Sefer Tzofnat Paneach – text on mathematics in the Torah way, with insights on Sha”s(!) discussing math, authored by the math expert, Rabbi Yosef Shlipirz of Horodshitz. Zhitomir, Yitzchak Moshe Baksht Press, 1873.
Personal copy that belonged to the wonder-worker Rabbi Mordechai Zusha Twerski, third Admo”r in the Trisk dynasty [son of the sacred Rabbi Menachem Nachum, eldest son of the Maggid of Trisk]. Many signatures and stamps from the Admo”r appear along the leaves of the book. The stamps appear in various forms.
This is a math textbook for Chareidim who study math in order to understand various Talmudic topics, some of which are completely incomprehensible without mathematical knowledge. The last leaves in the book contain “some calculations from Sha”s …” that deal with various Torah topics which require mathematical knowledge. The author himself writes at the end of the book, “And before I leave my book, I will call out to Hashem with all my heart … You know the hidden parts of my heart, that I did not do this for my own renown, only to teach Jewish boys not to waste their time on nonsense, but busy themselves with this. It is also beneficial for their studies in Sha”s and mishnayot.
The libraries of various rabbis and Admo”rim over the generations consist of texts and works on halachah, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Tana”ch, prayer and the like. It is very rare to find a “common” book that is not necessarily Torani. However, it was clearly obvious that rabbis needed books like this one for their studies, albeit only for a single use. By studying this book, one can understand mathematical principles, after which one no longer needs it. As such, books like this one coming from Torah figures are very rare.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo”r Rabbi Mordechai Zusha Twersky .
98 (should be: 68) pp. Lacking [1] folded table that is not present in most copies. Approximately 21.5 cm. The last two leaves are printed in a smaller format, and were apparently added to only some copies. ( Mif’al HaBibliographiah lists these two leaves from a copy found in Mossad HaRav Kook. They are not present in the copy scanned by the National Library.) Many additional handwritten notations, not closely examined. Paper pasted (upside-down) on the back protected leaf with several handwritten lines.
Overall moderate-fine condition. Many usage marks and stains. Isolated worming perforations in the margins of some of the leaves. New binding.