Torah Or, Chassidic essays on Bereshit and Shemot, Chanukah 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, author of She’erit Yehuda, 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 inquiries, 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. Two title pages. The first title-page printed in red and black. 20 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains. New leather binding.
Stefansky Chassidut, no. 610.
Stamp & lengthy manuscript note dated 1837, likely by the Russian Censer.
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. Thereafter, 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.
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