Avodat Yisrael, Chassidic and kabbalistic essays on the Torah portions, Haftarot and festivals; two letters; Chassidic commentary to Tractate Avot and novellae on Talmudic topics in Tractate Chullin, by R. Yisrael Hopstein – the Maggid of Kozhnitz. [Józefów, 1842]. First edition.
The author, R. Yisrael Hopstein, known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz, (1733/1737-1814), a holy kabbalist and founder of Chassidut in Poland. He was renowned as an outstanding, profound and innovative Torah scholar. He was the close disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. In 1765, he began serving as maggid in Kozhnitz. Thousands of Chassidim streamed to his door, and he became known as one of the leading rebbes in Poland. His renowned disciples include R. Yitzchak Meir Alter, the Chiddushei HaRim, who was raised in his home. The Maggid of Kozhnitz authored many books in all Torah fields, including halachah, novellae, homiletics and kabbalah, and was considered one of the leading kabbalists in his times. He was renowned for his tremendous knowledge of all kabbalistic works, including varying approaches. Reputedly, already in his youth, before he began frequenting the court of the Maggid of Mezeritch, he had studied some eight hundred kabbalistic works. Some of his kabbalistic compositions are explanations of early kabbalistic books, as well as the books of the Maharal of Prague.
Avodat Yisrael was published 27 years following the passing of its author, and it is the first of his books to be published (a few of his essays were printed in his lifetime). Avodat Yisrael is considered a classic Chassidic work, and it portrays the depth of the inner richness it contains. Rebbe Yechezkel Halberstam of Shinova stated: "All the books of the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov are holy, while the book Avodat Yisrael is holy of holies". The Torat Chaim, rebbe of Kosov declared that one must study this book in great depth, just like one studies the Zohar. Reputedly, R. Yitzchak Eizik of Zidichov held the books of the Maggid of Kozhnitz in very high esteem, and when he received the book Avodat Yisrael, "he experienced tremendous joy", and exclaimed to the person who brought it to him that had he known he was coming to bring him the book, he would have come to meet him to welcome the book "due to his cherishing the holiness of the book".
[3], 90; 32 leaves. Lacking first title page (book originally printed with two title pages). 19.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Worming. Significant worming to some leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with paper. Margins of several leaves trimmed close to headings. Stamps. New leather binding.
Without leaf [5] comprising three approbations, which was included in some copies only, since these approbations were brought to the printer only after the printing of the book was completed.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 452.

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. All seven parts in seven 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 his father also 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 today.
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 volumes. Vol. I (Orach Chaim, Part I): [2], 117, [1] leaves. Vol. II (Orach Chaim, Part II): [1], 66; 108, [2] leaves. Including title page (most extant copies of this part lack title page). 108 leaves originally appearing at beginning of book, erroneously bound here after second sequence. Final [2] leaves – omissions from Likutei Halachot Orach Chaim and errata for part III of Orach Chaim (these leaves were not listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book). Vol. III (Orach Chaim, part III): 54; 18; 5, [7], 14-47, 44-49, [2], 56-81, 71-74; 7-16 leaves. Significant misfoliation. Lacking title page, leaf 55 of first sequence, and approx. 6 leaves between final sequence and previous one. Vol. IV (Yoreh De'ah): [2], 256 leaves. Lacking 11 final leaves (257-267) of indexes. Printing error in leaves 3-4 (pages printed in wrong order). Vol. V (Even HaEzer): [2], 38; 10; 18 leaves. 18 leaves of indexes for Choshen Mishpat part II and Even HaEzer bound here instead of at end of Choshen Mishpat part II. Vol. VI (Choshen Mishpat, part I): [2], 79; 119 leaves. Vol. VII (Choshen Mishpat, part II): [2], 3, 5-23; [39]; [35] leaves.
Size varies, 20.5-25.5 cm. Condition varies, good-fair to fair. Stains. Dampstains. Tears in various places, repaired in part (some leaves professionally restored). Tears to some leaves with loss and damage to text (including damage to text and borders of some title pages). Leaves trimmed, with damage to text in several places. Worming, affecting text in some volumes (vol. III with significant worming to some leaves). Stamps and handwritten inscriptions in several volumes. Six of seven volumes with new, non-uniform leather bindings.
Regarding the place and year of printing of the first part, see: 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. See 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 further bibliographic details related to the different parts of this edition, see: G. Scholem, Eleh Shemot, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 9-11, no. 21-27.

Complete set (five parts in two volumes) of Yismach Moshe on the Torah – Chassidic and Kabbalistic homiletics, following the order of the weekly Torah portions, by R. Moshe Teitelbaum, rabbi of Ujhel (Sátoraljaújhely). Parts I-V, on the Books of Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Lviv, 1848-1861. First edition of all five parts, with a separate title page for each part.
The Yismach Moshe series was prepared for print by the author's grandson and close disciple, Rebbe Yekutiel Yehuda Teitelbaum, rabbi of Sighet, author of Yitav Lev, and his glosses and additions, introduced with the words "so said the editor", are included in several places.
A brief foreword by the Yitav Lev was printed at the beginning of the Bereshit volume. Approbations by the Divrei Chaim and the Yitav Lev were printed at the beginning of the Bamidbar and Devarim volumes.
The author, R. Moshe Teitelbaum, rabbi of Ujhel (1759-1841), was the progenitor of the Sighet and Satmar dynasties, as well as other prominent Chassidic dynasties. Renowned already in his youth as an outstanding Torah scholar, he had the merit of studying in the Beit Midrash of the Vilna Gaon, and holding Torah discussions with him (see: HaGaon HaKadosh Baal Yismach Moshe, by R. Yosef Moshe Sofer, Brooklyn, 1984, pp. 25-26). He served as rabbi of Shinova (Sieniawa) and Ujhel. He embraced Chassidut in his later years, and became a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. In 1808, he was appointed rabbi of Ujhel and began disseminating Chassidut in Hungary. He was renowned in his times as rebbe and wonder-worker and frequently gave out amulets. His books include: Responsa Heshiv Moshe on halachah, Yismach Moshe on the Torah and Tefilla LeMoshe on Tehillim.
Signatures and ownership inscriptions on the endpaper and title page of the Bereshit part, including: "Asher Anshel Waxman"; "Yehuda Leib Kahana Rappaport". Signatures and ownership inscriptions on the title page of the Shemot part, including: "Eliezer Binyamin Deutsch".
Two volumes. Vol. I (Bereshit): [1], 117 leaves. Vol. II (Shemot-Devarim): 90; 42; [1], 49; 72, [1] leaves. Approx. 23 cm. Overall good to good-fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to several leaves. Minor worming to several leaves in both volumes. Tears and damage to final leaf of vol. I, affecting text. A few pages trimmed close to headings. Many handwritten inscriptions on title page of Shemot. Bamidbar-Devarim in vol. II: wear and creases, tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text, wear and many tears to title page of Bamidbar, repaired with tape and paper. New leather bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, nos. 239, 240.

Zohar on the Torah – Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. Slavita: R. Shmuel Avraham Shapira, son of the rabbi of Slavita, [1824].
Complete set in three volumes.
Approbation by Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta and other approbations at the beginning of vol. I.
Ownership inscriptions of the wealthy R. Shaul Papierna of Poritch and his family. On the endpaper of vol. I: "Shaul Papierna of Poritch". On the endpaper of vol. III: "The prominent R. Shaul son of R. Noach Papierna, Poritch". Other inscriptions in Russian. At the top of all three title pages, inscription forming the acrostic: "Shimon Papierna".
Three volumes. Vol. I: [4], 251; 17 leaves. Vol. II: [1], 17, 19-278 leaves. Vol. III: [1], 2-115, [1], 117-309 leaves. Approx. 21 cm. Bluish, high-quality paper. Overall good-fair condition. Many leaves in good condition. Stains, including dampstains to many leaves in vol. III. Worming to first and final leaves, affecting text. Handwritten inscriptions. Bookplates. Early leather bindings, worn, with tears and significant worming. Vol. II with cloth spine. Front board of vol. III partially detached; spine torn (mostly lacking).