Auction 63 - Rare and Important Items
Keter Shem Tov, Part I – Teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov – First Edition – Zhovkva, 1794
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000
Unsold
Keter Shem Tov, "All the holy teachings of Rabbi Yisrael the Ba'al Shem Tov" – a compendium of the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov, edited by R. Aharon HaCohen of Zelechow and Apta. Zhovkva, [1794]. First edition. Printed by Yehuda Leib Meir Heffer and by Mordechai Rabin Stein.
The first part of the book Keter Shem Tov – a renowned compendium of the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov, citing his teachings compiled from the books of his disciples, R. Ya'akov Yosef of Polonne and of the Magid of Mezeritch. This book is one of the early printed compilations of the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov and was published in two parts in Zhovkva, 1794-1795.
Approbations by R. Menachem Mendel of Liska and by R. Shlomo of Karlin and by R. Avraham Moshe of Przeworsk appear at the beginning of the book. These are followed by "The testament of the Ba'al Shem Tov". A letter sent by the Ba'al Shem Tov to Eretz Israel, to his brother-in-law, R. Gershon of Kuty is printed on the next leaf.
The author, R. Aharon HaCohen of Zelechow and Apta (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, Vol. 1, p. 157), wrote a number of popular Chassidic books. Among them: Or Ganuz LaTzaddikim, Tefilla Yeshara – Keter Nehora and others. Disciple of R. Azriel Meisels of Ryczywół. Succeeding R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv as Rabbi of Zelechow, he later officiated as Rabbi of Biłgoraj. In 1803, he served as Rabbi of Apta alongside R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, author of Ohev Yisrael.
Several variants were published from this edition, with minor typographic variations and differences in the text of the title pages [see the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, record no. 139450].
The title page and several leaves bear the signatures of Rabbi Shmuel Heller, Rabbi of Safed, signed "Shmuel Heller" [1786-1884, a Torah scholar, proficient in various wisdoms including medicine, he was raised in the home of the Chozeh of Lublin and following his advice, immigrated to Eretz Israel. Officiated as Rabbi of Safed for 60 years], and signatures of Rabbi Moshe Deutsch, son-in-law of R. Shmuel Heller's son, signed "Moshe Deutsch".
[30] leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains and wear. Tears to title page, slightly affecting text (the leaf was professionally repaired). Worming to title page and to several other leaves, repaired. Open tear to top corner of leaf 21, not affecting text, repaired. Small open tears to the margins of three leaves preceding the last leaf, repaired. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 249.
The first part of the book Keter Shem Tov – a renowned compendium of the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov, citing his teachings compiled from the books of his disciples, R. Ya'akov Yosef of Polonne and of the Magid of Mezeritch. This book is one of the early printed compilations of the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov and was published in two parts in Zhovkva, 1794-1795.
Approbations by R. Menachem Mendel of Liska and by R. Shlomo of Karlin and by R. Avraham Moshe of Przeworsk appear at the beginning of the book. These are followed by "The testament of the Ba'al Shem Tov". A letter sent by the Ba'al Shem Tov to Eretz Israel, to his brother-in-law, R. Gershon of Kuty is printed on the next leaf.
The author, R. Aharon HaCohen of Zelechow and Apta (Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, Vol. 1, p. 157), wrote a number of popular Chassidic books. Among them: Or Ganuz LaTzaddikim, Tefilla Yeshara – Keter Nehora and others. Disciple of R. Azriel Meisels of Ryczywół. Succeeding R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdychiv as Rabbi of Zelechow, he later officiated as Rabbi of Biłgoraj. In 1803, he served as Rabbi of Apta alongside R. Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, author of Ohev Yisrael.
Several variants were published from this edition, with minor typographic variations and differences in the text of the title pages [see the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, record no. 139450].
The title page and several leaves bear the signatures of Rabbi Shmuel Heller, Rabbi of Safed, signed "Shmuel Heller" [1786-1884, a Torah scholar, proficient in various wisdoms including medicine, he was raised in the home of the Chozeh of Lublin and following his advice, immigrated to Eretz Israel. Officiated as Rabbi of Safed for 60 years], and signatures of Rabbi Moshe Deutsch, son-in-law of R. Shmuel Heller's son, signed "Moshe Deutsch".
[30] leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains and wear. Tears to title page, slightly affecting text (the leaf was professionally repaired). Worming to title page and to several other leaves, repaired. Open tear to top corner of leaf 21, not affecting text, repaired. Small open tears to the margins of three leaves preceding the last leaf, repaired. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 249.
Chassidic Books
Chassidic Books