Succas Dovid in English Bereishis & Shemos By Harav Dovid Kviat shlit”a

Reviewed by M. Davidson

The world of Jewish-Orthodox English literature has recently been graced by the translation and publication of the first volume of the Sefer Succas Dovid. This monumental work, the original set of which totals to thirty and some odd volumes, includes chiddushim and commentary on Torah, holidays, and all of the widely studied mesechtos in Shas. Its astounding clarity and elucidation of simple meaning have profoundly affected the minds and hearts of Torah scholars and Yeshiva students throughout the world for many years.

A review of this sefer must begin, I feel, with my personal recollection of my visits, in recent years, to one of the renowned Roshei Yeshiva and Torah giants in Yerushalayim. More than once, I found him delving into the intricate commentaries of the Succas Dovid on the Shas. When I questioned his constant use of the sefer, his reply was simple- “I do not move on in my learning without the Succas Dovid.” Indeed, this work has proven indispensable to many.

The translation to English and publication of the first volume of the Succas Dovid is a momentous event, and one that marks a most impressive accomplishment. The effort put into a perfect publication by the Maimonides Institute of Haifa, Israel is clearly apparent. The words of our Sages, “meritorious deeds are effected through meritorious persons,” are certainly relevant. The Machon HaRambam, with HaRav Yehuda Assaf at its helm, has indeed merited to publicize the glory of Torah in a glorified vessel, this being but one of the many worthy activities that they pursue. The translation, by Rabbi Ariel Walden, is the rare combination of stylistic beauty with unsurpassed clarity, and utmost accuracy.

In following the dictum of “Let your Eyes Behold your Teachers,” the book’s cover is graced by the photo of its great author, HaRav Dovid Kviat shlita. Rosh Mesivta in the Mir and Rav of the Chafetz Chaim Branch of Agudas Yisrael in Brooklyn, HaRav Kviat’s humility and simplicity bespeaks a greatness reminiscent of Pre-War Europe. His soft spoken words, pearls of wisdom, have graced countless gatherings and conventions of Agudas Yisrael. While he flees honor, it pursues him as his written words of Torah proclaim the depth of his knowledge and erudition. As Rav Assaf mentions in his introduction to the Sefer, many important scholars, though they did not know the author personally, found within his seforim a special air of holiness and purity. “Such a description befits a man in whom the traits of wisdom, piety, and greatness converge.”

The Torah thoughts found in the Succas David reflect the author’s love and fear of G-d, and love for his fellow man. On the first Rashi in Chumash Bereishis, the author expounds on the Toarh’s beginning from the story of creation, rather than the first commandment of Rosh Chodesh. As Rashi explains, this was to inform the nations of the greatness of He who gave the land of Israel to the Jews, and to serve as a defense against the accusation that the Jews had stolen the land. Rav Kviat writes; “what an awesome message this is! Rashi is effectively saying that just for the sake of revealing the secrets of creation, G-d would not have chosen to begin His Torah with Genesis. Rather what reason was deemed compelling enough? That the honor of the nation of Israel was at stake. This demonstrates clearly in what esteem Israel was held… It also teaches us how careful we must be to honor our fellow man. Love thy fellow as thyself- is one of the great principles of the Torah. Indeed it is one of the first lessons of the Torah.” And, indeed, we feel it important to add, this principle is personified by the author of this great work. As the author asserts in his letter to Rav Assaf; “the Jewish nation is holy!,“ This precept is so ingrained in the persona of the author that it permeates his many works.

We can only conclude on the accuracy of Rav Assaf’s words- this book is indeed worthy of finding its rightful place on the Shabbos tables of Jewish homes, and in Batei Medrash throughout the world.

After five hundred years, the Sefer Yesod Mishne Torah, of Rav Yehuda

Albotini z”l, has been published.

The excitement generated in the Torah World by the publication of the first two volumes of the Yesod Mishne Torah has been tremendous.  This sefer was authored by Rav Yehuda Albotini, who lived in Jerusalem over five hundred years ago.

The transcripts, written by the hand of the original author, have traveled to various places around the world, and found their way, several years ago, to the Maimonidies Institute of Haifa, Yad Harav David Assaf.  A staff of dedicated scholars labored on the clarification and publication of these volumes, which was made possible by the noted philanthropist, Mr. Hersh Friedman of Montreal, Canada.

In the forward to the sefer, Rav Yehuda Assaf, president of the Institute, mentions that the Chida, in his Sefer Shem Hagedolim, includes clarifications and sources of the Yesod Mishne Torah, and calls it treasured “vintage.”  Furthermore, his Sefer Sulam Ha’aliya is deeply rooted in Kabbalistic concepts.

Recently, the noted philanthropist, Mr. Hersh Friedman, visited the Institute in Haifa.  He and a delegation of the leaders of the Institute were greeted with much excitement by the gedolim whom they visited.  Included amongst them were Hagaon Rav Aryeh Leib Steinman, Hagaon Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, Hagaon Rav Chaim Kaniefsky, and Hagaon Rav Shmuel Aurbach.  All took great pleasure at the sight of the published volumes.  Rabbanim and leaders the world over have expressed their astonishment that the sefer was not printed until now, as well as their excitement at its recent publication.

The two volumes which have been published are based on the Sefer Hamada and the Sefer Ahava of the Rambam.  Scholars, lead by the new dean of the Institute, Rabbi David Assaf, grandson of the famous founder,continue to work towards the coming publication of future volumes.