Yismach Moshe on the Torah, Part I on Bereshit and Shemot, and Part II on Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim, by Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Sighet: Moshe Blumenfeld and Yechiel Michel David, 1898. Two parts in one volume.

Third, corrected edition of Yismach Moshe, brought to print by Rebbe Moshe David Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Magyarlápos (Târgu Lăpuș), grandson of the Yitav Lev of Sighet, with additions and corrections. In his introduction (page 2b), the Rebbe of Magyarlápos tells how his grandfather, the Yitav Lev, asked him to print a new edition of Yismach Moshe: “…He gave me his handwritten permission to print Yismach Moshe for a second time… but I was not able to, because I was occupied with my grandfather’s instruction to print Yitav Panim, Responsa Avnei Tzedek and Rav Tuv…” He goes on to recount how two of the Yitav Lev’s grandchildren aided him in printing the book: Rebbe Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, the Atzei Chaim, Av Beit Din of Sighet, and R. Naftali Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Nyírbátor.

On the reverse side of the Part II title page are genealogical records of the author and his family, as found in the author’s manuscript.

Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, Av Beit Din of Ujhel (1759-1841), the Yismach Moshe, an illustrious Chassidic leader in Hungary and Galicia, and progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar Chassidic dynasties. An outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist, he was an expert in both the revealed and hidden Torah. He was famed during his lifetime as a holy wonderworker possessing ruach hakodesh. He first served as rabbi in Shinova from 1785-1808, and subsequently in 1808 he was appointed rabbi and Av Beit Din of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely) and the region. Rebbe Moshe was originally opposed to Chassidut, and in his youth he traveled to study with the Vilna Gaon. He joined Chassidut at a later age, influenced by his son-in-law, R. Aryeh Leib Lipschitz, Av Beit Din of Vishnitza (Nowy Wiśnicz), author of Responsa Aryeh DeVei Ila'i, who convinced him to travel to the Chozeh of Lublin. With the Chozeh he became aware of clear manifestations of ruach hakodesh, and from that point on he became his close disciple, devoting himself to the Chassidic way and spreading its teachings in his regions. He likewise traveled to visit the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. Starting in 1815, he began to distribute amulets to those in need of salvation, thereby performing countless wonders. It is told that he hesitated about whether to continue making amulets until he heard a heavenly voice calling out to him while he was awake: "Do not fear, for I am with you" (Tehillah LeMoshe). To this day, most of the amulets and shemirot in Ashkenazic lands are attributed to the amulets of the Yismach Moshe, including the printed shemirot for children and child-bearing women and for plague. The famous "Keresterir's amulets", which were written by rebbes as a Segulah to guard one's house and property, originate with the Yismach Moshe.

Two parts in one volume. Part I: [2], 203 leaves. Part II: [2], 154 leaves; 50 pages (several sheets are bound out of order). Approx. 27 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases and wear. Fragile paper. Minor marginal tears. Fine new leather binding.