The book Chovot HaLevavot authored by Rabbeinu Bachaye from Spain. With the commentary of “Derech HaKodesh” and “Pachad Yitzchak” authored by the brothers Rabbi Chaim Chaike, known as outstanding in Torah and Chassidut, and his brother Rabbi Yitzchak, the sons of Aharon, of the community Zamutzh. Printed in Frankfurt am Oder [1774].
Only the ‘Shaar HaYichud’ has been printed. With the new commentaries as above. The printing is not complete and ends on leaf 40 in the middle of the commentary. This is how the book is registered in the bibliography ‘the printing is not complete’. Only edition of the book with the commentaries as above.
Unusually rare. With the manuscript of the author. See further ahead.
40 leaves. 21 cm.
At the beginning of the book there are very important approbations over four pages. Amongst them is a particularly long approbation from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Zelechow from the year [1772], when he was 32 years old. Born in [1740].
These words of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, while he was still the Rabbi in Zelechow in the year [1772], were unknown until today. The compilers of his history mention his first approbation only from the year [1775]. See Yitzchak Alfasi, the Encyclopedia of Chassidut, on page 19.
His writings which are brought here from the 24th of Menachem Av [1772] are of great significance, because this year was the year that the ban on Chassidut, of which Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, z”tzl, was one of the founders and leaders, was declared. Yitzchak Alfasi in the encyclopedia brings different sources that in the year the ban was declared [1772] Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was the Rabbi of Pinsk, and he was driven out of there because of the power of the ban. However according to what Alfasi writes correctly, such a thing never happened. Alfasi was right, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was the Rabbi of Zelechow in the year of the ban. Before us we have a long and detailed ‘approbation’ from the end of the year [1772] when he was the Rabbi of Zelechow. [Rabbi Levi Yitzchak became the Rabbi of Berditchev only in the year [1785]. In the middle of this period he was the Rabbi in Pinsk but it is not known exactly when.
Aside from the above-mentioned importance, there is also a long approbation from Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke, one of the founding fathers of Chassidut, and the rebbe of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.
This book was printed in Frankfurt am Oder, and how did it come about that the printers sought approbations from both of these founding fathers and giants of Chassidut?
The answer is: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was born in Hosakov in Galicia, and married the daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Peretz of Lubertov. After his marriage he move to the community of Lubertov where he learnt as chevruta with Rabbi Yosef Teomim, who in time became the Rabbi of Frankfurt am Oder, and the author of the “Pri Megadim”.
There in Lubertov he got to know Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg, and through his influence he travelled to see the Maggid of Mezritch, and the rest of the story is known all over the world…
It’s reasonable to assume that the printers of Frankfurt am Oder heard about both of these giants and leaders of Chassidut from their Rabbi, the author of the “Pri Megadim”, who knew them well from the time of his holy ‘chevruta’ in his youth.
>> In this rare book, on leaf 12: a note that the author of the commentary ‘Derech HaKodesh’ wrote in his own handwriting.
Original semi-leather binding, worn. A tear on the upper left corner of the title page, not quite touching the text. Signs of erasure of the signatures of the owners.
Very good condition. This book is almost unknown in Torah literature.