Tachlith HaChochmah [“The Goal of Wisdom.”]

MENASHE BEN JOSEPH BEN PORATH OF ILYA.

c. 1820

Autograph Hebrew Manuscript written in a cursive Ashkenazic hand on paper.

UNPUBLISHED AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT. A philosophical treatise on the importance of solving contradictory facets within a person. The author, a tremendous thinker, made it his life’s goal to focus upon the notion of “Tikkun Ha’Olam,” seeking to bring the world to it’s ultimate state of harmony and purpose. R. Menashe of Ilya (1767-1831) was one of the great original thinkers of his period. He formed a close relationship with the Vilna Gaon who held him in the highest esteem. For an extensive discussion of his life and works, see D. Kamenetsky, “HaGaon R. Menasheh Me’Ilya” in Yeshurun Vol. XX, pp. 729-81.