Historic Discovery!
Unknown composition by one of our Rishonim
Sefer Chayei Olam
14th Century
Parchment Manuscript
Complete handwritten sefer inscribed on parchment replete with mussar, and chiddushei halachah by a 14th-century Rishon.
Following a comprehensive investigation by bibliographic experts and librarians, it can be said with certainty that this work is unknown, unmentioned by any other source and has no replica in any library in the world.
Some 30 years ago, the manuscript owner Yechezkel Toporowitch wrote: “Over the years, we researched extensively, consulted experts, libraries and bibliographers, and pored over bibliographies, and we have yet to find a composition like this anywhere in the world. Meaning, this work by our Rishonim is unknown, and for many, many years, was not revealed…
There is no need to expound on the magnitude significance of the discovery of this work, which is a very rare phenomenon, beyond the colossal research value that it contains.”
More recently, Genazym resumed the investigation, exercising every means available in this day and age in a concerted effort to identify the manuscript. Nonetheless, we have yet to find a copy or even mention of this work in any library anywhere in the world.
The discovery and revelation of this sefer, which was authored by a Rishon, is a very rare and unusual event.
This manuscript contains the complete text of this newly found composition. It opens with the title Chayei Olam and concludes with the word “chazak”.
Content of Sefer Chayei Olam:
From the content of the sefer, it appears that the author’s goal was to educate, inspire and reinforce observance in matters which were commonly neglected. The following includes some of the subjects the author addresses and upon which he delivers sharp rebuke and warnings:
Leaf 1: Severity of the prohibition of taking an oath, cursing, and mentioning the Name of Hashem in vain.
Leaf 4: Severity of the sin of lashon hara.
Leaf 6: Severity of informing on one’s fellow Jew.
Leaf 7: Importance of Torah study.
Leaf 11: Severity of having relations with a gentile woman.
Leaf 14: Exalted attributes of prayer and severe prohibition of talking during prayers and in shul.
Leaves 17-10: Importance of the mitzvos of tefillin, tzitzis and mezuzah.
Leaf 20: Importance of reciting 100 blessings daily.
Leaf 23: Significance of repentance and attributes of chassidus (fulfilling mitzvos beyond the letter of the law) and prishus (abstention).
All of the above are complemented and interspersed with verses from Tanach and teachings of Chazal, in accordance with Rishonim’s way of writing.
The Author’s Sources:
The author cites Rashi and the Baalei Tosfos. The last Rishon that he mentions by name is Rabbeinu Eliezer of Worms, author of the Rokeach, in the section of mussar regarding prayers. The author quotes from the latter’s foreword to his sefer Rokeach, and from his sefer Moreh Chata’im (see below) as well as the authors of: Smag, Smak, Rabbeinu Peretz and Orchos Chaim.
Tikkun Rabbi Yaakov (Rabbeinu Tam)
On leaf 20, the author expands on the importance of prayer and reciting one hundred brachos daily. He quotes Rabbeinu Tam’s famous teaching that the verse “Ma Hashem Elokecha shoel me’imach – what is Hashem your G-d asking of you?” contains one hundred letters alluding to the mitzvah of reciting a hundred blessings daily (cited in Tosfos Menachos 43b).
The author writes, “And in the
Tikkun of Rabbi Yaakov, he explains the reason…” ” Presumably, this is a reference to the siddur of Rabbeinu Tam which is referenced frequently by the Rishonim but was lost throughout the ages.
The Letter against Jewish informers
During the era of Rabbeinu Tam, there was a troubling practice of Jewish informers who slandered their brethren to the local authorities or chose to present their legal cases before a gentile court of law. Supported by his Rabbinical contemporaries, Rabbeinu Tam, who perceived this phenomenon as a terrible threat to Jewish society and tradition, issued a grave cherem to excommunicate anyone caught informing upon a fellow Jew or who dared to take his legal case to a gentile court.
In his rebuke for the terrible sin of acting as an informer, the author writes severely:
“Due to abominations like these, our early sages – the Rashbam, Rabbeinu Tam and Ri, family members of Rashi – and with the consent of all Rabbis of the kingdoms of France, Spain, Germany and Lotharingia and their islands and environs, signed this
Tzatz Hamatteh Letter, imposed a cherem and excommunication, and issued a dire warning upon their congregations and their children and progeny to abide by this and excommunicate anyone who transgresses the regulations that they established with the consent of the spiritual luminaries of this time.”
The letter opens with the poetic introduction: “The staff has budded and turned into a serpent and the flower at its top transformed into a snake for all who speak evilly and secretly inform…”
The text of the present letter differs substantially from the text of other cherems imposed during this period in other cities and lands. The book Jewish Self-Government in the Middle Ages quotes 6 separate versions of the Tzatz Hamatteh Letter (see Erkaos Behalachah p. 30). The version most similar to the present letter can be found in the manuscript section of the British Museum.
Moreh Chata’im and a wonderous Account about the Rokeach
The author also quotes the sefer Moreh Chata’im by Rabbi Eliezer of Worms, author of the Rokeach, which is seldom cited (Moreh Chata’im) by any of the Rishonim.
When quoting this particular sefer, he writes, “We find in the sefer Moreh Chata’im which
Rabbi Eliezer of Worms received from heavenly angels in a special event together with the prophets, and Dovid, Shlomo and Eliyahu…”
This incredible account, attesting so clearly and unambiguously that the Rokeach acquired the wisdom that he recorded in his sefer Moreh Chata’im from angels, does not appear in any other known work.
In summary, the present manuscript, which only recently surfaced and became revealed to the public, is replete with inspirational teachings that foster chassidus, prishus and fear of heaven. The sefer contains a wealth of teachings from Chazal and Midrashim, numerous halachic chiddushim, and more.
The sefer also contains an important copy of the famous Tzatz Hamatteh Letter, which proclaimed the cherem issued by the Rashbam and Rabbeinu Tam upon any informer or Jew who appealed to a municipal court as opposed to Beis Din.
14th-century manuscript. 15 double-sided leaves (30 sides) with 24 lines per page.
Page Size: 19×14 cm.
Description: Neat, impressive Ashkenazic script on thin parchment. A drawing of a tiger on the margin of the 4th side.
Condition: Complete. Good condition.
In the attached detailed study and report (Hebrew), researchers present various theories regarding the author, discuss halachic aspects of his chiddushim and different versions of text found within the teachings of Chazal.
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
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