Auction 98 Early Printed Books, Chassidut and Kabbalah, Books Printed in Jerusalem, Letters and Manuscripts, Jewish Ceremonial Art

Yitav Lev – First Edition – Sighet, 1875

Opening: $500
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium

Yitav Lev, Chassidic, homiletical and ethical discourses on the Five Books of the Torah, by Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Sighet. Sighet (Sighetu Marmației): Maramaroscher Actien-Buchdruckerei, 1875. First edition.


All five parts in two volumes. Main title page at beginning of the first volume, and five abbreviated divisional title pages for each book of the Torah.
The book was printed anonymously in the author's lifetime. The book title is an acronym alluding to the name of the author – "Yitav" stands for Yekutiel Yehudah Teitelbaum. In his introduction, the author explains why he published his work anonymously. He cites the introduction of the Panim Meirot, who was in doubt "whether it's better for a person not to reveal who the author is, or whether there is an obligation to mention the author…". Rebbe Yekutiel Yehudah humbly offers a resolution: "Regarding halachot that pertain to law, it is important to know who the author is and whether he can be relied upon… but regarding aggadah and ethics, what do we need to know the author's name for? The words are proven if they penetrate their listeners' hearts… So I decided it was better to conceal it, since I am ashamed to stand among the ranks of Torah scholars, since my soul knows my little worth…".


Five parts in one volume: [4], 2-141, [2] leaves; [2], 3-91 leaves; [4], 2-55, [2] leaves; [3], 2-80 leaves; [3], 2-52, 55-70 leaves. 24 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and worming to first and last leaves, slightly affecting text. New binding.
Includes all corrigenda leaves for all five parts, bound in various places in this volume.

PLEASE NOTE: Some lot descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to the Hebrew text.

Chassidic Books – Hungary, Sighet and Satmar
Chassidic Books – Hungary, Sighet and Satmar