Sha’ar HaTefillah. The essence of prayer in the Chassidic and Kabbalistic approach, by Rabbi Chaim [Tirer] of Czernowitz, author of Sidduro Shel Shabbat and Be’er Mayim Chaim. On the title page: Mohilev [and in reality: Sudylkow]. [1825]. First edition.
Specifications: 10, 102, 113-115 leaves. 19 cm. Blue paper. Stefansky, Chassidut 583.
Background: First edition of the important book written by Rabbi Chaim of Czernowitz, one of the greatest chassidim of all time. The author immigrated to Israel in 1813 and settled in Safed, where he was buried in a cave bearing his name. He wrote this book about prayer in Israel “When he was holy with the holiness of the land of life”. The book was printed only a few years after his death.
On the title page, in large letters, “Mohilev” is written, but the book was really printed in Sudylkow. Refer to A. Ya’ari, Hadefus HaIvri B’Mohilev Al Nahar Dniester, Kiryat Sefer, 23, 1946-1947, page 312. On the title page is a calculation: “Lhitpalel”, i.e. 5575 [1815], but next to it is written “B’asarah”, i.e. add ten to “Lhitpalel” and you receive: 5585 [1925].
Unique Features: At the beginning of the book pages 3, 1-10, 1 (from the first count): there is a long ‘responsum’. The author comments on the words of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, author of the ‘Noda B’Yehuda’ who criticized the Chassidic prayer customs and liturgy. These leaves were omitted in some of the copies, but they are found in the copy before us. All of the index leaves at the end of the book are also present in the copy before us.
Ownership signatures? And a stamp: Yosef Liebman of Chatyń in the holy city of Safed, who was one of the scholars of Safed.
Condition: Fine. New luxurious leather binding. The upper title was cut off by the binder in some of the leaves. On the first and last leaves are slight, professionally restored tears with slight damage to text.