Torah Or, Chassidic essays on Bereshit-Shemot, Chanuka and Purim, by Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi – the Baal HaTanya. Kopust (Kopys), 1836. First edition.
The book was written from teachings heard directly from the Baal HaTanya by his brother R. Yehuda Leib of Janowiec, and was arranged and edited for print by his disciple and grandson R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch, author of Tzemach Tzedek (1789-1866). While editing and proofreading the book Torah Or, the Tzemach Tzedek did not undertake any other tasks, not even responding to halachic enquiries, being aware of the great responsibility resting upon him. Once the book was printed, the Tzemach Tzedek wrote a missive to his Chassidim describing its importance: "All its words are like burning coals enflaming hearts and drawing them close to their Father in Heaven…" (Igrot Kodesh of the Tzemach Tzedek, Brooklyn 2013, pp. 41-43).
[2], 2-167, [1] leaves. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wear to first leaves. Paper repairs to margins of first title page. Tears to leaves 3, 67 and 154, some slightly affecting text; some repaired with paper. New binding.
This is one of the last books printed in Russia before the 1836 governmental decree to shut down all Jewish printing presses, as a result of defamation by the maskilim. From that time on, only two printing presses, one in Vilna and the other in Zhitomir, were allowed to operate, under the close scrutiny of the Russian government. Part II of this book, on Vayikra-Devarim, was printed only in 1848, under the title Likutei Torah. The second edition of Torah Or was printed in Zhitomir in 1862, with a new section: "Additions to Torah Or", on Bereshit, Shemot and the Book of Esther.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 610.