Auction 61 - Rare and Important Items
Tehillim - Warsaw, 1864 - Segula - Edition Published by Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz
Opening: $5,000
Sold for: $30,000
Including buyer's premium
Tehillim with Rashi and Metzudot commentaries and Yiddish translation, with Seder Maamadot according to the Rebbe of Apta. Warsaw: R. Nathan Schriftgisser, 1864. Separate title page for Seder Maamadot.
This edition was printed for public benefit at the expense of Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (Nesukhoyezhe), as cited on the title page of his book Toldot Yitzchak (Warsaw, 1868). This volume of Tehillim was known for its segula. The book Zichron Yaakov, the biography of Rebbe Yitzchak (p. 49, new edition p. 84), states that Rebbe Yitzchak himself was involved in the sale of the Tehillim, and would bless each purchaser and often kiss each volume of Tehillim before handing it to its new owner.
Regarding the printing, binding and distribution of this Tehillim, Zichron Tov (Regarding His Charity, subparagraph 4) relates that in 1864 the rebbe decided to finance the printing of Tehillim and sell each volume for only half the printing costs, "in order to spread the custom of reciting Tehillim daily, for the public merit, and in honor of his ancestor King David. The Rebbe printed approximately 6000 volumes… and had them bound in leather" (It is noteworthy that although 6000 copies of the Tehillim were printed, very few remain, and they are considered extremely rare). Rebbe Yitzchak originally intended to sell each volume for only two gulden, but after his beit medrash was destroyed by fire, he raised the price to a full ruble in order to finance its rebuilding. "As each volume was sold, the rebbe would take the Tehillim in his hand and bless the recipient, and would often kiss the Tehillim before handing it to the purchaser". It is also told that Rebbe Yitzchak was known for his reticence in public, but changed this custom during the last year of his life, when he would deliver public discourses of his novellae regarding the weekly Torah portion and Tehillim. While delivering his discourses on Tehillim, "the rebbe would hold… a volume of the Tehillim printed in Warsaw, from which he would expound" (ibid, Regarding his Torah Novellae, subparagraph 11).
The first title page and the title page for Seder Maamadot state that the maamadot were arranged by "the great and holy R. Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta" (author of "Ohev Yisrael". The approbation of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkiv, son of the Ohev Yisrael, appears following the title page for Seder Hamaamadot (taken from the Medzhybizh edition, 1827).
Rebbe Yitzchak of Neschitz (1789-1868) was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neschitz. He was a prime disciple of Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, marrying his granddaughter and delivering Torah thoughts in his name. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Baruch of Medzhybizh and the Seer of Lublin. He was appointed rebbe at a young age and held the position for over 60 years. He was renowned for his prayers, the miracles he performed and his Divine revelations. He was revered as a holy man by all streams of Chassidut, and was acknowledged as one who "facilitates the flow of Heavenly bounty to all the Jewish people" (letter from R. Baruch Shapira, an outstanding chassid of Przysucha and Kotzk). His disciples included Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk, R. Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów and others.
[2], 303, [1], 2-29 leaves. Tehillim is complete; two final leaves of Seder Maamadot are missing (leaves 30-31). 20 cm. Condition varies; most pages in good condition, several pages in fair condition. Stains and wear. Repaired tears to the title page and the following page, with minor damage to text or to the border of the title page. Ownership inscriptions. Paper with "Yahtzeit" information attached to the inner front cover. Original leather binding, worn and damaged.
Stefansky Chassidut, no 655.
This edition was printed for public benefit at the expense of Rebbe Yitzchak of Neshchiz (Nesukhoyezhe), as cited on the title page of his book Toldot Yitzchak (Warsaw, 1868). This volume of Tehillim was known for its segula. The book Zichron Yaakov, the biography of Rebbe Yitzchak (p. 49, new edition p. 84), states that Rebbe Yitzchak himself was involved in the sale of the Tehillim, and would bless each purchaser and often kiss each volume of Tehillim before handing it to its new owner.
Regarding the printing, binding and distribution of this Tehillim, Zichron Tov (Regarding His Charity, subparagraph 4) relates that in 1864 the rebbe decided to finance the printing of Tehillim and sell each volume for only half the printing costs, "in order to spread the custom of reciting Tehillim daily, for the public merit, and in honor of his ancestor King David. The Rebbe printed approximately 6000 volumes… and had them bound in leather" (It is noteworthy that although 6000 copies of the Tehillim were printed, very few remain, and they are considered extremely rare). Rebbe Yitzchak originally intended to sell each volume for only two gulden, but after his beit medrash was destroyed by fire, he raised the price to a full ruble in order to finance its rebuilding. "As each volume was sold, the rebbe would take the Tehillim in his hand and bless the recipient, and would often kiss the Tehillim before handing it to the purchaser". It is also told that Rebbe Yitzchak was known for his reticence in public, but changed this custom during the last year of his life, when he would deliver public discourses of his novellae regarding the weekly Torah portion and Tehillim. While delivering his discourses on Tehillim, "the rebbe would hold… a volume of the Tehillim printed in Warsaw, from which he would expound" (ibid, Regarding his Torah Novellae, subparagraph 11).
The first title page and the title page for Seder Maamadot state that the maamadot were arranged by "the great and holy R. Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apta" (author of "Ohev Yisrael". The approbation of R. Yitzchak Meir of Zinkiv, son of the Ohev Yisrael, appears following the title page for Seder Hamaamadot (taken from the Medzhybizh edition, 1827).
Rebbe Yitzchak of Neschitz (1789-1868) was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai of Neschitz. He was a prime disciple of Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, marrying his granddaughter and delivering Torah thoughts in his name. He was also a disciple of Rebbe Baruch of Medzhybizh and the Seer of Lublin. He was appointed rebbe at a young age and held the position for over 60 years. He was renowned for his prayers, the miracles he performed and his Divine revelations. He was revered as a holy man by all streams of Chassidut, and was acknowledged as one who "facilitates the flow of Heavenly bounty to all the Jewish people" (letter from R. Baruch Shapira, an outstanding chassid of Przysucha and Kotzk). His disciples included Rebbe Elimelech of Grodzisk, R. Yaakov Tzvi of Parysów and others.
[2], 303, [1], 2-29 leaves. Tehillim is complete; two final leaves of Seder Maamadot are missing (leaves 30-31). 20 cm. Condition varies; most pages in good condition, several pages in fair condition. Stains and wear. Repaired tears to the title page and the following page, with minor damage to text or to the border of the title page. Ownership inscriptions. Paper with "Yahtzeit" information attached to the inner front cover. Original leather binding, worn and damaged.
Stefansky Chassidut, no 655.