Divrei Emet on the Torah, Chassidic homilies by the Chozeh of Lublin, R. Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz of Lantzut and Lublin. Sudilkov: Isaac son of Eliezer, 1835. Third edition.
Copy of Rebbe Avraham of Tshechnov, with his stamp on the title page: " Avraham son of the late R. Refael".
Rebbe Avraham Landau Rabbi of Tshechnov (Ciechanów; 1784-1875), a prominent Torah leader of Poland in his times. Disciple of R. Aryeh Leib Zuenz. An outstanding Torah scholar and exceptionally holy man. He is renowned for his battle against the "Clothing Decree" (changes in Chassidic dress sought by the government), together with the Chiddushei HaRim, and headed a group of rabbis who ruled that this change of dress is prohibited by Jewish law even if one has to forfeit one's life to adhere to this law. He absorbed Chassidut from Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Peshischa and from Rebbe Fishel from Strikov but he refused to become rebbe. Only after the passing of the Chiddushei HaRim, when most of the latter's Chassidim accepted the leadership of Rebbe Chanoch Henich HaKohen of Alexander, did he accede to the requests of Chassidic leaders (R. Yechiel Meir of Gostynin, R. Elazar HaKohen of Pułtusk, and others) that he serve as their rebbe, and only on condition that he be allowed to continue praying according to Ashkenazi rite, and recite the morning prayers at sunrise (Kevatikin).
Rebbe Avraham Landau was revered by the rabbis and rebbes of his times for his Torah scholarship and holy conduct. R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, who met him when he came to Stryków stated: "A more important guest than me came to the city". R. Mendele of Kotzk attested that "He looks like an angel of G-d". R. Yitzchak Meir of Ger, in his responsum to R. Chaim of Sanz regarding permitting "the new chickens" (Responsa HaRim, section 8), writes that he did not research the problem since he relies on the rabbi of Tshechnov who is renowned as a great rabbi and Tzadik, and eats them. Rebbe Chaim Halberstam of Sanz declared that it is imperative for all who live in Poland to be acquainted with the rabbi of Tshechnov.
R. Eliyahu Guttmacher wrote about him that "He is blessed by all Jewish people from one end to another, the G-dly man, one of the greatest figures of our times, genius above all geniuses". R. Yosef Chaim Kara, rabbi of Włocławek eulogized him: "One thing I know, from the day R. Akiva Eger passed away, no person could be found among all the great men in our country lauded by all Jews that he is holy from the womb… No one refrains from praising and exalting him…".
Some of his Torah novellae and teachings were printed in the books Zechuta D'Avraham, Ahavat Chesed, Beit Avraham, Tzelota D'Avraham, etc.
His four sons served as rebbes: Rebbe Ze'ev Wolf Landau of Strikov; R. Dov Berish of Biala, who was appointed rebbe of the Warka Chassidim in his father's lifetime and is the founder of the Strikov dynasty; Rebbe Refael of Warsaw and Rebbe Yaakov of Jeżów, who succeeded his father as rabbi of Tshechnov.
[2], 58 leaves. 20.5 cm. High-quality paper. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Minor worming. New leather binding.