Siddur Rabbi Ya’akov Emden . Volume I: Amudei Shamayim [prayers for weekdays and Shabbat]; Volume II: Sha’arei Shamayim [prayers for festivals]. Printed at the author’s home in Altona, 1745-1747. First edition.
First edition of the renowned siddur,
Siddur Rabbi Ya’akov Emden (later known as
Siddur Beit Ya’akov ), with the halachahs and Kabbalistic commentary by the Ya’avetz.
This first edition is known as a segulah, and tzaddikim said about it that prayers are always fulfilled for one who prays from it! Despite the fact that
Siddur Rabbi Ya’akov Emden was printed with Ashkenaz text, it was especially accepted in Chassidic circles and was even printed in other editions (some with Sephard text!) with approbations from leading Admo”rim.
The Rebbe of Ruzhin wrote in his approbation: “Based on foundations of gold and quarried to instruct in the proper path with a pure mind regarding prayer.” The Yeshuot Moshe of Vizhnitz writes in his approbation: “… This prayer book never left the tables of our sacred rabbis and ancestors, may their memories protect us, who used it at every opportunity, especially during the Passover seder.” This siddur was later printed in many more editions but the later editions contained many changes and errors, whether intentional or unintentional.
This first edition is rare and sought-after for over two hundred years. As the Admo”r Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl wrote in his approbation to the second edition about the siddur that was printed in Koritz in 1818, since the Ya’avetz’s words are beloved, these siddurim are already distant memories and there is not even one to be found in town.
Siddurim used over the generations served their purpose – refined prayer. Many siddurim from all over the world have many usage marks.
This siddur – both its parts – are in especially
impressive condition, and it is evident that they have hardly been used to this day.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of
Rabbi Ya’akov Emden .
Ginzei Yisrael , no. 214.
Stefansky,
Sifrei Yessod 415.
Two parts in two volumes.
Volume I: [2], 2-356, 354-385, 389-415, 417-418 leaf; Volume II: [1], 2-159 leaf. 17 cm.
Very fine condition. Brown paper, as is common in Altona prints of the time, and aging stains. Two impressive magnificent leather bindings.