Sefer Ma’aseh Rokeach – Kabbalistic work by the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Elazar Rokeach, patriarch of Belz Chassidism.
First edition. Amsterdam, 1740. Segulah book for (nearly) incurable illness.
Unique composition on the order of mishnahs and the numbering of the chapters according to Kabbalah. In his preface, the author writes that he had intended to complete the commentary for all six orders of mishnah, but because he was involved in preparations for his ascent to the Land of Israel, he laid aside the commentary for Seder Taharot and wrote the commentary only for (its) Tractate Uktzin, which is the end of the mishnayot.
As the author writes in his preface: "For not by coincidence nor happenstance did it be so, rather all was written with Heaven-guided understanding, and arranged deliberately for allegoric and esoteric allusions". The author likewise writes that "the first and last letters of the chapters were purposefully selected for their numeric values, following allegoric and esoteric allusions".
It is accepted by oral tradition in Belz Chassidut that reading from this segulah book can help ill people suffering from one of the worst illnesses of our generation – depression and melancholy.
So wrote the Admo"r of Belz shlit"a, a descendant of the author, in his approbation to the 1993 edition: "Everyone knows that this Sefer was very precious to our rabbis, and in 1955, my uncle, the Admo"r Rabbi Aharon Rokeach of Belz, gave his blessing to the printing of this sacred book, and said in the name of his father, the Admo"r Rabbi Yissachar Dov zy"a, that study of this book is a segulah for joy [מסוגל לשמחה].
[1], 121, 6 Leaves.
24.5 Cm. Good quality wide margined paper.
The Gaon Rabbi Elazar Rokeach [1685-1742] was Av Beit Din of Amsterdam and a G-dly Kabbalist. He was also called ‘the Ma’aseh Rokeach’ after this book before us. He printed his book Ma’aseh Rokeach towards the end of his life, in 1740, on his way to the Land of Israel. In the book, he writes lofty Kabbalistic hints and secrets about the numbers of chapters in the six orders of Mishnah.
The Chid"a writes about the Sefer and its author: "The Gaon, the pious Rabbi Elazar of Krakow, son of R’ Shmuel, wrote in the book Ma’aseh Rokeach wondrous Kabbalistic hints for mishnayot, printed when he was ready to travel to the Land of Israel. He ascended to the holy city of Safed, and after a year he ‘left for Gan Eden.’ I heard wondrous things about his piousness and expertise." Rebbes of the Chassidic movement, led by the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples, admired him and spoke of him using superlative terms.
Very Good Condition, stains, original leather binding, text block detached from binding.
Ownership inscriptions & stamps: Islington Synagogue, Liverpool.
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Lot #42