Sefer Likkutei Shoshanim al HaTorah – ‘Precious pearls collected from various sefarim and from what I heard from geonei hador – and a few of my own thoughts’ [by Rabbi Hillel Shtroch]. Lemberg, 1875. First edition.
Especially rare sefer not found in the collection at the National Library, nor in the large libraries around the world. It is likewise not listed by Mif’al HaBiblographiah HaIvri nor in Stefansky’s list of Chassidic works. Sefer Chochmei Galicia by bibliographer and researcher Meir Wunder states about it: “Scarce.” There is another edition known to have been printed in Grosswardein in 1944, also uncommon.
Chassidic commentary on the weekly Torah portions in which the author brings material from Chassidic leaders – Rabbi Ya’akov Shimshon of Shpitkova, from the author of Ohev Yisrael of Apta, and from Rabbi Hirsch Elimelech [author of Bnei Yissaschar ]. He also quotes what he heard from the Vilna Gaon, and in the name of Rabbi Mordechai Bennet. The author writes that he received approbations on his sefer from the Admo”r Rabbi Chaim of Sanz and from Rabbi Yosef Shaul Natansohn, ‘apart from other gedolei Yisrael from several places, all tzaddikim of our generation.’
The author writes in his introduction: ‘Hashem knows the mysteries of the heart. My intent in this sefer was not, Heaven forbid, to boast to people, so that they say I am great … Members of my family have all reached their deathbeds and I remain with nothing to my name, there is no hope of bringing my sefer Likkutei Shoshanim al HaTorah to print … perhaps I will build my service to the Creator from this, from a place of expansiveness …” He also writes that he wrote the sefer ‘to bring my children to the chuppah because I have fallen on my deathbed.’
The sefer was written anonymously, but it is written that the author is the one who wrote the work “Hallel HaAcharon” on the gemara. “Sefer Hallel Acharon” was never printed, however, it was known that its author was the tzaddik Rabbi Hillel Shtroch, who authored the work “Pri Hillulim” on basar v’chalav [also not printed], as well as the sefer Aseifat Chachamim al HaTorah [Lvov, 1881]. There, too, the author notes that members of his family became sick with a devastating illness, and they were left with no livelihood.
In his approbation to Aseifat Chachamim by the gaon Rabbi Tz. H. Orenstein, he writes about the author: ‘I know that for many years he studied diligently in poverty.’ He also wrote about him that Rabbi Yoel Ashkenazi of Zlotshov was “a Torah expert and was a faithful attendant for me.’ The Mahara”m Schick wrote about him: ‘ Geonei HaDor attested about him that his sefer is al derech haEmet .”
13 leaf, 23 cm. Uneven page cuts.
Fine condition. Stains. Simple binding. Tear in the margins of the spine.
Bound with:
She’elot U’Teshuvot Mahara”m bar Baruch – the Mahara”m of Rottenburg. Lvov, 1860. First edition.
With comments from Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathansohn.
[1], 3, 63, [1] leaf. 23 cm.