Ruach Chaim . Commentary on Pirkei Avot. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. Vilna, 1858. First edition.
Specifications : 17, 41 leaves. Thick paper. 21 cm. Additional pre-title page. Winograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGR”A , 1458.
Pirkei Avot is printed on the page’s center, surrounded by the commentary. A handwritten manuscript was ready to be printed during the author’s lifetime, as mentioned in the introduction of Nefesh HaChaim’s first edition, Vilna [1824]. The author’s son and successor, Rabbi Yitzchak of Volozhin, wrote there that the work on Pirkei Avot would be called Ruach Chaim . However Rabbi Yitzchak did not merit to publish the composition in his lifetime. Eventually it was published by the author’s grandson, Rabbi Eliyahu Shlomo Zalman son of Rabbi Yitzchak, together with his son-in-law, Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Levin. Contains an important introduction by Rabbi Avraham Simchah of Stanisławów, student and nephew of Rabbi Chaim’s, also editor and publisher of the GR”A’s commentary on Sifra DeTzniuta and Nefesh HaChaim . Also includes an approbation by Rabbi Yisrael of Salant, founder of the Mussar movement.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. Disintegrated cover.