Likutei Halachot, explanations and novellae following the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, based on the teachings of R. Nachman of Breslov, by R. Natan of Breslov (Moharnat), primary disciple of R. Nachman. [Iași]-Zhovkva-Lviv: [1843]-1861. Complete set, with all seven parts in eight volumes. First editions.
Likutei Halachot is one of the most important compositions of Breslov teachings, wherein R. Natan of Breslov gives Chassidic and kabbalistic explanations, together with practical guidelines of conduct in G-d's service, arranged in the order of the laws in Shulchan Aruch – following the unique method of his teacher, R. Nachman of Breslov. Moharnat testified that while compiling and writing these books he felt a "Divine shine". The son of R. Nachman Chazan of Tulchyn (who arranged the books for print) attested that also his father felt a Divine shine during the course of his work, compelling him at times to lay aside his quill and stop writing – see below.
Likutei Halachot was printed over the course of some twenty years. Only the first volume was printed in the lifetime of the author, R. Natan of Breslov, in the city of Iași, while the rest of the volumes were printed posthumously in Zhovkva and Lemberg (Lviv). Likutei Halachot was reprinted in many editions, from the years immediately following the first edition until the current day.
R. Natan's writings were arranged for print by his close disciple, R. Nachman Chazan of Tulchyn (1813-1884), who with great devotion copied the writings of his teacher R. Natan, prepared them for print, and published them. R. Nachman's son R. Avraham of Tulchyn, author of Biur HaLikutim, describes his father's single-minded devotion to the task of preparing the books for print, and attests that his father merited feeling a Divine shine during the course of his work: "The books Likutei Halachot… he reconciled himself to extreme deprivation for the course of many years and toiled greatly to copy all the six volumes so that they would be ready for print… He received no reimbursement or payment from Moharnat, not even the smallest amount… I heard him say that upon concluding the writing of the Likutei Halachot books, Moharnat once asked him if he felt Divine shine… To which he answered: Yes! And it was understood from his words that several times, due to the excitement and Divine shine which shone upon him, he was compelled to lay aside his quill and completely cease writing". R. Avraham further describes the difficulties his father encountered while publishing the first volume: "He then applied himself to print at least the first volume, Orach Chaim Part I, and for this task R. Natan gave him a bit, to cover the travel expenses to Iași in Wallachia. And his wife… travelled to Breslov to inform R. Natan that if he does not provide her with at least minimal sustenance, she and her children will die of starvation… My father himself, endeavored to reduce expenses throughout the journey, and at the beginning even travelled on foot some of the way, since the printing costs alone were beyond R. Natan's means, due to his extreme poverty and his concealment" (Kochvei Or, Jerusalem, 2009, pp. 282-283).
R. Natan Sternhartz of Nemirov (Nemyriv) – Moharnat of Breslov (1780-1844), was the primary disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and disseminator of his teachings, in time succeeding him as leader of the Breslov Chassidim. During his teacher's lifetime, he was the personification of a disciple, and just like R. Chaim Vital disseminated and revealed the teachings of the Arizal, R. Natan revealed and disseminated the teachings of R. Nachman throughout the world. He arranged and published his teacher's works (including: Likutei Moharan, Sefer HaMidot, Sipurei Maasiot, and others). Reputedly, R. Nachman declared that if not for R. Natan, not even one leaf of his writings would have survived. R. Natan's own compositions expound upon and explain the teachings of R. Nachman. His magnum opus is this book – Likutei Halachot. R. Natan was renowned from his youth as an exceptional Torah scholar, who devotedly and ardently served his Creator. His prayers and holiness were legendary. His biography is recorded in detail in Chayei Moharnat and in BaEsh UvaMayim – Toldot Moharnat, Jerusalem, 1996.
Seven parts in eight volumes (Part III of Orach Chaim is divided here into two volumes). Vol. I (Orach Chaim, Part I): [2], 117, [1] leaves. Vol. II (Orach Chaim, Part II): without title page (see description of vol.III), 76, 79-108; 66 leaves. Leaves 77-78 are lacking and were replaced in manuscript. Vol. III (Hilchot Shabbat-Hilchot Rosh Chodesh): [1], 54; 18 leaves. Lacking leaf 55. The title page of vol. II was erroneously bound at the beginning of this volume. Vol. IV (Hilchot Pesach-Hilchot Megillah): 5, [6], 14-47, 44-49, [2], 56-61, [2], 64-81, 71-74; 7-14 leaves. Significant misfoliation. Lacking leaves 62-63 (replaced by leaves 60-61 which appear twice), and approx. 6 leaves of last sequence (including last two leaves). Vol. V (Yoreh Deah): [2], 267 leaves. Vol. VI (Even HaEzer): [2], 38; 10 leaves. Vol. VII (Choshen Mishpat, Part I): [2], [8], 79; 119 leaves. Leaves 69-70 and leaves 75-76 of the first sequence are bound out of order. [8] index leaves are bound out of place, at the beginning of the volume. Vol. VIII (Choshen Mishpat, Part II): [2], 3, 5-23; [39]; [35]; 18 leaves. Size of leaves varies, 21-26 cm. Condition varies, good-fair. Stains. Dampstains. Worming (mostly minor), affecting text in some volumes. Leaves trimmed affecting text in several places. Tears, some repaired. Open tears, affecting text, to a few leaves. Several leaves at the end of the seventh volume were possibly supplied from a different copy. Stamps and inscriptions. New, non-uniform bindings (most of them made of leather).
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 273-279.
The place and year of printing of the first part are noted here according to: Alim LiTerufah (letters of Moharnat), Berdychiv 1896, letters 373-417; Sichot VeSipurim (Chazan), Jerusalem [1913], section 47; Neve Tzaddikim, Bnei Brak 1969, pp. 88, 98-112. Also: Yosef Weiss, HaSefer HaNisraf by R. Nachman of Breslov, Kiryat Sefer, 45, p. 270, note 77; Y. Yudlov, First Edition of Likutei Halachot on Orach Chaim, Kiryat Sefer, 62, pp. 933-935.
According to Yudlov, ibid., Part II of Orach Chaim was printed ca. 1847, and the title page was added (to some copies) later.
For more extensive bibliographic details on the parts of this edition, see: G. Shalom, Ele Shemot, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 9-11, no. 21-27.