Ohr HaChaim al HaTorah. First Edition. Venice, 1742
Complete, Pristine condition!
Commentary on the Chumash by the Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar.
This
sefer was published by the Ohr Hachaim himself while sojourning briefly in Italy en route from his native Morocco to the Holy Land. The title page emphasizes that the author “…has now set out upon a voyage to establish a House of Study in the city of Jerusalem.”
Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem on the 15th of Elul, 5502 (1742), yet sadly, was not destined to dwell there for long as he restored his pristine soul to his Maker less than one year later on the 15th of Tammuz, 5503 (1743).
This complete copy, printed with high-quality ink on thick paper, is in excellent condition. All page edges, illustrated title pages, approbations, Italian printing licenses, all are in remarkable beauty.
Decorative initials at the start of each Chumash.
The title page labels the work ‘Orchos Chaim, ’ as opposed to the correct name
‘Ohr Hachaim.’ Vol. 2 of this edition includes a printer’s insert with the amended title
‘Ohr Hachaim.’
Venice, 1742. First edition.
Bereishis-Shemos. [4] 86:78:
Vayikrah-Devarim. [2], 60, 72: 58:8, 12 leaves. Page size: 32.7 cm. Minor stains and signs of use. Corner margin in center has small hole crafted by the printing house in order to allow the pages to dry after printing.
Bound in original leather Venetian binding with gold embellishments. Handwritten marginalia in Italian. Owner’s signature on verso of title page: Eliezer Sh”Ch (Shmuel Chai) ben Moshe Chaim Norci of Ferrara.
Stefansky Sifrei Yesod #28.
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The Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh
The publishing of the Ohr Hachaim’s commentary in 1742 infused an immense spiritual radiance into the world. This landmark sefer was enthusiastically received by Jewish communities across the Diaspora, and Torah sages and laymen alike drank thirstily from the Ohr Hachaim’s wellsprings of Torah.
Until this very day, many Chassidic congregations set aside a special hour on Friday night to delve into the sacred teachings of the Ohr Hachaim on the weekly Torah portion, drawing from the bounty of his spiritual light and the holiness of Shabbos. It is told that there were Chassidic Rebbes whose entry to their weekly tisch could be timed based on the length of the Ohr Hachaim’s commentary that week!
As the Chida attests in Shem Hagedolim: “We have heard that in Poland they regard him very highly…and the pious and holy Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shev Tov praised the soul of Moreinu Harav Chaim [Attar].” It is also told that learning from sefer Ohr Hachaim is a segulah for protection, health and children. (Ohr Hachaim, Blum Edition)
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“V’higadeta l’bincha – And you shall tell your sons”
Ohr Hachaim – A Segulah for Children!
There is a famous segulah to learn Ohr Hachaim after completing the recitation of the Haggadah on the first night of Pesach, and those who do are blessed with children!
The author himself alludes to this segulah himself in Parshas Bo (13:8).
“It is possible that he hints with the words ‘V’higadeta l’bincha, and you shall tell your son, ’ that if he recites the Haggadah, he shall be blessed with the opportunity to tell his sons!”
These sacred words of the Ohr Hachaim have inspired many to review this passage of his commentary, along with other portions that relate to the Exodus on the first night of Pesach, in order to be blessed with children!
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Four Torah Sages in Eretz Yisrael were given the title ‘Hakaddosh’ after their names: the Ar”i Hakaddosh; the Alshich Hakaddosh; the Shl”a Hakaddosh; and the Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh.
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The Awe-Inspiring Force of Learning Ohr Hachaim
The Admor Harav Yisrael of Ruzhin zatzal expressed that just as in previous generations learning the Zohar Hakaddosh was an effective means of cleansing the soul, so in our times, studying the Ohr Hachaim Hakaddosh purifies the soul. (Irin Kaddishin p. 598)
“Certainly, he authored this work with ruach hakodesh, and one who denies the ruach hakodesh of the Ohr Hachaim is an apostate who does not believe in the Torah luminaries of the generation who attested that he was worthy of ruach hakodesh” (Responsa Divrei Chaim by Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, Yoreh Deah. Ch. 105)
Ohr HaChaim’s teaching on this week’s Parshah:
Achdus within Am Yisroel
In this week’s parshah (Pikudei 39:32), the Ohr Hachaim provides one of his best-known teachings.
The Ohr Ha’Chaim asks: It is known that the Taryag Mitzvos (613 commandments) were given to us in order to rectify through them our 248 limbs (Ramach Eivorim) and the 365 sinews (Shesa Gidim).
In practice, one person cannot keep all 613 Mitzvos, since some Mitzvos were given only to Kohanim and Levi’im. Other mitzvos were given only to women. Therefore, the Ohr Ha’Chaim questions how can a person rectify his limbs himself since not all 613 Mitzvos can be performed by one person.
The Ohr Ha’Chaim explains that the Torah was given to us to be fulfilled by all of Klal Yisrael. Every person must do what he himself is obligated to do, and then the rest of Klal Yisroel merit because we are one nation, that love and are accountable for one another.
Each person does his or her share of Mitzvos and with Achdus between Klal Yisroel all 613 Mitzvos are fulfilled.
This is why this week’s Parshah tells us that Bnei Yisroel performed the entire task of building the Mishkan. Obviously they didn’t all build the whole Mishkan. One person gave a donation, another person performed hands-on labor…yet since every person fulfilled his personal obligation, together they are considered to have all completed the building of the Mishkan.
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