Rav Chaim Palagi 

Sefer Torah v'Chaim, Maareches Samach, siman 217

(designated in the sefer as “ר טוב” as a remez for “טוב”)   

Summary of Passage

Rav Chaim Palagi writes that one who publishes Torah books from his own funds to bring Torah to light merits to sit among the Torah scholars who authored the works themselves, since through him their Torah continues to be revealed and studied in this world.

He further explains the principle of “שפתותיו דובבות בקבר,” that through continued study of a sage’s Torah, his presence is sustained after death, and that one who brings his works to publication is considered as extending that presence. He adds that the publisher is met in the World to Come by the Torah scholars whose works he helped bring to light, who go out to greet him upon his arrival.

Rav Palagi then strengthens this idea by citing a report in Sefer Ben Avraham of a dream in which a simple person was seen sitting alongside a great Torah scholar who had passed away. The dreamer was astonished at how this ordinary individual merited such proximity, and it was later understood that this was due to his having published and disseminated the scholar’s Torah works.

Rav Palagi concludes by discussing whether this act may be considered akin to the mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah. He further references his own other work in which he enumerates ten ma’alos for one who financially supports the publication of a sefer, underscoring the elevated status of enabling the dissemination of Torah through print.

Chidushei HaRim

Sefer Shivisi Ezer by Rav Nosson Rafael Auerbach (quoting earlier sources)

Summary of Passage

The Chidushei HaRim states that the printing of manuscripts of our holy sages is considered a form of Pidyon Shevuyim. 

Sefer Chasidim (Simanim 105, 261 / ק"ה, רס"א)

ספר חסידים סימן קה: "כל מצוה שאין לה דורש ואין מי שיבקש אותה, תדרשנה, לפי שהיא כמת מצוה, ומצוה שאין לה רודפים, 

רדוף אחריה לעשותה. שהמצוה מקטרגת ואומרת כמה גרועה אנכי שנתעלמתי מכל וכל". 

ספר חסידים סימן רסא: "אהוב לך את המצוה הדומה למת מצוה, שאין לה עוסקים, כגון שתראה מצוה בזויה או תורה שאין לה 

עוסקים, כגון שתראה שבני עירך לומדים מועד וסדר נשים, תלמוד סדר קדשים, ואם תראה שאין חוששים 

ללמוד מועד קטן ופרק מי שמתו, אתה תלמדם ותקבל שכר גדול כנגד כולם, כי הם דוגמת מת מצוה..."

Summary of Passages

Sefer Chasidim – Siman ק"ה

Any mitzvah which has no one to pursue or engage in it should be pursued, and compares it to a met mitzvah, emphasizing the obligation to take up neglected mitzvot.

Sefer Chasidim – Siman רס״א

One should love a mitzvah that is like a met mitzvah, such as a mitzvah or area of Torah that is neglected or not actively studied, and gives examples of areas of Torah learning that may be overlooked and require renewed engagement.