MALBIM, MEIR LEIBUSH

Shirei HaNefesh [commentary to the Song of Songs, with text and addendum Ha-Cheresh Ve-Ha-masger]. n.p. n.d. ff. 1, 43. With stamp of Fischel Lapin on f. 14. FIRST EDITION. [Ben Yaakov Shin 615; Friedberg Shin1212] * Bound with: * LUZZATO, MOSHE CHAIM. Mesilath Yesharim. Vilna, 1884. * And: ISSERLEIN, ISRAEL. Biurei Hagaon... R. Yisrael Isserlein. Final leaf contains addendum of additional comments by the Dayan of Plotzk, R. Gedalia Eliezer. Warsaw, 1874 [Krieger, Parshandatha 42]

Shirei HaNefesh is a most original commentary to the oft enigmatic verses of the Song of Songs, the author prides himself as "blazing a new, holy path untrodden by previous commentators." Bibliographers differ as to the place of publication and date of the Malbim's work. Ben Yaakov describes it as [Koenigsburg, 1856] while Friedberg states it is [Krotoschin, n.d.], both list it as the first edition. (EJ vol. 11 p. 823 also states that it was first published in Krotoschin). The previous owner, Fischel Lapin (1810-1889), was a renowned leader of the old Yishuv in Jerusalem and confidant of R. Israel Salanter