Although I usually collect either Anglo-Jewry items or antique Hebrew books, I was struck by the poignant story of Rabbi Zvi Hirsch ben Moshe Lass, and his book, Ateres Zvi, which I bought from the New York bookseller Israel Mizrachi.
Rabbi Lass was born in Girkalnis, Kovno Province, in 1849. He studied under his uncle before joining the Perushim of Eisiskes for three years. He then went to Vilna and received semicha (his rabbinical diploma) from Rabbi Isaac Elhanan Spektor and Rabbi Isaac Harif of Slonim.
Rabbi Lass was appointed the rabbi of Jieznas in 5931 [1871]. Because his community could not support him financially, he immigrated to New York in 5644 [1884]. There he was known as the Yezner Rav. He worked as a kashrus supervisor under the Rabbinical Court of Chief Rabbi Jacob Joseph for twelve years. He was an active legal authority in the early American Orthodox Jewish community, signing official kosher certifications.
Ateres Tzvi, which was published in 1902, is a slim book containing homiletics and analytical articles on Aggadah and Torah.
In a touching and bitter introduction Rabbi Lass writes, “Originally, [when I first came to New York,] …I planned to publish [from my manuscript] the section of responsa [on tractate Gittin of the Talmud} called Geresh Yerahim, because in it there are many important matters of practical halakhah (Jewish Law). 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., Ateres 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 (Jewish law), that is, the book Geresh Yerahim.”
Rabbi Lass published the section on Aggadah first because “here interest in halakhah (Jewish law) is in a low state.”
Rabbi Lass died on April 11, 1901 – Nissan 22nd, 5661 and is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. His book was publish posthumously after he died.
