Ma’aseh Rokeach al HaTorah by the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Elazar Rokeach, patriarch of Belz Chassidism. Includes several parts: A. Torah sermons, B. ‘Kuntress Ma’asaeh HaMishkan, ‘ C. ‘Yayin HaRokeach’ – sermons on some mishnahs according to their simple interpretations.
Before us is the first edition, printed from a manuscript that was in the possession of his grandsons, Rabbi Ephraim of Radvil and Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel of Karlin [Pinsk]. With several supplements from the author’s descendants.
The gaon Rabbi Elazar Rokeach [1685-1742] was Av Beit Din of Amsterdam and a G-dly Kabbalist. He was also called ‘the Ma’aseh Rokeach’ after this book before us. He was known for his piousness and righteousness, and was a rabbi of various Eastern European communities. He was later appointed Ashkenazic rabbi of Amsterdam. He moved to the Land of Israel in 1740/1 and resided in Safed. The Chid”a writes about the book’s author: “The gaon, the pious Rabbi Elazar of Krakow, son of R’ Shmuel, who wrote the book Ma’aseh Rokeach … I heard wondrous things about his piousness and his expertise.” Admo”rs of the Chassidic movement, led by the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples, admired him and spoke of him using superlative terms. The dynasty of Belz Admo”rim consists of his descendants, and their surname is his, “Rokeach.”
[1], 53; 15, 17-31 leaves. Undeciphered rabbinic owner’s signature on the title page.
Fine condition: Aging stains. Two individual worming perforations. Slight restoration to the white margins of the title page. Beautiful new binding.