Amud HaAvoda, explanation of kabbalistic concepts, by R. Baruch of Kosov. Czernowitz (Chernivtsi), 1854. First edition. With approbations by prominent Chassidic leaders, R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan and R. Moshe of Sambor.
The main part of the book is a clear, thorough explanation of many fundamental kabbalistic concepts, reminiscent of the style and approach of the kabbalist R. Yosef Irgas in his book Shomer Emunim (first published in Amsterdam, 1736). This book serves as a kind of continuation to Shomer Emunim, and a large part of it is presented in dialog form (similar to the structure of the book Shomer Emunim).
R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan (disciple of the Baal Shem Tov) writes about the author in his approbation: "And we spent several days together, and he told me some ideas from the writings of the Arizal, and he explained them to me well… it entered my heart and I found them very pleasant… it seems to me that these are fundamental principles of the Torah…".
The author, R. Baruch of Kosov (Kosiv; d. 1782, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, pp. 381-383), served as maggid in Kosov. He was renowned as a gifted orator, and for his exceptional ability to explain and clarify abstract concepts of Kabbalah and foundations of faith. In his books, he quotes explanations and principles from the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch and their disciples.
This book is the second part of the book Yesod HaEmunah (as stated on the title page) Both books were published in Czernowitz in 1854, by the same publishers and in the same press. In most copies of these books, 15 approbations were printed at the beginning of Yesod HaEmunah and only 2 (those of R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan and R. Moshe of Sambor) at the beginning of Amud HaAvoda, although most of the approbations relate to the book Amud HaAvoda. This was corrected in this copy with the addition of two leaves of approbations.
Another bibliographic find are the final four leaves – "Errata of Part I" – correction of printing errors in Yesod HaEmunah.
The additional leaves of approbations and the errata leaves are not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, nor in the NLI catalog.
Copy of Rebbe Yehuda (R. Yidele) Horowitz-Hager of Dzikov (Dzików). His stamps appear on the title page and other leaves, in Hebrew and Romanian: "Yehuda Hager – dayan Klausenberg". Signature on title page and back endpaper: "Yuda… Grosswardein".
Dedication handwritten and signed by R. Yidele on the leaf following the title page: "I gave this book as a gift to my friend, R. Yehoshua Leifer, Yehuda Hager".
Rebbe Yehuda Horowitz-Hager of Dzikov (1905-1989, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut II, pp. 3-4), son of Rebbe Alter Yechezkel Eliyahu of Dzikov, from the Ropshitz dynasty. He was raised in Grosswardein in the home of his maternal grandfather, Rebbe Yisrael Hager of Vizhnitz, the Ahavat Yisrael, and married his cousin, daughter of Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager of Vizhnitz (adopting the name Hager). He served for a while as dayan and posek in Klausenberg (Cluj Napoca). During the Holocaust he found refuge in Romania, until his immigration to Eretz Israel. He refused to undertake a position of leadership, yet nonetheless, many Chassidim and admirers gathered around him. In his final years, he settled in London, where he served as rebbe. He was renowned for his extraordinary diligence, and as a holy man who worshipped G-d with exceptional devotion. He wrote halachic responsa and would often record his novellae in the margins of his books. Several books were published based on these notes.
[4], 5-6; 202, [4] leaves. Lacking leaves 158-175 (altogether 17 leaves). 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Minor damage and tears to title page. Worming to title page and several other leaves. Stamps. New leather binding.