Nefesh HaChayim, An Introduction by the Author's Son

The motivation for this is that everyone who authors a text starts with an introduction at the beginning of his book. Some have the custom to inform us what to expect to unfold in the book. Some inform us of the book’s key purpose and the intention of its utility. Some follow the path of expressing that humility and fear of God-H’ precedes their wisdom, to humble himself using words of Torah, so as not to boast about his composition. And if he should appoint his son to arrange its printing, lo, it falls to the son to recount the fatherly author’s valor and to make known the text’s glory. Each is praiseworthy in its own way5Paraphrasing Mishlei 27:21.