Nachalat Shimon, ethical and Chassidic essays on the weekly Torah portions, by R. Shimon Deutsch Ashkenazi Rabbi of Dobromyl, disciple of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. [Łaszczów, 1815]. First edition.
This first edition was published by the disciple of the author, R. Shmuel of Premisla (Przemyśl), and does not contain Torah thoughts on Parashat Bereshit. The publisher mentions this fact at the end of the foreword (leaf [4]) and in the concluding words on p. 20b (of the first sequence), and he surmises that the author's decision not to elaborate on the ten generations between Adam and Noach was based on profound kabbalistic reasons. (It must be noted that the second edition of the book, Polonne 1821, contains novellae to Parashat Bereshit as well as to other Torah portions, which do not appear in the first edition. These additions were included in the Polonne 1821 edition only, whilst subsequent editions [Lemberg 1858 edition onwards] follow the first edition and omit the additions). The publisher, disciple of the author, further writes: "One must know that the author was infirm his entire life… and whenever his weakness overtook him… his words were concise rather than expansive".
The author R. Shimon Deutsch Ashkenazi Rabbi of Dobromyl (d. Cheshvan 1801), was a great and holy Torah scholar, a foremost disciple of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. Held in high esteem by Chassidic leaders, his Torah thoughts are quoted reverently in the writings of great Chassidic masters such as the Bnei Yissaschar, Melo HaRo'im, R. Alexander of Komarno, R. Moshe of Kozhnitz, and others. He exchanged halachic correspondence with leading rabbis of his times, leaving behind many compositions in manuscript form, on the Talmud, halachah and responsa. After his passing, a fire destroyed all his writings. This composition was written by his disciples who recorded the sermons he delivered every Shabbat. The author did not leave behind any descendants. The book was named Nachalat Shimon by the publisher, since "this is his portion from all his toil, as he did not leave behind any offspring, rather alone he came and alone he left, and this will be his legacy" (publisher's foreword). The Yeshuot Yaakov wrote in his approbation to the book: "When I resided in Jarosław, he was in close proximity to me, and several times he presented before me his insight on a ruling, and all his words are taken as verified". The author quotes in this book ideas from his great teacher from Lizhensk: "and so it says in the book of my teacher the holy R. Elimelech" (p. 13a). R. Shimon Ashkenazi's gravesite in Dobromyl was until the Holocaust a focal point for prayer, attracting the multitudes. Since he did not merit to have offspring, the synagogue of his community adopted the custom of reciting Aleinu LeShabe'ach following the Shabbat morning prayer, before the Torah reading, with a special Kaddish in his memory (Or Yekarot by R. Shalom Chaim Porush, IV, p. 379). The Beit Avraham, Rebbe of Slonim, would relate (based on an oral tradition) the way the Nachalat Shimon would describe the exalted atmosphere of the Shabbat day which reigned in the home of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. He reported that the Shabbat holiness was so palpable in the house of his teacher, that every Friday, the kitchen maids would ask forgiveness from one another, similar to the prevailing practice in all Jewish places on Yom Kippur eve, "so that the grievances they bore against each other would not preclude their experiencing the holiness of the Shabbat". R. Shimon of Dobromyl recounted that when he witnessed this, R. Elazar, son of R. Elimelech, declared: "See how far-reaching the light of the holy Shabbat of my father is… even the maids can perceive this light" (Beit Avraham, Slonim, pp. 67, 259).
[4], 2-5, 5-20; 38 leaves. 18.5 cm. Browned leaves. Fair condition. Stains. Tears to title page and other leaves, repaired. Worming, including significant worming with considerable damage to text, repaired with paper. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 390.

Teshuot Chen, Chassidic novellae on the Torah, "which gladden G-d and righteous men", by R. Gedalia [Rabinowitz] of Linitz, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Berditchev, 1816. First edition.
On verso of the title page, approbation by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who writes that the teachings in this book "are matters of utmost importance". In his foreword, the publisher states in the name of R. Levi Yitzchak that the author's teachings are so profound, that many people did not reach full understanding of his intention.
[5], 45 leaves. 20.5 cm. Greenish paper. Good condition. Stains. Tears to bottom of title page and other leaves, repaired with paper, not affecting text. Stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 641.

Orach LaChaim, kabbalistic and Chassidic homiletics on the Torah, in five parts, by Rebbe Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov. [Berdychiv: R. Yisrael Bak, 1817]. First edition.
Interesting approbations by Chassidic leaders: R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev (who writes: "This book was written by a titan among giants, and was written in purity and holiness"); R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz; R. Yaakov Yitzchak, the Chozeh of Lublin (who writes: "Although I do not usually conduct myself in greatness, because a person knows himself and I am neither a rabbi or a Maggid, however… out of my love of G-d, I greatly love every Jew and most certainly tzaddikim, therefore I am writing an approbation…"); R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta; R. Chaim of Botoșani (author of Sidduro shel Shabbat).
The author, R. Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov (ca. 1726-1816; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 80-81), was one of the greatest Torah scholars and Chassidim in his generation. He was the son of R. Gedalia Rabbi of Zhovkva, and the son-in-law of R. Pinchas Horowitz, the Haflaah. Through his second marriage he came to be the son-in-law of R. Yissachar Dov of Zlotchov, the author of Bat Eini. He was a disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, of R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov, of the Haflaah and of his brother R. Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg.
This book opens with a long foreword by R. Efraim Zalman Margolies of Brody, which ends with praise for the author: "…He was great in Torah and Chassidut, spent much of the day in prayer, involved himself extensively in charity and good deeds and brought many to repentance. He was proficient in the hidden facets of the Torah". R. Avraham Chaim once sent a letter to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta requesting that the Ohev Yisrael pray for his recovery, to which the Ohev Yisrael replied that he was surprised by the request, since a person such as R. Avraham Chaim can certainly pray for himself and be sure that his prayers will be answered (Igrot HaOhev Yisrael, Igeret 23b). The author himself prepared the book Orach Chaim for print, between 1804 and 1814, and received approbations from many leading Chassidic masters. However, he did not merit seeing his book in print; it was finally printed in 1817, a year after his passing.
This copy belonged to rabbis of the Or Shraga family of Yazd (Persia). Signature of R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak Or Shraga (Mullah Aghababa, grandson of the Or Shraga) on the title page. Stamps of his son R. Refael son of R. Moshe Or Shraga, and signatures of R. Refael's son – R. Moshe Or Shraga. Several long glosses in Persian script, one signed: "R.B.M." (Refael ben Moshe), and another signed: "Tz.R.K" (the young Refael? K?).
The Or Shraga family of Yazd, descendants of the Kabbalist Mullah Or Shraga, were among the greatest rabbis of Persia. Mullah Or Shraga served as a rabbi for decades and was the force behind the enduring adherence of Yazd Jewry to Torah study and mitzvah observance. He and his descendants led the local community for some two hundred years. Rabbi Or Shraga reputedly came to Yazd from the city of Isfahan, some two hundred and fifty years ago, after the king issued a decree ordering the killing of ten great Torah scholars. He was one of three Torah scholars who managed to escape, the other seven died sanctifying G-d's Name. In Yazd, he facilitated the flourishing of the city's Jewish population and transformed the city into a Torah center. Yazd Jews were among the first to emigrate from Persia to Jerusalem, establishing there the famous Yazdim community.
Rabbi Or Shraga and his descendants were revered by the Jews of Persia. Of particular renown is R. Moshe son of R. Yitzchak, known as Mullah Aghababa, who served as rabbi of Yazd (see: Yosef Shraga, MiYazd LeEretz HaKodesh, pp. 157-161).
52; 59; 29; 37; 31 leaves. 22 cm. Condition varies. Most leaves in good condition. First leaves and last leaves in fair condition. Large open tears to title page, affecting text. Open tears to some other leaves, some repaired with paper. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Leaves trimmed, affecting headings in several places. Old binding, with damage.

Otot HaShamamyim – Derishat Ari, on Shulchan Aruch. Part I: Laws of Mila and Tefillin, Shabbat, Yom Tov and Chol HaMoed. Part II: Laws of Niddah. By Rebbe Aryeb Leib HaLevi Rabbi of Strizov (Strzyżów). Zhitomir, 1805. Name of printer not indicated.
Approbations by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the maggid R. Yisrael of Kozhnitz, and Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum (the Yismach Moshe) – disciple of the author.
The author, R. Aryeh Leib HaLevi (1736-1803, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 58) was a foremost Chassidic leader, rabbi of Strizov and other communities. He authored Derishat HaAri, Otot HaShamayim and Even Pina on Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer. The Maggid of Kozhnitz writes in his approbation to this book: "…I knew him in the past, when he was in this community, and I perceived that he was an eminent rabbi…". Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, author of Yismach Moshe, cousin and close disciple of the author R. Aryeh Leib, refers to him reverently in his approbation: "The greatest amongst giants… my master and teacher….". R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, in his approbation, extols the author's virtues: "His entire life, he did not depart from the tent of Torah, rendering his nights like days… and he studied Torah for the sake of Heaven, and dove into the mighty waters of the Talmud and halachic literature, in order to derive the laws from them…".
R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn, author of Shoel UMeshiv, writes in his approbation to Responsa Heshiv Moshe by the Yismach Moshe: "He [=the Yismach Moshe] was a disciple of the great Torah scholar, author of Derishat Ari on Even HaEzer, and it appears that he learnt from him both revealed and hidden parts of the Torah, since the Derishat Ari was well-versed in Torah and Chassidut, no secret was hidden from him, and the Yismach Moshe received both Torah and practical Kabbalah from him".
In their foreword, the sons of the author relate to the unusual name given to the composition – Otot HaShamayim, asserting that although they do not know their father's reason for giving this name to his book, they are certain that he had a precise explanation for it, which he did not disclose. They add that his disciple, the Yismach Moshe, heard directly from the author that his compositions and the names he gave them were all based on Kabbalah.
93, 18 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears to final leaves, repaired. Small open tear to title page, affecting text. Creases and wear to some leaves. Leaves trimmed close to text, slightly affecting text of several leaves. Minor worming. New binding.
Only very few Hebrew books, including several Chassidic books, were printed in Zhitomir in the early 19th century (1804-1805), prior to the relocation of the Shapira printing press from Slavita to Zhitomir in 1847. This is one of the first books printed in Zhitomir.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 36.

Likutei Moharan, "Pure essays of the renowned Chassid… R. Nachman, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov". [Ostroh: Shmuel son of Yissachar Ber Segal, 1808]. First edition.
Likutei Moharan (acronym of "our master and teacher, the rabbi R. Nachman"), the most important book of R. Nachman of Breslov (Bratslav), is the primary work of the Breslov Chassidic doctrine and has considerable influence on Chassidic Jewry until this day. This book is the first edition, and it comprises the first part of the work. This is the only book of R. Nachman's teachings printed during his lifetime and under his directives. After R. Nachman's passing, R. Natan published a second part named Likutei Moharan Tinyana.
R. Nachman considered the printing and study of the book as the Atchalta D'Geula – beginning of the Redemption (Chayei Moharan, 346). He effusively praised his book and its power to confer holiness and purity on whoever studies it, saying that the book can grant a person superior intellect, since it contains exceptional and profound wisdom, and that studying the book could influence a person to complete repentance (Chayei Moharan, 347, 349). He informed his disciple R. Natan: "You know a little of this book's magnitude of greatness and holiness, but more so should you believe in its greatness" (Chayei Moharan, 369).
R. Nachman also described the great importance of buying this book, asserting that every person should endeavor to purchase the book, and that anyone who could not afford it, should sell the pillow from under his head to buy it (Chayei Moharan, 349). He predicted that the book would be in high demand and reprinted many times (ibid.). Furthermore, R. Nachman declared that just having his book (referring to Likutei Moharan, the only book printed in his lifetime) in one's house is very beneficial for the protection of property, and urged wealthy people to buy his book to safeguard their fortune (Chayei Moharan, 355).
Incomplete copy. 2-31, 46-128, 130-153, 155-157 leaves. Lacking: first two leaves, 17 leaves between leaf 31 and leaf 46 (misfoliation), leaf 129 and last three leaves (lacking a total of 23 leaves). 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains to margins of most leaves and dampstains. Worming. Several tears, slightly affecting text. Leaves trimmed close to text. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 284.