Sefer HaBrit, First Edition. Brünn, 1797. With the Rare Censor's Leaf

Sefer HaBrit, First Edition. Brünn, 1797. With the Rare Censor's Leaf

Rare sefer in rare condition: Sefer HaBrit - composition on topics in Kabbalah and mussar, science, medicine and philosophy, by Rabbi Pinchas Ben Eliyahu of Vilna. Brünn, 1797. Important approbations at the beginning of the sefer from Rabbi Shaul av beit din of Amsterdam, Rabbi Moshe Mintz of Alt-Ofen, and others. First edition published anonymously by the author. With the rare leaf bearing the censor's permit in German.

The sefer was published anonymously, and due to its content, there were those who attributed it to the Vilna Gaon - the Gr"a. The author's name is hinted to in the [Hebrew] initials at the beginning of the introduction: "I am less despised, I have authored this sefer , but the praise and appreciation go to Hashem for allowing me, an ant, a small creature who can still be saved, much salvation, wisdom and understanding, may He be praised for ever and ever, amen" ["אני פחות נבזה חברתי ספר זה אבל לאל יתברך השבח והודיה בחננו נמלה מקטני ארץ ישע רב ודעת ותבונה ישתבח לנצח נצחים אמן", ראשי-תיבות: פנחס זה אליהו בן מאיר ווילנא].

Sefer HaBrit became popular immediately upon its printing, and was reprinted without the author's permission, so in another edition printed by the author, he revealed his name. Over the years, this sefer has been printed in dozens of editions, and even translated into Yiddish and into Ladino. At the beginning of the sefer are important approbations from Rabbi Shaul, av beit din of Amsterdam, Rabbi Moshe Mintz of Alt-Ofen, and others.

The Chatam Sofer told his students about this sefer: "Buy one of these for yourselves if you wish to acquire knowledge on various subjects. And you and I will have gratitude to the author, who spent his precious time [on this] - so that I am not required to prepare such a work for you."

In 1799, about a year and a half after the sefer's printing, the author received a permit from the censor, in German. The permit was printed on one leaf and attached before the title page in copies that the author had not yet sold. This leaf is rare and lacking in many copies, but does appear in this copy.

Two parts in one volume. [4], 67, 67-68, 70-128; 66, [4] leaf. 22 cm. Signature.

Fine-very fine condition.Tears with minimal lack in the text (in the names of the verbs), professionally restored. Elegant new binding.