefs amongst Chassidim, particularly that of the Ba’al HaTanya. It is divided into four parts, and discusses how one should live his life as a Torah Jew. Till this very day, it is perhaps the most fundamental work studied in the Yeshiva world. The Brisker Rav would say that Nefesh Hachaim “is the Shulchan Aruch in Hashkafa”. Every aspect of man’s life – beginning with the creation of the world until death – is discussed here with utmost clarity.   This edition bears a unique phrase at the beginning of chapter 4 (Sha’ar Dalet), which was omitted in all subsequent editions: “Unfortunately in our days it has all been flipped around; what is considered lowly is now on high and what is truly lofty is now lowly” (see Hebrew description for an exact quote of the text). The beginning of the phrase “what was considered lowly is now on high”, is referring to the phenomenon of focusing on Chassidus and Dveikus instead of the Torah itself. It is told that R. Itzele felt that this remark was too harsh of a criticism to be printed, and ordered that in all copies this would be covered with paper. Interestingly, the glue stain of that paper is clearly visible in this copy, on these exact words. As mentioned, these words were omitted entirely from all later editions. First Edition of Nefesh Hachaim - The Segulah A great deal of Segulos have been attributed to this holy work, and without doubt brings a great source of blessing and protection into one’s home. See, for example “The Soul of Emunah”, R. Reuven Schmeltzer (Israel Bookshop Publications, 2020, pp. 211-212, footnote 9), a famous miraculous story regarding a Dibbuk which took place in 1909: “R. Zvi Hircsh Levenberg related that when R. Elchanan Wasserman was in America in 1938, he told him the entire account of the Dibbuk… Rav Levenberg remembered him relating a part that was not well-known: At first when the girl with the Dibbuk came to Radin, the Dibbuk did not talk to them at all. When Rav Moshe Rosenstein zt”l, later the Mashgiach of Lomza, entered the room, he asked the Dibbuk why it was not talking. The Dibbuk replied that there was too much Kedusha in the room, as there was a Sefer on the windowsill. That Sefer was none other than Nefesh HaChaim by Rav Chaim Volozhiner”.  The personal copy of R. Mordechai Uriah Milikovsky-Samonov of Mitava (1800-1864), with his autograph seen on title page; occasional corrections seen in his own hand. He was a renowned Torah scholar known for his piety and diligence. This copy was seemingly gifted to him by his community upon becoming their Rav. His son was the famed R. Eliyahu Aharon Milikovsky-Samonov, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and author of “Ohalei Aharon”, who was a Talmid of the Netziv and R. Chaim Brisker. His grandson R. Efraim Samonov was the son-in-law of R. Chaim Berlin, and was also well-known as a foremost disciple of R. Chaim Brisker.  In overall very good condition, wear and stains due to heavy use. Bound in a new, ornate leather binding.  [6], 17, 10, 8, [1], 4; 17 pp.  Stefansky Hebrew Classics 478.