Ayil Meshulash [mathematics - especially, the properties of triangles and the rules of astronomy and algebra]. Edited by Samuel ben Joseph of Luknick.

ELIJAH, GAON OF VILNA

Menachem Mann-Simcha Zimel

Vilna and Horadna

1833

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut vine-border. Numerous woodcut mathematical textual diagrams

Vinograd, Vilna 278; Vinograd, Vilna Gaon (2003) no. 862

Book of Mathematics by the Preeminent Talmudist of His Day. In this work the Gaon of Vilna drew on his extensive knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences. He viewed such knowledge as an aid to Torah study and disapproved of the lack of interest in secular sciences that was widespread among Talmudic scholars of the time. The title is a play on the words in Genesis 15:9, “a ram of three years.” (In Hebrew, “meshulash” is also the word for triangle). The book bears the encomia (haskamoth) of the Chief Justice of Vilna, R. Abele Posweller and R. Jacob Moses of Slonim, grandson of the Gaon