Divrei Moshe, Chassidic and kabbalistic essays on the weekly Torah portions, by R. Moshe Shoham Rabbi of Dolyna. [Medzhybizh?: printer not indicated, ca. 1818]. First edition. With approbations by the Ohev Yisrael of Apta and R. Yitzchak of Radyvyliv, the author's son-in-law.
The kabbalist R. Moshe Shoham Rabbi of Dolyna (d. 1820) was one of the youngest disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and he quotes his teacher in his book. In 1786, he was appointed rabbi of Dolyna, through the efforts of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk. The Ohev Yisrael of Apta writes in his approbation that the author possesses great knowledge both in the revealed and esoteric realms of Torah. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz writes that he is an awesome G-dly person. In addition to this book, he also wrote the kabbalistic composition Saraf Pri Etz Chaim (Chernivtsi 1866) and the book Imrei Shoham (Kolomyia 1880) on Tractates Ketubot, Kiddushin and Bava Metzia. In the approbation of R. Yehuda Tzvi Steg Rabbi of Skolye to Imrei Shoham, he writes: "It is a great mitzvah to keep this book in the Jewish home, because it gives great protection, since he is a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov".

58; 6 leaves. 21 cm. Bluish paper. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Worming and minor open tears to final leaves, slightly affecting text. New leather binding.

The place and year of printing are not indicated on the title page. According to the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, the book was printed in Medzhybizh, ca. 1818. Friedberg (Bet Eked Sefarim, no. 448) writes that it was printed in Polonne in 1801, but this is incorrect (see: Wunder, The Hebrew Printing in Polonne, Alei Sefer, V, p. 156). According to Alfasi, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, p. 319, the book was printed between 1822-1823.

Toldot Aharon, Chassidic and kabbalistic essays on the Torah portions, by R. Aharon of Zhitomir (close disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev). Berditchev (Berdychiv): R. Yisrael Bak, [1817]. First edition. With approbations by great Chassidic leaders: the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, R. Mordechai of Chernobyl and R. Yisrael of Pikov. In all three approbations, the author is termed "the holy light, G-dly man".
Toldot Aharon contains inspirational sermons and guidance in worship of G-d based on Chassidic teachings, recorded by one of the disciples of R. Aharon of Zhitomir, and brought to press within the year of mourning following the passing of the author. The book is written in an animated, passionate style; as described in the approbations: "His holy words enthuse the hearts of the Jewish people towards their Father in Heaven, like a tongue of flame rising heavenwards"; "His words are impassioned like a fiery flame". The book quotes dozens of teachings received by the author from his prime teacher, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, as well as expressions of his exceptional reverence for his teacher.
The author, R. Aharon of Zhitomir (ca. 1750-1817; Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, I, p. 156) was appointed ca. 1798 by his teacher R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev as maggid in Zhitomir, and the latter cautioned the townspeople of Zhitomir exceedingly to treat him with great respect. He held this position for some three years. He later moved to Hungary, where he served as maggid in Karoly (Carei) and in Ashvar (Nyírvasvári), which became a Chassidic town under his influence. This book contains the sermons he delivered in Zhitomir in 1798-1801.
Two ownership inscriptions extending across the margins of dozens of leaves at the beginning of the book, attesting that the book belonged to R. Aryeh Leib of Dubrovna (possibly the Chabad Torah scholar R. Aryeh Leib Kolonier [Tumarkin/Beilinson] of Dubrovna, teacher of the Divrei Nechemiah of Dubrovna).

[2], 20, [2], 21-36, 40-191 leaves (misfoliation). Bluish paper. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Wear. Worming, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper. Minor open tear to one leaf, affecting text, and marginal open tears to title page and other leaves, repaired in part with paper. First and final leaves possibly supplied from a different copy. Stamps. New leather binding.

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: printer not indicated, 1815]. First edition.
This first edition was published by a disciple of the author, R. Shmuel of Premisla (Przemyśl), and does not contain Torah thoughts on Parashat Bereshit. At the end of the book of Shemot (p. 20b of the first sequence), the publisher relates to this, offering his assumption 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 follow the first edition and omit the additions).
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 Talmud, halachah and responsa. After his passing, a fire destroyed all his writings. This work 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 prominent teacher, R. Elimelech of Lizhensk: "and so it says in the book of my teacher the holy R. Elimelech" (Parashat Vaera). 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 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. 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to some leaves. Tears, including open tear to title page, repaired with tape. Worming, affecting text, mostly repaired with tape. Printing error to one leaf, affecting text. New binding.

Or LaShamayim, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, novellae on Talmudic topics and responsa, by Rebbe Meir HaLevi Rotenberg Rabbi of Stovnitz and Apta, disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin. [Lviv: printer not indicated, 1850]. First edition. Approbation by the Divrei Chaim of Sanz at the end of the book.
The author's famous prayer is printed at the beginning of the book: "Ribbon HaOlamim Yodati Ki Hineni BeYodcha..." ("Master of the Universe, I know that I am in your hands like clay in the hands of a potter..."). Later editions of the book, starting from the 1914 edition, state that the Tiferet Shlomo of Radomsk would recite the prayer twice daily, and declared that reciting the prayer daily is an awesome segulah for livelihood and success.
The book was compiled and brought to print by the author's son-in-law, R. Menachem Mendel Rubin Rabbi of Głogów, who describes in his foreword how when the author spoke, it was as if the Divine presence was speaking from the author's mouth, and all his teachings were Heavenly revelations he received at that time.
On the title page and on several other pages, signatures (in pencil) and stamps of Rebbe Mordechai David Teitelbaum of Safed.
Rebbe Mordechai David Teitelbaum (d. Kislev 1819 in Safed), son of R. Nachum Tzvi Teitelbaum (brother of the Yitav Lev and son of the Yismach Moshe). He served as rabbi of Stitshin (Szczucin) and Drohobych. He was the cousin of the Minchat Elazar Rebbe of Munkacs, and of the Kedushat Yom Tov Rebbe of Sighet. In 1902, he immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Meron and in Safed, where he was known as the Rebbe of Drohobych. His son was Rebbe Yitzchak Teitelbaum of Husakov, father of Rebbe Mordechai David Teitelbaum – Rebbe of Husakov-Beer Sheva.
Signature on the title page: "Naftali Tzvi ----". Handwritten emendations and brief glosses on several leaves.

[1], 74, 77-78, [1], 78-81, [1] leaves. Misfoliation. 22.5 cm. Partially printed on greenish paper. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Marginal tape repairs to title page and other leaves. Leaves trimmed with minor damage to text in several places. Stamps. New leather binding.

Ohev Yisrael, Chassidic homiletics on the Torah portions, by Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, grandsons of the rabbi of Slavita, 1863. First edition.
The book was brought to press by the author's grandson, Rebbe Meshulam Zusia of Zinkov (Zinkiv). In his foreword, he relates how his father, Rebbe Yitzchak Meir, son of the author, realized that many were copying the rebbe's teachings – each person according to his own understanding, and was concerned that this would lead to mistakes. He therefore chose one astute, outstanding Torah scholar and designated him to record the holy teachings, after which the writings were reviewed, and when necessary corrected, by the rebbe. Further in the foreword, he explains that the book was named Ohev Yisrael, based on the author's repeated assertion that the only character trait in which he could confidently take pride, even before the Heavenly court, was his outstanding love for his fellow Jew. Before his passing, he instructed his sons to write no other praise on his tombstone but Ohev Yisrael (Lover of Jews).
In his approbation (to the Lviv edition), R. Yosef Shaul Nathansohn writes: "...he loved every Jewish person with his heart and soul, and would show great affection particularly to Torah scholars. And our fathers related to us that while he was here [in Lviv], all the leading Torah scholars of the city would arise early to come and absorb his wondrous teachings...".

[1], 117 leaves. Leaves 71-74 bound out of sequence. 25 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains (significant stains to final leaves). Large open tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting title page border and text; professionally restored with paper. Extensive worming, affecting text, repaired with paper. Several leaves possibly provided from a different copy. Stamps. New leather binding.