Magen David, Chassidic essays on the Torah portions and the festivals, by Rebbe David Twersky of Tolna. Lviv, [1880]. Third edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
The author's letter to the printer, with his blessings, is presented at the beginning of the book: "Any wise-hearted man who purchases this book and studies it, I hope it will serve as a cure for his body and soul, in spiritual and material matters, in this world and in the next, he will experience temporary and eternal success…".
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 - disciple of R. Yitzchak of Skver, 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).
104, [1] leaves. Two title pages (without the publisher's foreword and the listing of his lineage, presumably included in some copies only). 23.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Several tears to title pages (affecting several words of author's preface, on the verso of second title page), repaired with paper. Light worming. Stamps. Old binding, damaged.