Pesach Haggadah with Vilna Gaon’s Commentary.
First Edition. Horodna, 1805. Very Rare Copy!
Haggadah shel Pesach with commentary, laws and elucidation by the Vilna Gaon, compiled by his disciple Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Shklov. These commentaries were heard first hand from his Rebbi, the Vilna Gaon, on the Seder night!
Very Rare Copy. On leaf 33b after ‘Yishtabach’ it is printed: "And so he conducted himself [the Vilna Gaon] not to say Yehalelucha." This passage is missing from most copies.
In hundreds of editions of Haggados in subsequent generations, the Vilna Gaon’s chiddushim that were first printed here are quoted!
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Shklov was one of the preeminent disciples of the Vilna Gaon who disseminated his wisdom to the masses. He vividly describes the exalted period in his life when he was privileged to dwell in the midst of the Vilna Gaon as follows:
“And Hashem granted my favor in his eyes, and I served him with all my might. Throughout the two years, minus a third of a year, that I was near him, I never left him alone. I held fast to him and did not leave go; and I did not sway from his tent by day or night. Wherever he walked I walked, and wherever he slept, I slept; and my hand did not move from his ever. He opened for me the key of wisdom and taught me many precious things.” (Preface to ‘Shaar Hatzimtzum’)
Harav Menachem Mendel of Shklov included the commentary of the pious kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Gekatillia in this Haggadah.
Horodna, 1805. First edition.
Page Count: [1], 3-36 leaves.
Page size: 28 cm.
Condition: Wine stains; ornate new leather binding.
Bibliography: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod #456; Winograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGr”a #509. Yudelov Otzar Hahaggados #482.
