Kuntress Shir Hillulim – Beautiful hymn for the gifting of a Torah Scroll, by Rabbi David Lida of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1680.
The song is constructed of thirteen stanzas to reflect the thirteen attributes of mercy, and bears the acrostic of the author’s name. At the beginning of the compilation: “At the excellent and praiseworthy press of David Tartus, brother of the martyr burnt in sanctification of Hash-m’s Name, Yitzchak Tartus, z”l.” [The martyr Yitzchak Tartus was burned at the stake by the Inquisition in Lisbon.] At the end of the compilations: “By the one who works in the holy craft, Ya’akov Chaim son of the complete sage, Rabbi Moshe Rephael di Cordova z”l of Brazil.”
Rabbi Ya’akov Emden, in his book Torat HaKana’ut , sharply attacks this compilation and accuses it of hidden Sabbateanism, in that it concludes the hymn with the words “תשבי יגאלנו” which hints at Shabbetai Tzvi’s initials. The Ya’ave”tz even calls the compilation Shir Chillulim .
Rabbi David Lida [c. 1632-1697] was a Kabbalist and Av Beit Din in Amsterdam and Metz, one of the leading rabbis of his generation, nephew of Rabbi Moshe Ravkash, author of Be’er HaGolah , and disciple of his uncle, Rabbi Heschel of Krakow, author of Chanukat HaTorah . Rabbi David was even removed from the Amsterdam rabbinate, as a result of the accusations of Sabbateanism, but the rabbis of Va’ad Arba HaAratzot sanctioned him, and excommunicated any rabbi who would succeed him due to the rabbi being illegally removed. Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak of Poznań wrote of him “Kadosh shall be said of him.” The Admo”r Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska (teacher of Rabbi Yeshayaleh of Kerestir) wrote of him, “… elucidates the mitzvahs somewhat according to kabbalah … I have seen no other commentary like this commentary on mitzvahs in such a brief form … May the merit of the author stand by me and my children after me.
[4] pp, 18 cm.
Moderate-fine condition. Minimal tears and minimal worming perforations. Not bound.