Shenei Luchot HaBrit (The Holy Shelah), words of ethics and fear of G-d, Kabbalah and Halacha, by R. Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz. Amsterdam: Immanuel son of Josef Athias, 1698. Illustrated title page (by Avraham ben Yaakov HaGer).
Shenei Luchot HaBrit contains many halachic novellae, Kabbalistic principles, homiletics and ethics, and incorporates all realms of the Torah. The book was received with awe throughout the Jewish world, and its teachings are quoted in the books of leading poskim and kabbalists. Many renowned Chassidic leaders were extraordinarily devoted to the study of the books of the Shelah.
The Bach – R. Yoel Sirkis, notably acclaimed the author and his works in his approbation to the Shaar HaShamayim siddur: "R. Yeshaya HaLevi… he left behind blessing in his holy compositions, and upon seeing and reading them we sensed holiness in all our limbs, and this is the sign that his works were composed for the sake of Heaven, to elevate future generations…". The Tosafot Yom Tov writes in his approbation to the siddur: "He is a holy, awe-inspiring man… no doubt he was invested with a heavenly spirit".
This edition of the Shelah was printed in Amsterdam in 1698, the year the Baal Shem Tov was born, and Chassidic lore ties these two events. The Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch writes (Igrot, 2853) of the elaborate edition of the book Shelah HaKadosh printed in the year "Nachat" (gratification; the numerical value of 'nachat' corresponds to the Hebrew year 5458, i.e. 1698). He states that "this alludes to the heavenly gratification caused by the revelation of the holy book, and in that year the Baal Shem Tov was born. The Baal Shem Tov was used to saying that he was born in the year of the printing of the Shelah HaKadosh, in order to enlighten the world with G-d's light of Torah and fear of Heaven with service of the heart". The Rebbe Rayatz brings a wondrous tradition from R. Mendel of Vitebsk regarding the first and second editions of the Shelah: "During the printing of the Shelah… this holy book enthused and inspired the hearts of the Jewish people, drawing the Evil Eye, which brought about the infamous Chmielnicki pogroms"; "In the year the Baal Shem Tov was born, the second edition of Shelah was printed in Amsterdam, and then as well there was an accusation in heaven against the Jewish people in Poland, similar to the first accusation upon the initial publication of the Shelah, yet thank G-d, it was a year of serenity" (Likutei Diburim HaMeturgam, I, p. 50).
Ownership inscriptions of members of the Treves family, in Italian script, most of them deleted. Ownership inscription on the title page of Vavei HaAmudim: "Came to my possession from the estate of my late brother R. Yochanan, Avraham son of R. Yitzchak Treves". Short glosses in Italian script in several places. Long gloss on p. 298b.
[4], 422; 44; [12] leaves. 31 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dark stains and dampstains, with traces of mildew to first leaves. Worming. Marginal tears to first leaves (some repaired), not affecting text, and small open tears to last two leaves, affecting text. Illustrated title page detached. Old binding.