Lot 137
Birkat David on the Torah – First Edition
Birkat David, Chassidic explanations on the Five Books of the Torah, by Rabbi Avraham David Warman of Buchach. [Lvov, 1845].
Year of printing written in Hebrew 5565 which is 1805 and in foreign language 1800, name of printing press: Jihdas Rosanis. The name of the printer and the two dates (which contradict) are forged. The real date of printing is hinted in the signature of the person who brought the book to the printing press, at the end of the book the words "tefilla l'Elokei David" are bold hinting to 5605 which is 1845. This type of forgery was done to Chassidic books printed in Galicia at that time due to censors and the persecution of the Maskilim (the Enlightenment Movement) of the Chassidim [A. Ya'ari counts 16 books forged in this manner. See: A. Ya'ari, Printing Press of Rabbanit Yehudit Rosanis in Lvov, Kiryat Sefer, 17, 700, page 107, no. 43].
On the reverse side of the title page, the verse "Torat Hashem temima" is printed in large letters and under the verse is a statement that approbations were not printed "for hidden reasons". Apparently, also the omission of approbations was part of the effort to hide the printing details for reasons stated above.
Rebbe Avraham David Warman of Buchach, author of "Da'at Kdoshim" and "Eshel Abraham", (1771-1841, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, Vol. 1, pages 68-72), son-in-law of Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Kara (author of “Neta Sha'ashuim”), disciple of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, Rabbi of Yazlovets and Buchach, a posek and mekubal, author of “Eshel Avraham” and other books.
[2], 182 leaves. 22.5 cm. Good condition, stains, moth marks. Rebound.
Stefansky Chassidut 100.
