Sefer Halacha Acharona - Kuntres HaRayos, Königsberg 1759. With Sacred Approbation of the Vilna Gaon. First Edition.

Sefer Halacha Acharona - Kuntres HaRayos, Königsberg 1759. With Sacred Approbation of the Vilna Gaon. First Edition.

Sefer Halacha Acharona - Kuntres HaRayos was written by the saintly Rav of Königsberg and Mekubal, R. Aryeh Leib Epstein (1708-1775). He was the teacher and guide of R. Alexander Ziskind of Horodna, author of Yesod V’Shoresh HaAvodah. 

R. Aryeh Leib authored many works, most notably Sefer HaPardes and Ohr HaShanim for which he is best known as the Ba’al HaPardes. Due to lack of funds he printed many different versions and variants of these works, at many different times. The present work - Kuntres HaRayos, is a continuation of these works and focuses on the proper fulfillment of the 613 Mitzvos. 

As is well known, this work is one of only two works to bear the sacred Haskamah of the Vilna Gaon, who refers to the author as one who is “well known in Torah and Chassidus”. The Gaon continues and exclaims that although he managed to look over only a small portion of the work, he can see that the entire work consists of fear of heaven. R. Aryeh Leib was also held in high regard by R. Yehonasan Eybeschutz, who praises him immensely in his approbation to Sefer HaPardes.

Due to printing restraints not very many copies of any single work of the author were printed. As such, all works of the Ba’al HaPardes are extremely rare. It is said in the name of R. Chaim Kanievsky - a descendant of the author, that in the early days in Bnei Brak - while his uncle the Chazon Ish was still alive, copies of the first editions were already hard to come by. 

Many Segulahs are known to have come to fruition in the merit of the author’s works. Since he could not properly print and distribute his Seforim as mentioned above, he promises that whoever helps facilitate this will merit an abundance of good and their light will shine bright. In the early 1950’s, R. Aharon Leib Steinman reprinted some of his works as a Segulah. His son R. Moshe Steinman of Jerusalem related that whatever issue his father then faced, was immediately resolved upon printing the Sefer. Similarly R. Moshe Sternbuch relates (see: Ma’aseh Rav HaChadash by R. Sternbuch) that those who were involved with the Seforim of the Ba’al Hapardes merited to see miracles beyond their belief. 

In more recent years, R. Chaim Kanievsky would encourage the reprinting and studying of Sefer Ohr Hashanim, which was brought to fruition by his faithful attendant R. Yitzchak Oheb-Zion of Bnei Brak. He too has witnessed and heard jaw-dropping stories of the many miracles and salvation brought to those who were involved with the sacred works of the Ba’al HaPardes. 

In overall good condition; minor worming, occasionally with loss of text. Some headers trimmed with loss. 

[1], 1-3, 9-42 pp.