Manuscript – Chassidic essays on the Torah portions, by R. Yisrael of Ruzhin. [Galicia, 19th century].
Decorated manuscript. Ornamental initial panels at the beginning of each book of the Torah. Tailpiece ornaments at the end of each book. Cursive Ashkenazic script, with headings in square script.
The manuscript begins with Parashat Noach, and ends in the middle of Parashat Shoftim (Book of Devarim). Headings with name of Parasha and the name of the author. Two essays are dated: 1844 and 1824.
Most of the contents of the present manuscript was published, occasionally with textual variations, in the books Irin Kadishin, Nachalat Yisrael and Pe'er LaYesharim. However, several sections we have not found published.
R. Yisrael of Ruzhin's Torah thoughts, which he delivered to his Chassidim, were not published for several decades, as a matter of principle. R. Yisrael of Ruzhin would state regarding himself: "Everyone produces works, but I produce sons – we'll see who takes the lead… (his grandson R. Levi Yitzchak Monson, Becha Yevarech Yisrael, Parashat Noach). The notes recorded by his leading disciples were preserved amongst Chassidim as classified manuscripts, and they were particular to only allow those suitable of studying them to copy them. Even when the book Irin Kadishin was published in 1885, it aroused a great polemic amongst the Ruzhin Chassidim, and the publisher added an extra leaf to the book where he listed the names of the rebbes of Ruzhin who agreed that publishing the book was correct and beneficial.

1-58 (lacking end). Approx. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears and worming to several leaves. Inner margins of several leaves strengthened and repaired with paper. Old binding, with minor blemishes.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.008.