Rabbi Samson Refael Hirsch’s manuscript featuring elucidations on chapters of Psalms (120-125), with references to various sources in Tanach.
Specifications: [10] pages, 28×22 cm. Manuscript in German (Deutsche Kurrentschrift). Rav Samson Refael Hirsch wrote this manuscript and the rest of his translation and elucidation on the ‘Shir HaMa’alot’ chapters in a series of articles printed in “Yeshurun”, 1867. This manuscript was printed there, pages 1-11, 33-42.
Unique features: The manuscript is titled: “Die ie fuenfzehn Altjuedischen “Aufwaerts”- Lieder” (Fifteen ancient Jewish Shir Hama’alot), however it only features six of these Psalms (chapters 120-125). Each chapter of Psalms opens with a title (the essence of the chapter), followed by a translation and commentary, except for chapter 123, which has a commentary but no title or translation.
Background: Rabbi Samson Refael Hirsch (1808-1888) fashioned the “Torah im Derech Eretz” school of thought and a new Orthodoxy in Germany. He was one of the leading opponents of the Reform movement, which had spread at the time through many Jewish communities in Germany. When he was appointed rabbi of Frankfurt am Main in 1851, he began working to improve the spiritual conditions of the Jewish youth and exerted much effort to establish a Jewish school where the students would learn Torah and secular subjects. Rav Hirsch used his writings (in German, so that they would be more widely read) to pave paths to the hearts of Jewish youth so that they could overcome the spiritual challenges of the time. He notes his mission in his introduction to his articles: “To fill the spirits and souls with the thoughts of David”.
Conditon: Very fine condition. New, elegant leather binding.