Pearls of wisdom on the weekly Torah portions by the Gaon Rabbi Meir Teomim, author of Maggid Meisharim and father of the Pri Megadim. This sefer mentions the Baal Shem Tov during his lifetime.
This first edition was brought to print by Harav Meir Teomim’s son, the Pri Megadim, in Frankfurt, 1782, along with his other sefer, Teivas Gomeh on Torah.
Leaf 29b quotes a passage from a letter sent by Rabbi Gershon Kitover to his brother-in-law, the Baal Shem Tov.
The author inscribes: “I glimpsed a manuscript from the Holy Land that the chassid Rabbi Gershon wrote to his famous brother-in-law, Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, n"y."
”And when I arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem and saw that it was built up with all good things, I fell on my face and wept and said, You, Jerusalem who is like a widow, how do you dress in such handsome clothing?! If only I had seen you in your destruction…”. [
Based on the description, it is obvious that the Maggid Meisharim wrote this during the lifetime of the Baal Shem Tov. This is one of the very first sefarim to mention the Baal Shem Tov during his lifetime.
Additionally, the very fact that Harav Meir Teomim of Frankfurt saw a letter that the Baal Shem Tov had received in Galicia is strong indication that the Chassidic movement had begun spreading wildly during the Baal Shem Tov’s lifetime and that his teachings and spiritual leadership were accepted in Jewish communities across Europe.
Stefansky Sifrei Chassidus #532
Signature of the Gaon Rabbi Meir Zilz (1750-1826) was a leader of his generation and a friend of Rabbi Akiva Eiger. He served as the Rabbi of Lask for nearly 50 years. He gave approbations to many seforim, alongside others leaders of that time. He was eulogized by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Tzintz in his sefer Tiv Chalitzah.
Signature of his son Rabbi Shmuel Zilz Rabbi of Brezin & Povoznick, He wrote Nachalat Shivah in his father’s memory [Breslau, 1827]. He passed away in 1849.
[2] 1-44,[1], 46-79,[1] Leaves. 21 Cm.
Overall Good condition, some stains, first couple pages have small marginal tears, last few pages have some marginal worming, new purple leather binding with owners name.
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Lot #224