Sermons and elucidations on the weekly Torah readings and Ethics of the Father, by Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein, the Maggid of Kosnitz.
Specifications: [4], 90, 32 leaves. 19 cm. Two title pages. Light-blue paper. First edition. Stefansky, Chassidut #452.
Unique features: Approbation from his grandson, Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel of Mogielnica; Rabbi Yitzchak of Vorki; his disciple, the Chiddushei HaRim; Saba Kadisha of Radoshitz; and Rabbi Yeshaya Muskat of Prague. In his preface, the publisher writes that chassidic leaders longed to see this work in print: “I heard from the Admor, my father-in-law…[of Mogielnica] in the name of his rebbe, the rebbe of Mezibuzh…[the Ohev Yisrael of Apta], and from a number of maggidim, that the publication of this work from the great tzaddik is a a great light and salvation…”
Background: The Maggid of Kosnitz was a prominent Polish Admor of his time. He was born in Apta in 1737. He stayed with his father-in-law in Peshischa, where he was became acquainted with chassidut. He travelled to Rebbe Shmelke of Nikolsburg, who sent him to the Maggid of Mezeritsch who accepted him with great enthusiasm. After the death of the Maggid of Mezeritsch, he followed Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, and was considered one of his four most prominent disciples who inherited his spiritual qualities. Rabbi Yisrael is considered to have inherited Rebbe Elimelech’s powers of the heart. In 1765, he was acceped as preacher in Kosnitz, and in 1786 he was leader to thousands of chassidim. He and the Chozeh of Lublin were the primary chassidic leaders in Poland. The Maggid was a genius in Torah and proficient in kabbala. His printed works include halachic responsa, novellae on the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, and comments on the Zohar, Tikunei Zohar, Sefer HaTemunah and Raziel HaMalach. He passed away in Kosnitz in 1815 [Encylclopedia L’Chassidut, section two, p. 542].
Condition: Very fine. New, deluxe leather binding. Professional restoration in the margins of the title page. Aging stains. Light tears in the blank margins of the last leaf.