Ben Porat Yosef, homiletics on Bereshit, with responsa at the end, by R. Yaakov Yosef HaKohen Katz Rabbi of Polonne. The famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov is printed for the first time, at the end of this book. Korets: Tzvi Hirsh son of Aryeh Leib [Margolies] and his son-in-law Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, [1781]. First edition.
This is the author's second book, published approximately one year after his first book Toldot Yaakov Yosef. In this book, like in the previous one, the author quotes extensively teachings from his prime teacher, R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, his books being the most important and authentic source of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. The author repeatedly quotes teachings he personally heard from the Baal Shem Tov, emphasized throughout the book and beginning with the words "I heard from my master". R. Pinchas of Korets would customarily say that all new books do not totally conform with the truth, except for the books of the rabbi of Polonne which are "teachings from Paradise", and that with each quotation "heard from my master" one can resurrect the dead[!].
At the end of the book, the famous letter which the Baal Shem Tov sent to his brother-in-law R. Gershon of Kitov in Jerusalem, is printed for the first time. The Baal Shem Tov gave this letter to the author R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonne when the latter intended to immigrate to Eretz Israel, in the winter 1752, so that he could relay it to R. Gershon of Kitov, brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov. After his travel plans were cancelled, the letter remained in R. Yaakov Yosef's possession, and he published it "to benefit the Jewish people". In this letter, the Baal Shem Tov narrates of the "ascent of the soul" which he performed on Rosh Hashana of 1746 and 1749, and relates: "And I asked Mashiach, when will the Master come, and he responded… when your teachings will be publicized and revealed to the world, and your wellsprings will spread outwards".
R. Uri of Strelisk related that R. Mordechai of Neshchiz would study the letter every day: "The Tzaddik of Neshchiz resolved to study it every day, without fail, literally like laying Tefillin", he also said in his name that this letter contains allusions to three Holy names "through which one can find out the time of the Redemption" (Imrei Kadosh HaShalem, Jerusalem 1961, p. 47, 40).
[1], 100 leaves. 30 cm. Condition varies, good to fair. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Wear and worming. Extensive marginal wear and open tears to title page and first and final leaves, affecting border and edges of text (repaired with paper). Stamps. New, elegant leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 90.

Mayim Kedoshim, novellae on Order Kodashim of the Babylonian Talmud, by R. Avraham Moshe of Brahiłów (Brailiv). Mezhirov, [1790].
According to one source, the author was a disciple of the prominent maggid – R. Dov Ber of Mezeritch (see: Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 127).
The book contains novellae on the entire Order Kodashim, apart from Tractates Tamid, Middot and Kinnim.
Signatures and inscriptions on title page and other leaves.
[10], 3-120, [1] leaves. Leaves 9-10 bound out of sequence. 32 cm. Fair condition. Stains (including significant dampstains) and wear. Open tears to title page, slightly affecting border and text on verso, repaired with paper. Open tears to first and final leaves (especially last leaf), affecting text, repaired. Worming to several leaves, slightly affecting text. New leather binding.
Variant. Most copies feature three approbations on verso of title page: Approbations by R. Naftali Hertz, R. Yosef son of R. Moshe of Berditchev and R. Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka. In this copy, the approbation by R. Naftali was printed in the same place, on the right, the approbation by R. Yosef son of R. Moshe was moved to the left, and the approbation by R. Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka was omitted (the center remains blank). See: N. Ben Menachem, Shibolim BiSedeh HaSefer, Kiryat Sefer, 37, 1962, p. 399 (he suggests that the approbation by R. Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka was omitted from some copies, due to his being Chassidic).
The [1] leaf at the end, with errata and glosses, was printed separately and included in some copies only.

Yesod Yitzchak, Part I – kabbalistic and Chassidic essays on the topic of Brit Milah; Part II – Halichot Olam, customs and segulot, by R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi of Zuravitz (Żurawica; author of Raza Meheimna and Otiot D'Rabbi Yitzchak). Zhovkva, 1810. First edition.
Many approbations by leading Torah scholars: R. Meir (Kristianpoller) of Brody; R. Yaakov Orenstein of Lvov, author of Yeshuot Yaakov; R. Efraim Zalman Margaliot of Brody; R. Moshe Shapira of Zaliztsi; R. Aryeh Leib HaKohen of Stryi, author of Ketzot HaChoshen, and others.
The list of pre-publication subscribers, following the approbations, contains information about great rabbis of that generation and their places of residence at the time of printing.
Leaves 41-47 comprise a study order (compiled from the Zohar) for the night before circumcision – the Vach-Nacht.
The author, R. Yitzchak Eizek HaLevi (1735-1783), was a shochet and bodek in Zuravitz, a village near Przemyśl. Little is known about him. In the approbations to his books, he is described as a hidden tzaddik who lived in utter poverty, secluding himself in the forest, passionately and fervently serving G-d. He wrote his books at night. The author of Brit Kehunat Olam recounted that tears would stream from his eyes when slaughtering an animal. R. Yitzchak Eizek is said to have requested of the Yismach Moshe (who in his youth lived in nearby Przemyśl) that he come and study kabbalah under his tutelage, however, the Yismach Moshe was not well acquainted with him and refused. R. Yitzchak Eizek was dispirited by the refusal of the Yismach Moshe and therefore, before his death, instructed that all his kabbalistic writings be buried with him because the world is not worthy of them. After his passing, the Yismach Moshe greatly regretted his refusal and, wishing to do good to the soul of the author, arranged that his writings be copied and those copies be buried in his grave, leaving the original manuscripts to be prepared for print. The Yismach Moshe himself oversaw the copying, editing and printing of the book Raza Meheimna (see approbations and forewords to his books Raza Meheimna and Yesod Yitzchak, and Tehilla L'Moshe by R. Moshe David Teitelbaum, Sighet 1906, pp. 3b-4a). Later sources recount that the Baal Shem Tov used to travel to discuss secret matters with R. Yitzchak Eizek, and when his greatness and holiness became recognized, many thronged to him (see: M. Wunder, Encyclopedia L'Chachmei Galicia, III, pp. 268-272).
Stamp on the title page: "R.A.B. – Rabbiner in Libau", alongside an inscription (in Yiddish?). Owner's signature using the page number on leaf 10: "Yisrael son of R. Benzion Katz of Hasenfeld".
[5], 5-69 leaves. Leaves 33-34, 53-54 bound out of sequence. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to title page, repaired. Open tear to leaf 58, affecting text. Marginal wear and creases to some leaves. Damage to several leaves, affecting text. Handwritten markings within text. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 233.

Tanna Devei Eliyahu, with the Yeshuat Yaakov commentary. Minkovitz: Yechezkel son of Shevach and orphans of Moshe son of Yosef Mechokek, [1798]. With approbation by R. David Leikes Rabbi of Bar (Ukraine), a prominent disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.
Signature on p. 3a: "Moshe son of R. Yechiel".
40, 43-94, [1], 94-130 leaves. 18.5 cm. Light-bluish paper. Fair condition. Stains. Significant worming, affecting text in part. New binding.
That year, three editions of Tanna Devei Eliyahu were printed in Minkovitz (Mynkivtsi, Ukraine; see enclosed material).