Bidspirit auction | Classic: Sefer Ma’avar Yabok, Mantua

Classic: Sefer Ma’avar Yabok, Mantua 1626. First Edition. - Ma’avar Yabok is the classic ethical work authored by R. Aharon Berachia of Modena. Ever since its publication it has been republished in many editions. The book has 112 chapters (in gematria: ”Yabok”), which include, among other things, prayers and rituals intended for the patient, his family members and those around him during his illness, the departure of his soul and his burial. It is not a Halachic treatise in the conventional sense of the word, but despite this it had, and still has, a tremendous influence in the field of jurisprudence in the field of the afterlife of a Jew. The book is divided into five parts:  First Part - Sifsei Tzedek In the first chapter of the of the first part, the author clarifies the difference between a foundation and the fruits of a commandment. Continuing to the virtue of the mitzvot of giving kindnesses, while giving an explanation of the reason why the term Chesed, is said in the plural. From here it continues to the mitzvah of visiting the sick, which is also a mitzvah that is divided into a foundation and fruits. For example, visiting the sick must be accompanied by pleas for his healing, and whoever visits without asking for mercy, does not escape the obligation to fulfill the mitzvah. However the elite visitation of the sick is the one who prays for the sick, and from that comes a cry. And the meaning of a cry is that the praying person has no more words, until a cry erupts from his heart, and the value of this cry is about ten prayers, because it arouses, and has the ability to lessen the pain. In the second chapter, the author clarifies the importance of visiting the sick, and the ”order of mercy” that must be said about the patient. In the third chapter, the matter of faith comes into play. The author clarifies that even if the patient's illness is a direct result of human actions, he must attribute his illness to the Supreme Providence. It is proper for the sick person to justify the judgment upon himself, and it is proper for him to aim to die for the sanctification of God, and it will be considered to him as if he threw himself into the fiery furnace for that purpose. The fourth chapter deals with the duty of the patient to repent before his death and detail his sins. Confession is also mentioned in the daily prayers (Shacharis and Mincha), and the strength of the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, and the weakening of the Sitra Achara, as a result of this remembrance, is explained. The chapter details the reward of the one who turns the wicked into repentance, and repeats and emphasizes how helpful heartbreak and tears are in the confession of a sick person. Second Part - Sefas Emes Third Part - Sifsei Renanos Fourth Part - divided into three chapters: Chapter I - Atar Anan HaKetores Chapter II - Korban Ta’anis Chapter III - Minchas Aharon Fifth Part - Imrei Noam This copy is complete with all parts as mentioned above. In overall good condition. Headers and margins slightly trimmed. Slight damage to pp. 149-153. Occasional worming. Approx 17cm.