Divrei Chaim, by Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. Part I, on the Torah, Munkacs (Mukachevo), 1877. Part II, on the festivals and Tractate Bava Metzia. Munkacs, 1877. First edition, published by "the sons of the author". Two volumes.
Divrei Chaim on the Torah and festivals was published after the passing of the author. In the foreword to the composition on the Torah, the sons describe their holy father and the day of his death: "…his great holiness and piety… was well-known. He dedicated his entire life to Torah study, devoted service and great fear of Heaven from his youth… Our own eyes saw on the day of his death… that he sanctified himself like the heavenly Seraphim with yichudim and great fervor which did not cease for one moment until his soul clung to the Heavenly Light…". At the end of the introduction they write about their father's will to publish these books: "…We, the sons of our holy father the author, have expended effort in printing this composition in compliance with his command before his death to print and publish it speedily. The merit of our father should protect us and the entire Jewish People, and strengthen Torah and fear of Heaven, and we and all our Jewish brethren should be graced with an abundance of blessing and success".?In the foreword to part II, the author's sons relate that their father, the Divrei Chaim studied tractate Bava Metzia "with great concentration with a group of eminent Torah scholars for over 20 years and that he composed wonderful novellae…". They also write that their father's novellae follow both revealed and esoteric approaches.
Stamps on vol. I: "Aharon R.". Ownership inscription of R. Alter Steinmetz on the back endpaper of vol. II: "I received this Divrei Chaim as a gift from my father, Alter son of R. Shlomo Steinmetz".
Vol. I: [2], 84, [5] leaves. Vol. II: [2], 72; 48 leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Wear. Tears to title page of vol. I, repaired with tape. New bindings.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 119.