"The Holy Sefer" Chovos HaLevavos, Mantua 1559 – Foundational Edition
Chovos HaLevavos, a sefer of Mussar and Emunah in the existence of Hashem, by Rabbeinu Bachya ben Yosef ibn Paquda, one of the great Rishonim who lived in Saragossa, Spain.
This edition, printed in Mantua in 1559,
is one of the earliest and has served as the basis for most subsequent editions up to our times.
Chovos HaLevavos was greatly cherished by the gedolim of chassidus and is frequently quoted in their teachings.
The holy Rebbe, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, Zy”a, even referred to it as "the holy sefer Chovos HaLevavos" (Noam Elimelech, Parshas Chayei Sarah).
The title page bears ownership inscriptions.
Foundational Edition: The sefer was originally written in Arabic, like many seforim from that era in Spain, which was still under Muslim rule, and was later translated into Lashon HaKodesh by Rabbi Yehuda ibn Tibbon. This edition includes corrections noted as S”A (Seferim Acherim), which were incorporated into most future editions.
