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

(ELIJAH, GAON OF VILNA).

(Vilna)

Early 19th-century

Manuscript on paper. Diagram on f. 15 depicting the arrangement of the Passover Seder-platter according to the custom of the Vilna Gaon

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