Sefer HaMitzvot – Frankfurt am Main, Rabbi Zundel’s Handwriting and Signature

Sefer HaMitzvot – Frankfurt am Main, Rabbi Zundel’s Handwriting and Signature

Sefer HaMitzvot by the Great Eagle, the Rambam, with the glosses of the Maggid Mishneh and Marganita Tava. Frankfurt am Main, 5513 [1756].

First edition of the commentary Marganita Tava.

With important rabbinic approbations.

Stamped with the seal of Beit HaMidrash Menachem Tzion, and inscribed "Lemidrash Bnei Tzion", among other inscriptions.

It is well known that due to his great humility, Rabbi Zundel of Salant refused to officially serve in a rabbinical position. Instead, he worked as the gabbai (caretaker) of the Otzar HaSefarim (library) of Midrash Bnei Tzion and the Hurva Synagogue, where he would inscribe various notes in the books.

The gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant [1786-1865] was the founder of the Mussar Movement, a disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, and the teacher of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. His son-in-law, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, wrote astonishing words about him:

"As great as he was in his character traits, so too was his greatness in Torah. And as vast as his knowledge was in the revealed Torah, so was his expertise in the hidden Torah. He was the greatest Torah scholar of his generation, equal in both Torah and character, but through his profound and wondrous humility, he succeeded in concealing his greatness from people."

In his later years, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he served as the halachic authority for the Ashkenazi community.

On the title page, there is an additional early owner’s signature.

[3], 113 leaves. 21.5 cm.

Good condition. Some worming tunnels. Binding detached.