Torah

1902 — First edition. Original paper wrappers rebound in period boards. 8vo, 78 pages, 26 cm. In Hebrew. Goldman 716. Author’s ownership stamp on front end page. Title translates to “Aggadah and Homiletics: Including Articles, Rulings, and Elucidations on the Legends. ” Rabbi Zevi ben Moses Lass (b. 1849) , was born in Girkalnis, Kovno Province. He studied under his uncle before joining the Perushim of Eisiskes for three years. He then went to Vilna and was ordained by Rabbi Isaac Elhanan Spektor and Rabbi Isaac Harif of Slonim. He was appointed the rabbi of Jieznas in 1871 but due to the financial instability of the community, he immigrated to New York in 1884. There he served as a preacher, he was known as the "Yezner Rav" and as a kashrut supervisor under the authority of Chief Rabbi Jacob Joseph for twelve years. In the introduction to this book, Rabbi Lass writes, "'Originally, [when I first came to New York, ] ...I planned to publish [from my ms. The] section of responsa [on gittin called Geresh Yerahim] because there within are many important matters of practical halakhah. However, after my wheel [of fortune] turned I was left without any support and not one penny remained in my hands. I concluded that I should [instead] publish the section on aggadah and homiletics [i. E. , Ateret Zevi]. It is my hope that this section will attract many of my brethren among the children of Israel in this land to support me and my household, and also so that I will be able to disseminate from my wellspring all my novel interpretations in halakhah, i. E. , the book Geresh Yerahim. " Rabbi Lass published the section on aggadah first because "here interest in halakhah is in a low state. ” SUBJECTS: Jewish sermons, Hebrew. Aggada -- Commentaries. Aggada. Jewish sermons, Hebrew. OCLC lists 4 copies worldwide (Brandeis, YU, HUC, JTS) , none west or south of Cincinnati. Binding repaired. Minor wear to boards. Internally Very Good. (HEB-48-52A)