Tola’ath Ya’akov [Kabbalistic exposition to the prayers]

IBN GABBAI, MEIR

Chaya Toba

Lemberg (Zolkiew)

1799

Marginalia in English

Vinograd, Lemberg 172; (Zolkiew 544)

Although the title page states this was published by two partners from Lemberg and printed by Chaya Toba Madfis of Lemberg, the approbation by R. Moshe Tzvi Meisels of Zolkiew is stated to have been by “the Rabbi of our community,” which would indicate the book was published in Zolkiew. Tola’ath Ya’akov is one of the earliest, systematic commentaries to the prayers and associated customs. Although the work is kabbalistic in nature, it is noted for its clarity and flowing style. Both Isaiah Horowitz (the Shla"h) and Chaim Joseph David Azulai (the Chid"a), frequently cite the Tola’ath Ya’akov in their own works