Siach HaSadeh, homilies on the Torah, by R. Eliezer HaLevi, the Maggid of Pinsk. Shklow, [1787]. Only edition.
An acrostic poem by the author, forming his name "Eliezer ben Meir HaLevi", on p. 2b. The last leaves contain: homily for Sukkot; eulogy for R. Aharon HaLevi "Head of the beit din and posek in Kraków", delivered on Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar II 1786; homily for drought; homily for death of children.
The author, R. Eliezer son of R. Meir HaLevi, the Maggid of Pinsk (d. after 1795), rabbi of Chomsk in the early 1780s. In the mid-1790s, he settled in Pinsk and served as rabbi of a kloiz, posek and maggid. R. Eliezer was the grandfather of the first Slonim Rebbe, R. Avraham Weinberg, author of Yesod HaAvodah.
In the past, some researchers erroneously identified the author as R. Eliezer HaLevi "Rosh HaYeshiva", Rabbi of Pinsk, mechutan of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and grandfather of R. Yisrael of Ruzhin, who was venerated by R. Aharon HaGadol of Karlin and R. Pinchas of Korets (see: R. Abish Schorr, Ketavim, Jerusalem 2018, pp. 320-325, 371, 754-755). However, recently it became clear that two people with the name Eliezer HaLevi lived in Pinsk, and that the author of this book is R. Eliezer of Chomsk (see: R. Binyamin Panteliat, Beit Aharon VeYisrael, 155, pp. 147-158).
The book includes an approbation by R. Avigdor Rabbi of Pinsk, one of the biggest adversaries of Chassidism in Lithuania and Belarus. R. Avigdor served as rabbi of Pinsk between 1785-1793, succeeding R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who was dismissed in 1785 due to the bans of the Mitnagdim against the Chassidim. In 1800, R. Avigdor was among the informers to the Russian government against Chassidism and against the Baal HaTanya, causing his second imprisonment at the end of that year. The Baal HaTanya wrote harshly against him: "I cannot anymore endure his blasphemy, humiliations and lies. He fabricates slander…" (Igrot Kodesh of the Baal HaTanya, Brooklyn 2012, p. 293); "Ben Chaim (=Avigdor son of R. Yosef Chaim - Chaimowitz in Russian) by his slander, is the cause of my hardships. In my old age, I have been taken from my home under heavy guard as if I was one of the worse criminals and sent to St. Petersburg…" (ibid, p. 299); "…In Pinsk… he leased the rabbinate, and at the end of the lease he was refused renewal, since he forcefully collected more money than was his due and because they knew that he was accustomed to drinking alcoholic beverages…" (ibid, p. 301); "…I can say this honestly and swear to this" (ibid, p. 305).
The author of this book is the only rabbi of his generation who requested an approbation from R. Avigdor. His second book, Re'ach HaSadeh (Shklow, 1795), also included an approbation by R. Avigdor. (See: Encyclopedia HaIvrit, I, p. 137; R. David Tzvi Hillman, Igrot Baal HaTanya UVenei Doro, Jerusalem 1953, pp. 125-133, 142-144, 149-150; Igrot Kodesh of the Baal HaTanya, Brooklyn 2012, pp. 303-306, and in the index).
Signatures in Sephardic script (Aleppo): "Meir Sultan", "Midrash of the wealthy Chalfon Atiya".
132; 29 leaves. 33 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming (restored). Tears and damages to title page and to many leaves, some affecting text (repaired with paper, with completion of missing text). New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 576.

Toldot Aharon, Chassidic and kabbalistic essays on the Torah portions, by R. Aharon of Zhitomir (close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev). Berditchev (Berdychiv): R. Yisrael Bak, [1817]. First edition. With approbations by great Chassidic leaders: the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and R. Yisrael of Pikov. In all three approbations, the author is termed "the holy light, G-dly man".
Toldot Aharon contains inspirational sermons and guidance in worship of G-d based on Chassidic teachings, recorded by one of the disciples of R. Aharon of Zhitomir, and brought to print within the year of mourning following the passing of his teacher, the author. The book is written in an animated, passionate style, as the approbations describe it: "His holy words enthuse the hearts of the Jewish people towards their Father in Heaven, like a tongue of flame rising heavenwards"; "His words are impassioned like a fiery flame". The book quotes dozens of teachings received by the author from his prime teacher, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, as well as expressions of his exceptional reverence for his teacher.
The author, R. Aharon of Zhitomir (ca. 1750-1817, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 156) was appointed in ca. 1798 by his teacher R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev as maggid in Zhitomir, and the latter cautioned the townspeople of Zhitomir exceedingly to treat him with great respect. He held this position for some three years. He later moved to Hungary, where he served as maggid in Karaly (Carei) and Ashvar (Nyírvasvári), which became a Chassidic town under his influence. This book contains the sermons he delivered in Zhitomir in 1798-1801.
[2], 20, [2], 21-36, 40-191 leaves. 20.5 cm. Printed mostly on bluish paper. Fair-good condition. Stains. Worming, sometimes affecting text. Tears to title page and several other leaves, scarcely affecting text. Paper reinforcements in several places. Ownership inscriptions. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 604.

Three Chassidic books printed in Livorno in 1804-1821, by R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych and Safed.
• Pekudat HaMelech, two parts, on the Rambam, on the Torah and various selections, by R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych. Livorno, 1804. First edition.
• Kohelet with the Chemdat Yisrael commentary, by R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych. Livorno, [1820]. First edition. The author includes things he heard on his travels in various countries. He cites teachings he heard from R. Simcha Rabbi of Brisk and from a teacher of young children in Egypt, and describes his visits to the Haleb communities in Aleppo, Izmir and Salonika. This book was printed upon his arrival in Livorno to collect funds, and he requests that the donors grant him a permanent "Maamad" (status), to enable him to study Torah in Safed without further wanderings.
• Eshed HaNechalim, novellae on the teachings of the Magen Avraham and the Taz (Turei Zahav) on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, and samples of responsa from the book Ne'ot Deshe, by the author of Arvei Nachal, Rebbe David Shlomo Eybeschutz, Rabbi of Soroca and one of the leading Torah scholars of Safed. Livorno, [1821]. The book was published anonymously. In the foreword of the publisher, R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych, author of Chemdat Yisrael, he writes that he knows the author from their youth in Poland and that after their immigration to Safed they studied together. He writes further that he feels obligated to praise the author and recount his greatness, but the author does not allow him to mention his name in his compositions.
R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych, son of R. Yosef of Drohobych (disciple of the Baal Shem Tov), was a rabbi in Galicia, Poland and Hungary. He wandered extensively, arriving in Safed. On his way to Eretz Israel in 1804, he stayed in Livorno and became friendly with the Chida. R. Yisrael Nachman told him about the Baal Shem Tov and the Chassidic movement, as related to him by his father R. Yosef who was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. The Chida later cited these accounts in his books. In 1820, R. Yisrael Nachman printed the book Chemdat Yisrael in Livorno, and in 1821, he printed the book Eshed HaNechalim, also in Livorno. Whilst in Italy, R. Yisrael Nachman made a great impression, and R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi attests that R. Yisrael Nachman answered all questions posed to him in both the revealed and hidden realms of Torah, showing great proficiency in all areas of the Talmud and poskim. Before his death, R. Yisrael Nachman returned to Safed, where he passed away after 1821 (see: Yeshurun, I, pp. 493-501; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, II, pp. 601-602).
3 books. Size and condition vary. New bindings.
The book Pekudat HaMelech contains three title pages, including the rare first title page which does not appear in most copies [handwritten inscription by bibliographer Dr. Israel Mehlman: "The first title page is unknown to bibliographers (apparently replaced)"]. The book Chemdat Yisrael contains the four rare leaves (59-62), which were added after printing to only some copies.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 476; no. 225; no. 70.
Of the few Chassidic books printed in Livorno (very few Chassidic books were printed in the Orient and Balkans, Greece and Livorno; only four Chassidic books were printed in Livorno, all by R. Yisrael Nachman of Drohobych, and three of them compose this lot).

Chumash VaYikra, with Targum Onkelos, Rashi and Baal HaTurim commentaries, and with the Be'er Mayim Chaim commentary, by R. Chaim Thirer Rabbi of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi). Sudylkiv, [1820]. First edition.
Printed on the title page in large red type: "In Mohilev". The true place of printing appears above, printed in small black type: "Printed in Sudylkiv". This edition also contains the commentary on the Masorah, Minchat Kalil, by R. Or Shraga Feivush Rabbi of Dubrowna, son-in-law of the Gaon of Vilna (copied from the chumash Aderet Eliyahu – Dubrowna, 1804).
Be'er Mayim Chaim is one of the most prominent classic books of Chassidic thought. The Rebbe of Belz the Sar Shalom said that the first book of ethics he studied was Be'er Mayim Chaim. The Ohev Israel of Apta wrote in his approbation (printed in the Bereshit volume): "We are well aware of the desire and wish of that Tzaddik, who yearned his entire life to benefit the public with his holy teachings… and he brought many to repentance… and may we benefit from the merit of the author…". R. Mordechai of Kremnitz (son of the Maggid of Zlotchov) writes in his approbation (printed in the Bereshit volume) of the extraordinary love his father felt towards the author.
The author, Rebbe Chaim Thirer of Czernowitz (ca. 1740 – Kislev 1814), was a Chassidic leader, disciple of the Maggid of Zlotchov, and served as rabbi of Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Botoşani, Kishinev (Chișinău) and Czernowitz. He had the reputation of a holy man, and wondrous tales about him abound. According to Chassidic tradition, after his immersion before Shabbat, his form would allegedly change and he would grow taller by a handbreadth. Near the end of his life, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Safed in 1813, where he composed Shaar HaTefillah and was later buried. His fundamental works Sidduro shel Shabbat, Shaar HaTefillah and Be'er Mayim Chaim are unique for their clarity and conviction, as well as the enthusiastic Chassidic emotion which they exude. His books were distributed and published in many editions and are considered foundations of Chassidic teachings.
Signatures on title page: "Dov son of R. Yosef Zeev Shapira of Mohyliv-Podilskyi"; censor's signature and stamp.
120; 8; 10 leaves. 22 cm. Greenish paper. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming, affecting text (professionally restored with paper). New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 216; Stefansky Classics, no. 388.