Bat Ayin on the Torah, by Rebbe Avraham Dov of Ovruch and Safed. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, [1847]. First edition.
This book is a classic text of Chassidic thought and has in it the holiness of Eretz Israel. It was written by the disciples of the author, but it was carefully edited by Rebbe Avraham Dov after Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl instructed him to print it. The first edition of the book was printed specifically in Eretz Israel and not in the Diaspora, according to the instructions of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhyn, as written in the publisher's preface. The Zhitomir edition (1869) contains several additional lines in the author's introduction, where he writes that the holiness of Eretz Israel is included in his book: "I called this book Bat Ayin, since that title has the same numerical value as my name… and because I have included the holiness of the Holy Land in my writings, and the land is referred to as being under the constant scrutiny of G-d's watchful eyes" (ayin in Hebrew).
Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl writes in his approbation to the 1869 edition: "I hereby… bless… anyone who buys this book at full price, with success in all their dealings".
Ownership inscriptions from Safed, of R. Leib Pilpel, son of R. Yaakov Shimshon Pilpel; inscriptions and early stamps of a Beit Midrash in Safed.
[2], 125, [1] leaves. 21 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Tears and extensive wear, affecting text. Most leaves were professionally restored, with completion of missing text. New leather binding.
S. HaLevi, no. 38; Stefansky Chassidut, no. 103; Stefansky Classics, no. 391.
With a rare leaf at the end – list of subscribers.

Or HaChaim, censure of the study of philosophy, by R. Yosef Yaavetz – the Chassid Yaavetz, with Maayan Ganim, commentary and expansions, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. Zhovkva, 1848. First edition of the Maayan Ganim commentary.
The author, R. Yosef Yaavetz (1440?-1508), a Spanish exile, presents at length his contention that the expulsion resulted from Spanish Jewry's preoccupation with Greek philosophy, preferring it over Torah wisdom. His book Or HaChaim was first printed in Ferrara, 1554.
Maayan Ganim by the Bnei Yissaschar is a polemic work. The main part is a caustic diatribe on the Haskalah movement – against Galician maskilim, Moses Mendelssohn and his writings, their followers and prospective followers.
This is presumably the first work fiercely criticizing and denunciating not only Mendelssohn's works and translations but also Mendelssohn himself. For instance: "Behold, in our generation, their prime teacher (certainly his fire did not go out and his worm did not die, for he caused the public to sin and brazenly misinterpreted the Torah, in disaccord with Jewish law) translated the Bible into foreign languages, overturned and perverted Judaism, until even the nations realized that they have departed from Judaism, and his books must never gain acceptability amongst the Jewish people, forever" (p. 9b).
Maayan Ganim was printed after the author's passing (Tevet 1841). After the book was published, the author's son, Rebbe David of Dinov, presented it to Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, a leading Galician rebbe. After studying the book, R. Yehoshua exclaimed: "This is not a book, this is a piece of Jewish heart… a fiery flame". In response, Rebbe David described to him the circumstances under which his father composed the book: "My father was once ill for six consecutive weeks, he hardly ate and drank… [His family] summoned a doctor to examine him, who pronounced that the patient has a certain desire, which if fulfilled, would help him recover. Upon hearing this, R. Tzvi Elimelech took paper and ink, closeted himself in his room, and began writing the book Maayan Ganim… without stopping. When he finished writing… he declared that he feels better, and added: Now I have revealed to all the impure character of the maskilim" (R. Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, II, Bnei Brak 2005 edition, p. 514).
[1], 32, [2] leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains (including dampstains) and minor wear. Worming to some leaves. Stamp. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 356.

Agra DeKallah on the Torah, Part II, Shemot-Devarim, by Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro Rabbi of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar. Lviv, 1868. First edition.
Special copy, with title printed in gold on title page.
Stamps of the library of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva. Other stamps and inscriptions.
Part II only (Shemot-Devarim): [1], 26; 12, [1]; 56 leaves. 26 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains (including several dark stains) and wear. Tears to several leaves, with no loss of text. New binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 4.

Derech Emunah, three parts, kabbalistic and Chassidic teachings on the Torah and the festivals, by R. Menachem Mendel Rabbi of Sighet. Czernowitz, 1856-1860. Only edition.
Three parts in one volume, with divisional title pages.
R. Menachem Mendel Stern of Sighet (Sighetu Marmației; d. 1834), leading rabbi in Maramureș and prominent disciple of the Yismach Moshe and the Maggid of Kozhnitz.
[4], 52, [1]; [4], 5-50; 124 leaves. 24.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Creases to title page of Part I. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 136.

Zera Kodesh, Chassidic homilies. Part I on the Torah and Part II on the Festivals, by Rebbe Naftali Tzvi Horowitz of Ropshitz (Ropczyce). Lemberg (Lviv), 1868. First edition.
Two parts in two volume (one volume lacking two leaves).
At the beginning of Part I, interesting approbation by a close disciple of the author – Rebbe Chaim of Sanz, who writes that in the past he did not agree to the printing of the holy teachings of R. Naftali of Ropshitz, "because I knew that the holy author also did not approve of printing his Torah novellae. However, on second thought, I decided that it was good that the printers published these writings. It is known that R. Chaim Vital also refrained from publishing his novellae and the teachings he received from his teacher, the Ari, and did not allow his disciples to write them; nevertheless, the righteous of the generation made efforts to copy, write and publish them, and the world shone…".
Two volumes. Vol. I: [2], 1-22, 25-124 leaves. Lacking two leaves: 23-24. Vol. II: [1], 120 leaves. Approx. 22 cm. Condition varies. Vol. I in Fair-good condition. Stains, including significant dampstains to some leaves. Minor wear. Open tears to title page, affecting border. Tears to several other leaves, affecting text on one leaf. Vol. II in good condition. Stains. Stamps and handwritten inscriptions in both volumes. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 208.