Machazor HaGra for Rosh HaShana containing laws, customs, comments and explanations culled from the writings of the Gaon of Vilna has just arrived in this country from Jerusalem
The compiler, Rabbi Zvi Yeshoshua Leitner, who studies in a Kollel in the holy city, is no Panim Hadashot in rabbinic literature. In recent years, he has published from manuscript responsa and Talmudic novellae for Gedolei Yisrael. He is also the author of a book on the customs of the Jews of Frankfort.
In his introduction to Mahzar HaGra he writes that following in the footsteps of those who have collected the laws, customs and comments of the Gaon of Vilna on the daily prayer book, he has assembled the Gaon’s comments on the prayers and Piyutim of Rosh HaShana.
Though we have no comments by the Gaon relating directly to the prayers – Rabbi Leitner explains there is much pertinent material in the Gaon’s commentaries on the Bible. Wherever the prayers incorporate entire verses or parts of verses from the Bible we can apply to them the Biblical comments of the Gaon. We can do so also when the prayers include no Biblical quotations proper but are based on the language of the Bible. In addition to the Biblical commentaries of the Gaon, Rabbi Leitner has made much use of the Gaon’s dissertations on Millim Nirdafot (words of similar meaning.)
In the Gaon’s teachings Nigle and Nistar are intertwined. In Mahzor HaGra only the Nigle has been quoted.
Rabbi Leitner also discusses the attitude of the Gaon to the saying of Piyyutim; he included in the Mahzor only those Piyuttim which are said in the (Lithuanian) Yeshivot.
The compiler has culled the Gaon’s interpretation, comments and explanations from the Gaon’s own writings and from works in which he is quoted. He has added to these comments by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin and Rabbi Abraham, the son of the Gaon, especially from the latter’s Be’er Avraham, a commentary on the Psalms.
The comments on the passages which are being read from the Torah, were taken from Peh Kadosh by Rabbi Yitzchok (ben Chaim) of Volozhin.
The Gaon’s laws and customs too have been culled from a variety of sources.
(Rabbi Betzalel Landau in his book on the Gaon of Vilna, p. 91) mentions two Rosh HaShana customs of the Gaon which I could not find in the Magzor. According to one of these the Gaon did not perform Tashlich at a river. See also Rabbi Yaakov Gellis Minhagei Eretz Yisrael, p. 180: Many Prushim, in accordance with the custom of the Gaon say Tashlich in the synagogue or at home.
The Mahzor which carries an approbation Ray Rabbi Elazar Schach, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevez open up with a sermon delivered by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin on the first day of Selichot 5672)1812(
Rabbi Leitner has put much effort and love into this world and he has succeeded in producing a very interesting and valuable volume. All admirers of the Gaon will be indebted to him.
The Jewish Press, Friday, September 9,1988