Megaleh Temirin, a satirical parody on Chassidut and its leaders, [by Joseph Perl]. Vienna, 1819. First edition.
An epistolary parody of Chassidic tales and the Chassidic style of speech. The book is comprised of 151 fictitious letters, exchanged between Chassidim, in effort to prevent the distribution of an anti-Chassidic book. Megaleh Temirin ridicules the Chassidic doctrine, the Chassidic leaders and the faith of the masses in the tzaddikim. It primarily imitates the style of Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov and Sipurei Maasiyot.
The author, Joseph Perl of Tarnopol, Galicia (1773-1839), was a radical maskil, one of the leaders of Galician Haskalah. He dedicated his life to leading an intensive battle against the Chassidim of Galicia, printing anti-Chassidic satires in Hebrew and in Yiddish, denouncing Chassidim to the authorities and harassing them. His actions affected prominent rebbes in Galicia, including R. Yisrael of Ruzhin and R. Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov.
One of the personalities mocked by Joseph Perl in this book is Tamerl Bergson, a Jewish businesswoman and philanthropist, who was the patroness of Chassidic courts in Poland. According to Chassidic lore, the Chozeh of Lublin dubbed her "R. Tamerl". Reputedly, Tamarl, in attempt to eradicate this composition, declared (and had announced in her name in the synagogues of Warsaw) that she would pay three gold coins to whoever would bring her a copy of the book Megaleh Temirim. She then burned all the copies which were brought to her.
[2], 55 leaves. 25 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains (including dark stains) and wear. Tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired. Open tear to one leaf, affecting text. Ownership inscription. Stamps. New leather binding.