Magen David, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions and festivals, by Rebbe David Twersky of Tolna. Zhitomir: R. Chanina Lipa, R. Aryeh Leib and R. Yehoshua Heshel Shapira, 1852. First edition.
Two title pages, the second printed in red and black.
Rebbe David Twersky of Tolna (1808-1882) began serving as rebbe after the passing of his father Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl, in 1837. He was one of the foremost leaders of Ukrainian Jewry, and a rebbe to thousands of Chassidim. His court in Vasilkov (Vasylkiv), and later in Tolna (Talne), was one of the largest and most prominent in his times. Reputedly, many were aroused to repentance from hearing his teachings, including numerous maskilim. R. David was the sixth of the eight illustrious sons of R. Mordechai of Chernobyl. The latter stated: "I and my sons descended to this world to repair the souls of the deceased and the living" (R. Yeshaya Wolf Tzikernik, Sipurim Nifla'im UMaamarim Yekarim, Lviv 1908, p. 6). Rebbe Aharon of Belz would speak of the brothers' exceptional holiness in effusive terms, and stated in the name of his father Rebbe Yissachar Dov: "We cannot conceive the magnitude of their stature", and once, when R. Aharon of Belz mentioned them, his hands shook, and he exclaimed: "They were truly angels… entirely angels…" (Beito Naava Kodesh, Nisan, p. 123).
Stamps of a Chevrat Mishnayot in Chernigov (Chernihiv).
240, [1] pages. Approx. 21 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains to final leaf. Minor wear. Many stamps. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 334.