Nachal Dimah, Eulogy for Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin – Vilna, 1821

Nachal Dimah, Eulogy for Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin – Vilna, 1821

Nachal Dimah, eulogy on R. Chaim of Volozhin, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna, by R. Tzvi Hirsh Katzenellenbogen. Vilna, [1821]. Only edition.

The scarce book includes a vocalized lamentation poem of 19 stanzas.

By R. Tzvi Hirsh Katzenellenbogen, the renowned printer of Vilna. In the hesped, R. Tzvi Hirsch appeals to the residents of Vilna to support the Yeshiva in Volozhin, then headed by R. Yitzchok of Volozhin, who was appointed by his father to lead the Yeshiva.

Vilna, 1821.

[2], 24 leaves. 17.5 cm.

Later covers, light worming inner margin, slightly affecting text, center 3 leaf's slightly detached,   

Vinograd, Thesaurus of the books of the Vilna Gaon, no.1498.

R. Chaim of Volozhin (1749-1821), was born in the town of the Volozhin and initially studied under R. Aryeh Leib Ginsburg (the Sha’agas Aryeh), then Rav of Volozhin and R. Refoel Ha’Cohen (the Toras Yekusiel). As a young man, he was attracted by the greatness of the Vilna Gaon and he drew close to him, ultimately becoming his most prominent disciple and spiritual successor. Towards the end of the Gaon’s life, he instructed R. Chaim to open a Yeshiva, which ultimately became the “father” of the present-day Yeshiva system. Author of Nefesh HaChaim and Ruach Chaim.