Auction 75
Lot 19:
Sefer Moreh Nevochim, the Rambam’s famed work, with two commentaries, one by Rabbi Moshe Narvoni and one titled Givat Hamoreh by the member of the Enlightenment Movement Shlomo Ben Yehoshua (who, because he admired the Rambam, adopted the family name Maimon). Printed in sections II-III is a short commentary by the member of the Enlightenment Movement Yitzchak Halevi of Sataniv. 3 sections. Printed by Chevrat Chinuch Ne’arim in Berlin, 1791-1795. Without the foreign title page. A leaf at the beginning of section I is missing, of the history of philosophy. [8], 37-45, [1], 46-108, [1]; [1], 62; 81 leaves. Professionally restored tears to several leaves. Apparently original binding with a new embossed fabric spine. Stains and minor blemishes. Very good overall condition.
Pedigreed!
On the title page of each of the sections, the official stamp of the Gaon the Malbim, from when he was Rav in Bucharest, Romania and earlier stamps (mostly erased) of Rabbeinu: "מאיר ליבוש מלבי"ם בעהמ"ס… אב"ד דק"ק וורעשנא". On the title page of section I, Rabbeinu the Malbim’s handwritten signature (erased with other ink yet clearly readable) and a handwritten notation: "דרשה גשאנק מאחי הב’ ליביש". In addition, on the title pages of sections I and II, his foreign handwritten signature.
Interesting!
This book was published by the leaders of the Enlightenment Movement, which was sharply opposed by Rabbeinu the Malbim, who even wrote his famed commentary on the bible as a result of his struggle against the movement. Apparently, Rabbeinu had the book to keep the saying "דע מה שתשיב לאפיקורס".
The Gaon Rabbi Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michl Weizer (the Malbim, 1809-1880) was a Gaon born in Vohlin, one of the last commentators on the Bible and Poskim. He worked in the Russian Empire, Prussia, and Romania. He is most known for his Bible commentary, which shows his wide-ranging scholarship—in his commentaries can be found references to philosophers of the past like Kant, Philo, and more.
He wrote many books on a variety of subjects, including:
Mikra’ei Kodesh (commentary on Nach);
Artzot HaChaim (chiddushim on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim);
Eretz Chemda (drashot on the Torah),
Artzot HaShalom (various drashot);
haTorah VeHaMitzvah (commentary on the Torah, Mechilta, Safra and Sifrei);
Yesodei Chochmat HaHigayon (commentary on the laws of logic);
Mashal u’Melitzah; Aleh LiTrufah (commentary on the Mishneh Torah, Ch. 4 from Hilchot De’ot);
Yair Or (dictionary of synonyms)
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