Messilat Yesharim - First Printing. Amsterdam, 1740

Messilat Yesharim - First Printing. Amsterdam, 1740

 

Fundamental sefer of mussar and Divine service, printed thereafter in hundreds of editions!

Sefer Messilat Yesharim - including all topics in mussar and fear of Hashem, by Rabbeinu Moshe Chaim Luzzato - the Ramcha"l. Amsterdam, 1740. Naftali Hertz Rofeh Press. First edition, printed in the Ramcha"l's lifetime. The last leaf is completed by professional photocopy.

The correct text: on page 53b, at the end of Chapter 26, which summarizes the sefer and discusses the trait of kedushah, the Ramcha"l writes a sentence, that, when read only superficially, appears to be mistaken: "A person can already be a complete chassid by never stopping to study, like one who due to his needs, is a lowly laborer." This text aroused the astonishment of editors of subsequent editions, who changed the order "A person can already be a complete chassid - one who is a lowly laborer due to his needs, like one who never stops studying."

Deeper examination expressly demonstrates that the Ramcha"l is trying to say, in summary, that the goal of this sefer, as stated in the introduction, has been reached.

That is to say, at the beginning of the sefer, the Ramcha"l clarified that due to the fact that insufficient time has been dedicated to elucidating the trait of chassidut, the situation has developed in which true chassidut, that is desirable and pleasant, is not something that can be conceived by us, and it is lacking in both sages and others. Possibly due to lack of study, and possibly due to lack of understanding.

But now, after the Ramcha"l's clarification of the bereita about Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, one can get the correct picture of the trait of chassidut, and the purpose of this is both for sages and others. But chassidut will not be the same path for both, because chassidim go on a different path than the one for those who are not sages. Although the Ramcha"l has only one elucidation, they can both build their chassidut on it. The same words, the same ladder of ascent, can guide both the sages and others, and each will ascend according to chassidut as befits each.

He concludes by saying 'and already (meaning, with the guidance of Messilat Yesharim) a person who never stops studying can be a complete chassid, and (that is, this sefer will help a sage become a chassid as befits him), just like (this sefer will also help) one, who, due to his needs, is a laborer (that is, this sefer will help one who is not a sage become a chassid as befits him).

Both will be, and will be considered, complete chassidim, despite their chassidut not being the same, because the goal is to bring pleasure to their Creator to the best of their abilities. "Everyone works for Hashem's sake" and He created every creation as it is, for his honor. It is His will that the creations be different from one another, and this will bring honor to Hashem in the most complete way, according to what their Creator wants from their creation.

This is according to the Ramcha"l's opening remarks in his conclusion, saying this work 'can be a start, a beginning of the in-depth study of these issues. Their paths have been revealed and an opening has been mercifully revealed to our eyes, to walk on them in a straight path ... a sage will hear and add to wisdom, etc.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for the reactions of Chassidic masters and Lithuanian gedolim to this sefer.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod no. 475.

[6], 62 leaf. The final leaf was completed by artistic photocopy.

Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. New leather binding.