Darchei Noam – Königsberg, 1764 – Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna

Darchei Noam – Königsberg, 1764 – Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna

Darchei Noam – Königsberg, 1764 – Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna

Darchei Noam, wonderful composition on the teachings of Rabba Bar Bar Chana, using various approaches, by R. Shmuel son of R. Eliezer of Kalvarija. Königsberg, [1764]. Approbation by the Gaon of Vilna.

The approbation by the Gaon of Vilna was printed on the verso of the title page, with the heading " The great luminary… G-dly man, the renowned R. Eli. Chassid of Vilna". This is one of the only two approbations ever given by the Gaon of Vilna.

The approbation, written on 25th Sivan 1762, contains a blessing for the author: "May he succeed in publishing it, with G-d's will, to revive many people and grant them the merit of seeing the pleasantness of G-d…".

In this book, the teachings of Rabba Bar Bar Chana were explained according to the Derash, Remez and Sod approaches. The author writes in his preface that the Redemption is contingent on the study of Torah using all four approaches: Peshat, Remez, Derash and Sod, and especially on the study of Kabbalah, "as stated in the Zohar, that in the merit of the study of the Zohar, we will be redeemed from exile…". In this preface, the author also makes messianic calculations, and writes that the year 5541 [1780-1781] is the year of the Redemption (see: Aryeh Morgenstern, Messianic Calculations in the Book Darchei Noam, in his book Mistika UMeshichiyut, pp. 125-130).

2, 117 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains (including dampstains) and wear. Worming, affecting text of some leaves, primarily first leaves (repaired in part). Leaves trimmed close to text, affecting text on some leaves. Owner's signature and censor's stamp on title page. New binding.

Vinograd, Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon, no. 990.