Sidrei Chochma. * And : Sepher Piruka LeTakanta.

MENASHE BEN JOSEPH BEN PORATH OF ILYA.

(Ilya?)

(c. 1825)

Autograph Manuscript in Hebrew, written on paper in a cursive Aschkenazic hand (Sidrei Chochma, 4 leaves) and rabbinic hand (Piruka LeTakanta, 11 leaves).

Two philosophical works on the understanding of the workings of nature and knowledge, Man’s purpose in this world, and “Tikun Olam” the ways to repair and improve the world. Alphei Menashe (published in 1822) is cited on f. 3 of this manuscript. One of the great original thinkers of his period, R. Menasheh of Ilya (1767-1831), was an enigmatic personality who became well acquainted with the Vilna Gaon and with whom a close relationship was formed. For an important discussion of the life and works of R. Menasheh of Ilya see D. Kaminetsky, “HaGaon R. Menasheh Me’Ilya” in Yeshurun Vol. XX, pp. 729-81, where he takes issue with M. Plungian in his work Ben Porath, (Vilna, 1859), asserting that Plungian deliberately painted an inaccurate portrait of the personality of R. Menasheh. See also A. Kosman, Pesher Davar LeRabbi Menasheh Me’Ilya, Talmid HaGra, in: Yeshurun, Vol. V pp. 191-203 who takes a different approach.