Kresi Uplesi
Special Copy, Personally Given by the Author Rav Yehonasan Eibeshitz to His Talmid!
Sefer Yesod. First Edition. Metz, 1763
A fundamental work on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah
Chiddushim and elucidations on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah by Rav Yehonasan Eibeshitz, Av Beis Din and Rav of the "Three Communities" Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. The title page states that it was written over the course of about fifty years, while he served in his rabbinical role.
This beautiful and special copy was sent by the author himself to one of his talmidim.
A handwritten inscription by the author’s talmid appears on the title page:
"This sefer was sent to me by my master, teacher and Rabbi, the brilliant author, may his light continue to shine, along with his holy letter. I sent him a gift and then he wrote me at length his holy words, as can be seen from his pleasant letters, which are more precious than gold, which are in my possession from the year 1761. I gave these aforementioned letters to my dear son-in-law, my friend, Rabbi Isaac, may he live."
The talmid signed the title page: "Gedalya G.H."
It is unclear who this talmid was; he was among the hundreds and thousands of Rabbi Eibeshitz’s talmidim. However, it is clear that he had a close relationship with Rav Eibeshitz and they corresponded for several years.
The famous Gaon
Rabbi Yehonasan Eibeshitz (1690-1764), author of ‘Urim VeTumim’, ‘Yearos Devash’ and other sefarim, was known throughout the Jewish communities in the diaspora for his profound genius, his sharpness, his righteousness and holiness. His name was mentioned with respect and admiration by all Gedolei Yisrael of all times. The Yismach Moshe said of him that if he had lived in the generation of the Rambam and the Rashba he would have been like them (Chayei Yonason p. 25).
The Rebbe of Komarna wrote in the name of his Rebbe Rabbi Tzvi Hersh of Zidichov that he said, "About our mighty Gaon, the man of Hashem, Rabbi Yehonasan who merited to see Eliyahu [HaNavi] – who is capable of uttering his praises? If only I could be the dust beneath his feet!" (Netiv Mitzvosecha, Shevil HaEmunah, Chapter 6).
Altona, 1763. First Edition, printed by the author.
Page Count: [3], 35; 165 leaves.
Condition: Good. An impressive copy on clean white paper. Some stains on the last pages. Antique leather leather (slightly worn).
Bibliography: Stefansky Sefer Yesod, No. 177.
‘Kresi Uplesi’ is the only halachic sefer of chiddushim by Rabbi Yehonasan Eibeshitz which was printed during his lifetime.
Each page is divided into three sections. In the center is the text of the Shulchan Aruch and on either side are the ‘Kresi’ and ‘Plesi’. In the ‘Kresi’, all the halachic rulings from both the Rishonim and Achronim are printed, along with the author’s thoughts and whether to innovate or to resolve matters. In the ‘Plesi’, the various pilpulim on the Talmudic debates of Abaye and Rava in the Poskim are presented.
In the preface to the sefer, the author writes about his life story and his other works, as well as mentioning the well-known dispute he had with Rabbi Yaakov Emden.
