Hanhagoth Ha-Gra [collection of customs and religious practices of the Gaon of Vilna].* Bound with: S. Pappenheim Aggadath Arba Kosoth

AUCTION 38 | Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 280
(ELIJAH, GAON OF VILNA).

Hanhagoth Ha-Gra [collection of customs and religious practices of the Gaon of Vilna].* Bound with: S. Pappenheim Aggadath Arba Kosoth

Manuscript on paper. Diagram on f. 15 depicting the arrangement of the Passover Seder-platter according to the custom of the Vilna Gaon 19 leaves, misnumbered although text complete. Apparently lacking title. Elegant cursive Aschkenazic script with some square headings. Contemporary boards, worn. 8vo

(Vilna): Early 19th-century

Est: $1,200 - $1,800
PRICE REALIZED $1,000
These customs and practices were originally compiled and collected by the Vilna Gaon’s disciple R. Saadiah b. Nathan Nata. They were later edited and prepared for publicattion by the Dayan of Vilna, R. Yissachar Baer in 1817. Publication however was delayed and the book was first published posthumously in Vilna, 1832 with R. Yissachar Baer's commentary Pe'ulath Sachir under the title "Ma’aseh Rav." The present manuscript evidently pre-dates the published edition as the title is more generic, "Hanhagoth Ha-Gra." There is no reference to the title "Ma’aseh Rav". The text generally follows the published edition with slight textual variances (single words only). In addition, in the printed version the paragraphs are numbered consecutively, while in this manuscript each chapter commences with new numbers. The manuscript also contains additional headings; for example, "Hilchhoth Shavuoth" is a separate chapter, while in the printed version it is incorporated together with Hilchhoth Pesach