Noam Elimelech by the sacred Admo”r Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk – the greatest of the Chassidic sifrei segulah . Lemberg edition, 1861.
Signature on the title page: “Akiv’ Yosef” – none other than the gaon Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, one of the leading zealots and protector of the authentic Jewish spark (see below). Next to it are his personal stamps in blue ink.
Rabbi Akiva belonged to the most strict circle of Chareidim in Hungary, who fought against every deviation – even the most minimal – from traditional ways. Already in his youth, he was known as a major zealot. At the age of just 25, he published his work Lev HaIvri , which created a major uproar. Rabbi Akiva was very wealthy and generous, full of deep and innovative ideas. Very little was known until now about his relationship with the Chassidic movement.
As such, this is a real discovery: This most important Chassidic work, that belonged to one of the leading zealots!
In the anthology Etz Chaim – Bobov , there is a fascinating letter from Rabbi Menachem Mendel Budik, author of Seder HaDorot HeChadash , that was sent to Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, in which he explains to him about the topic of devotion to tzaddikim and the ways of the Chassidim. (Booklet 11, New York, 2010, pp 39-44)
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief discussion of the sefer Noam Elimelech .
73 leaf, lacking the last leaf and part of leaf 73. 24 cm.
Overall fine condition. Adhesions in the title page. Slight wear in the margins of the first leaves. Usage marks. Beautiful simple new binding.