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Lot : 48
Kesser Shem Tov – Two Parts First Edition. Zolkiew, 1794–1795.
Kesser Shem Tov – Two Parts
First Edition. Zolkiew, 1794–1795.
A collection of all the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov as published in the works of his disciples — the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonne — together with stories of the Baal Shem Tov.
It was authored by Rabbi Aharon ben Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Apta.
This is the first Chassidic sefer devoted entirely to the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and one of the earliest and most foundational collections of Chassidic thought!
The sefer achieved widespread circulation and was reprinted numerous times.
A first edition in such a complete and fine condition is exceptionally rare.
Beyond its importance as a collection of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings, the sefer is of exceptional significance for its early Chassidic stories, several of which appeared here in print for the first time — some twenty years before the book Shivchei HaBesht.
The teachings were compiled from the foundational Chassidic works Toldos Yaakov Yosef (Koritz, 1780), Ben Porat Yosef (Koritz, 1781), Tzofnas Pane’ach (Koritz, 1782), Maggid Devarav L’Yaakov – Likkutei Amarim (Koritz, 1781), and Likkutim Yekarim (Lvov, 1792).
Printed at the beginning of the sefer are the Baal Shem Tov’s will (leaf 1b), the famous Iggeres of the Baal Shem Tov that was sent to Eretz Yisrael through his disciple, the Toldos Yaakov Yosef (leaf 2a), and the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings on the proper intentions for immersion in the mikveh (leaf 2b).
Rabbi Aharon HaKohen of Apta was one of the most important authors of the Chassidic movement, the author of Ohr HaGanuz and Kesser Nehorah commentary on the siddur. He served as Av Beis Din of Zhelichov, succeeding Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, and later as a posek and Av Beis Din of Apta alongside the Ohev Yisrael. His primary teacher was Rabbi Uziel Meisels of Ritchvohl. His works are some of the most widely studied Chassidic sefarim.
At the beginning of Part I there are approbations by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Liska (Linsk), Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin, and Rabbi Avraham Moshe of Pshevorsk.
Zolkiew, 1794–1795. First Edition.
Zolkiew, 1794–1795. First Edition.
Page Count: Part I (1794): [2], 28 leaves. Part II (1795): [31] leaves.
Size: 18.5 cm.
Condition: Good. Fine new leather binding and protective case.
Condition: Good. Fine new leather binding and protective case.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Chassidus, no. 249; Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 380. For different variants, see Ginzei Yisrael, no. 1146.
