“… take it and bring blessing into your home, taste it and your eyes will light up …” (Sha’ar Kedushat HaLevi – from the first edition which is before us).
First editions of two of the Chassidic books from the patriarchs of Chassidism: The Rebbe Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. Bound together (with separate title pages).
* Divrei Shmuel on Torah portions and festivals by the Rebbe Rabbi Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg. Lemberg, 1862. 58 leaves. (Stefansky Chassidut 124.)
* Kedushat Levi on Pirkei Avot Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. The book’s title page states that it was printed according to a manuscript that was in the maggid of Kozhitz’s archive. Lemberg, 1862. 8 leaves. (Stefansky Chassidut 512.)
Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg [1726-1778] was one of the leaders of Chassidut and chief rabbi of Moravia. He was a disciple of the maggid of Mezeritch and brother of Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz, author of Hafla’ah . He served as rabbi of Nikolsberg, and future [rabbinic] world leaders studied in his yeshivah. His disciples included: Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Kaliv and Rabbi Mordechai Bennet (who later served as rabbi of the city). Also, the “Maggid of Kozhnitz,” Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, and the “Chozeh of Lublin.”
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev [1740-1809] was one of the greatest Chassidic Admo”rs. He is called by the name of his book, “the author of Kedushat Levi .” He is known by the nickname, “Sanegoram shel Yisrael” [“Defense attorney of the Jews”]. He was famous for his greatness in Torah, both the revealed and the hidden. He was additionally known for his righteousness, sanctity and great enthusiasm in divine service to the point that Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said that when Rabbi Levi Yitzchak says “The Creator,” sparks spray from his forehead. The supplication for after Shabbat which begins “G-tt fun Avraham” is attributed to him.
24 cm. Fine condition. Worming perforations, primarily in the binding. Simple binding.
Bound together with three Chassidic books:
* Maggid Devarav L’Ya’akov by the maggid of Mezeritch. Lemberg. 1863.
* Noam Elimelech by Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. Lemberg. 1863.
* Divrei Emet by Rabbi Ya’akov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz. Lemberg, 1864.