Hebrew. PENTATEUCH). Chamishah Chumshei Torah. Part II only (Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) of two.

(BIBLE

Tzvi Hirsch Margolioth of Sklow - Asher Premsler of Zolkiew

Sklow

1785

With Ohr Hachaim, Targum Onkelos and other commentaries.

Vinograd, Sklow 17

According to Chaim Liberman, the publisher of this Bible, Asher Premsler, was a covert free-thinker and follower of the Haskalah movement. He was opposed to portions of the Ohr Ha’chaim’s commentary that appeared to impute the Author with Messianic ambitions. Consequently, Premsler removed portions he deemed offensive (viz. f.24b, Re’eh “Achicha Ha’evyon, U’shemo Chaim.”) According to Liberman’s tale, “The saintly Ohr Ha’chaim, deceased and now residing in Paradise was deeply offended by the malicious censorship of his work. A voice called from Above and declared: ‘He removed my name from my work, therefore I will enter his.’ Whereupon in the Biblical text relating the Adulteress swearing she has not sinned with another man, the letter “cheth” flew from the word “aCHer,” (Another) in all printed copies of this edition, to be miraculously replaced by the letter “shin” to read “ASHer.” (See f.8a). Indeed, in time, a woman admitted to having an adulterous relationship with the publisher Asher Premsler, who was publicly shamed and forced to abandon home and hearth.” For a full account of this dramatic, mystical tale, see Ch. Liberman, Ohel Roche”l Vol. I pp. 156-7.